Low stats...Please help me

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Everyone seems to have amazing stats...mine definitely aren't. So...could someone help me in the right direction? I know I'm a junior, but I'm extremely paranoid and worried. Anything that could ease my mind or point me in a direction would be awesome. </p>

<p>Female
from OH
I'm currently a junior in high school (public, but excellent reputation)
I'm white, but I might be changing that to Asian-American (my dad is from India, my mom is from Germany, so technically...)
Current GPA: 3.1/4.0
PSAT: 164 (Critical Reading:55 |Math: 51 |Writing: 58)
No AP classes, English Honors sophmore & junior year if that counts...honors senior year - maybe move up to AP, and probably AP American Gov't next year. </p>

<p>My freshman year, I had a pretty good GPA, 3.8. Then sophmore year, due to medical problems, it dropped to a 3.1. I'm currently raising it again, which is pretty hard. Last quarter I had a 3.3, and I'll find out how this quarter/semester goes after mid-term exams in mid. January. </p>

<p>About 20.5 hours of volunteering at our local library with kiddie programs (just started last summer).
Freshman year I was in Women's Issues club.
This year I'm in a literary journal club (my friends and I restarted it at our school)
I don't participate in any school sports.
I have been horseback riding since 6th grade - I own a horse and compete. We've won Champion and Reserve Champion on our ciricuit. I would like to continue riding in college.
I don't have a job, but I will be looking from one after mid-term exams. </p>

<p>English (creative writing) is something I'm leaning to because I love it, and due to my dad's insanity, something in Business. International Business sounds fun, but I have a hard time learning new languages...soo, not sure. Also, Journalism is something I'm looking into - magazine specifically. </p>

<p>Universities:
American U (really want)
Ohio U
Miami U (eh, it's in state...not really my thing though)
Bowling Green State U
Syracuse U
U. of Missouri (Columbia)
U. of South Carolina (Columbia) </p>

<p>Anyone? Suggestions, comments, etc.?</p>

2

<p>Your preliminary list looks good. Try to visit schools during your spring break - maybe add a couple of LAC's such as Wooster or Wittenberg. </p>

<p>Your GC will be able to include your medical issue in his/her rec. Make it clear this is an issue that has been cleared. </p>

<p>Start actively working on SAT prep about 6-8 weeks before you take the test for the first time. </p>

<p>You are starting in on this process early enough to get everything in good order by the time you apply. Its a lot of work better this year and next, but you will be fine!</p>

3

<p>work on your ecs while you still have time...really focus on something, like lit journal club whcih seems like something your interested in and become an officer...maybe if you have a newspaper at your school, you could try to join...and most of all, become good friends wiht two teachers that you like...make sure they kno you very well and then can write awesome letters for you...keep the upward trend of grades and dont forget to mention your health problems in your apps, possibly your essays...and be sure to take those AP classes next year...theyre a real gpa booster</p>

4

<p>Thanks a lot! Now I don't feel so terrible. I'll definitely work on my ec's and look more into colleges. I'm hoping to go look at a few in the spring. </p>

<p>I did try for the school newspaper, but due to my medical stuff, we were hesitant if I would be reliable enough. So, I did the next best thing (which now I think is a lot better, but I'm biased!), the literary journal. :)</p>

<p>Again, thank you. :)</p>

5

<p>hm, anyone else? Anymore advice? Other colleges I should take a look at? Since, I know my stats aren't that great...but I don't want to go to a big party school (yeah, I know OU, but it's good for journalism). </p>

<p>Happy holidays to all.</p>

6

<p>Take a look at Earlham. You could bring your horse with you to school! :) We visited and my wife and I LOVED the place, but for some strange reason the future college student didn't.</p>

7

<p>Is earlham extremely religious? I definitely am not...nor am I quaker. </p>

<p>How is their financial aid? no way I could afford that tuition...</p>