<p>Hey guys, the purpose of this thread is just to help myself plan for the future, because I have absolutely no idea what to do in the coming years. I'm a freshman (2017) and I want to know what I can do for a head start. I have all A's and plan to keep in that way through out HS. I want to take IB and probably will, but I'm not sure if I should go with AP or IB. I took the Princeton Review Practice Test and got a 1520, I really want to raise that to a 2100+ by Junior to Senior year. I just need the advice to do that and make it happen. For example, what should I start for EC's? I'll really appreciate any advice given. </p>
<p>I also have another question regarding class rank and how AdComs decide. For example, if my friend and I have a 4.0 UW and take Spanish 3 H in 9th grade while my friend takes Spanish 1 H with a 4.0 UW, who has the higher class rank and who gets into the prestigous college? In other words, does difficulty or level of class differentiate class rank, and do colleges reject one and take the other because of it? Another situation would be in which I have a 3.9 UW with that higher level class, who would get the admission? </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Good on you for starting early, it’ll reward you in the end. </p></li>
<li><p>You will be able to get it up to 2100+, but don’t fret if you can’t get that ASAP. A lot of the math you might not have learned yet, and the other skills come naturally in your english classes. I wouldn’t worry about it and maybe start prepping Sophomore year. Get some review books and go over those as well as the practice tests. </p></li>
<li><p>As far as ECs go, try and get involved in something that you love. If you’re a STEM person, join those clubs. Maybe try out for a sport. The most important thing is that you show commitment and leadership. You may not be able to get a leadership position until junior-senior year, and you may only be able to get 1-3.</p></li>
<li><p>You will have an equal class rank but obviously Spanish 3 H is more difficult. You can both get into a prestigious college as it’s only your foreign language and he probably had an advantage in getting into that higher level class Freshman year. Difficulty does not differentiate class rank (unless it is an AP class or a class that gives higher than a 4.0), and colleges would look at both holistically. Obviously if one took all AP/honors classes and the other took all normal classes, and they both received a 4.0 UW GPA, the one with higher rigor would have a stronger chance at a higher level University. But if you’re asking about Spanish… one class won’t make a difference. </p></li>
<li><p>If the higher level one had a 3.9 UW, he would probably still have a slight edge. However, as a Duke Adcom said… You need to get an A in the AP/honors class. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>You can’t really use specific examples like that, admissions are very holistic in review and one course or one aspect of the application cannot be seen without looking at the others as well. A 3.6 GPA may get in because he has fantastic essays and ECs, while the 4.0 2400 SAT may get rejected because that’s all he has.</p>
<p>I agree with Hobbithopeful; keep in mind you WILL change over the next few years, so be prepared to be swung every direction with your interests. Have fun!</p>
<p>You’re my savior Hobbit! The SAT I took was with no studying at all, no review, just go do it. I am in Spanish 3 and it’s good to know what you said since the example I stated was a debate between myself and a good friend of mine. I’m in Alg 2 H currently but nothing on the practice SAT seemed amiss from what I’ve already done. I’m going to try out for JV or Varsity Tennis since I’m pretty good and my school isn’t too gifted in that area. My authoritarian mother makes me hop on the Barron’s SAT book an hour a day, hopefully that will help too. I’m doing debate and Math Olympiad as well (AMC 10 in Jan.) just trying to do what I can. If you don’t mind me by asking, what is your status regarding college, where do you go and what did you do? The profiles of the individuals on the forums is beyond diverse and I want to model around the great profiles I see on the site. I also understand the comparison at the end, looking at the various forums indicates that there is no “formula” which is a commonplace belief in my friends. Thanks so much for taking your time to respond, it is greatly appreciated, thanks also to ch4lkstain for that small piece of knowledge. :)</p>
<p>Another concern that just passed my mind regards online classes. I joined about a week late in my HS due to moving to another state, the Alg 2 H classes was booked and at it’s max, so they gave me the ultimatum to redo Geo or take the class online. I opted for the online and I realize it shows up as such on my transcript. Is this a cause for concern, do colleges necessarily discriminate based on the fact it was online? </p>
<p>Secondly, another situation is such that I can graduate early a semester due to my Span. 2 and Geo classes in my previous middle school being HS accredited and accepted by my current school. They both were not honours but I got A’s in both. Does this change GPA in any way, and since I’m taking IB I realize that I can’t graduate early, would you recommend graduating early completing IB. I’m really pointing towards IB since it’s just a semester. Thanks again. :)</p>
<p>Imo only good reason to take IB is to get credit for tests you can’t through AP (unless you were planning on studying at a university outside of US).</p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend it if you have AP as option, but it really depends on the school. So ultimately it’s up to you to decide.</p>
<p>Lol I wish i had found this site freshman year. Most important thing is to keep your unweighted GPA at 3.8+ and take hard classes. Besides that, join a bunch of clubs and sports as mentioned above and try to get some good positions… Don’t worry about the SAT till later.</p>
<p>SAT/ACT:
1)SAT is a test that tests you on techniques. Collegeboard will be revamping their SAT in
2)Use official collegeboard’s SAT prep book.
3)Read often. Seriously. It will help you.</p>
<p>ECs:
1)Don’t just join all clubs because you want to fill up your resume.</p>
<p>Academics/GPA:
1)Don’t fill up your schedule with all APs/IBs. Only take what you are interested in.</p>
<p>Getting a headache… going to stop here for now… :/</p>
<p>Thanks Spirral, do you happen to know any good novels that you might have read freshman year? I want to do what can accommodate me properly, but things that I genuinely love, but the large HS I’m in doesn’t have anything like that. </p>
<p>Thanks to you to idkhur, I found it due to my brother telling me to look at his chance thread and I’m unable to leave! Haha :)</p>
<p>Also, I want to address my previous 2 concerns, can I have some before and afters of fellow CC’ers as in where they applied, stats/EC’s, and then how that turned out for them? This is in addition to my question regarding online classes. Thanks :D</p>