<p>I'm in 9th grade right now and I just wanted to see if I'm on the right track to get into a good school. Can you guys just tell me if I'm on the right track based on what I'm doing. I go to a really good private school and got 5 A's and like 2 B's last semester, two of those A's being honors classes (in the only subject which theyre offered). I play trombone (all-state), trumpet, and piano (also compete in festivals, theory and solo). I play lacrosse and our school is ranked #2 in Delaware and am starting on JV right now. I also play at the elite travel level. I've been raising money for MS since I was in 5th grade and look to put in more hours next year. I am taking spanish now and I'm starting using Rosetta Stone to learn Chinese since my school doesnt offer it. I was just wondering if I am looking good in the long run and what else I should start doing to look good on my college applications.</p>
<p>You’re on the right track for a great college experience it seems. But no one at this point can say whether an ultra selective college like Yale will be a viable choice for you in 3 years. </p>
<p>Best advice for you now? Take the hardest classes possible and excel in them. Certainly easier said than done but academic excellence is the most common them among viable candidates.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>You should start preparing for the SAT/ACT/PSAT/SAT IIs every single day because you need perfect scores. Like seriously. Buy 500 review books and practice for 45 minutes every night. Also, join like 10 or so clubs at your school and pray you get selected as President or Editor-in-Chief or Student Leader. Colleges really like that. You should also try and exercise a ton so you can be on like three varsity sports. You really need to be well rounded. OH! Also do 6000 hours of community service like no lie… I know one kid who did 5000 hours and she got in to Harvard. You don’t need passion or anything… just prepare every single night for college and you’ll totally get in.</p>
<p>mchammer312, you’re funny…I like it.</p>
<p>On a more serious note just do your best and don’t focus too much on college, you’re only a freshmen after all and you don’t want to burn out. There will be people who put their LIFE into college admissions and get rejected to Yale while some people who apply on a whim will get in. Those things are way beyond your control, what is within your reach is just enjoying your life and doing well at the things you enjoy. Don’t take part in activities that mean nothing to you, colleges can often see through that. I know it’s not what you want to hear, but given your obvious work ethic I’m sure you’ll do amazing for yourself. Just have fun doing it!</p>
<p>Just remember to participate in something because you LOVE it, not because it looks impressive.
Passion and Commitment - Those are the qualities colleges look for
Moreover, remember colleges want a student who excel academically but also is socially active. So be well-rounded. Colleges accept people, not just numbers.</p>
<p>Good luck
Never too early to start :)</p>
<p>Bluecoast and NYC_dream1 I TOTALLY agree with you guys.</p>
<p>College admissions are about looking impressive, but impressive in your own right, not just doing something because you think its impressive. </p>
<p>THLax9… Youre definitely on the right track, but like everyone else has said, do things because you have a passion for them and you will be able to have genuine experiences to write about in your admissions essays (also a pretty important part of the admission process)</p>
<p>On that note… there will be times you have to do something you dont want to do or dont have a passion for simply because it needs to be done (ie a project you dont want to do, or a volunteer job that is something you dont like, but you need to do it for something else…) it will happen, and you should do them out of work ethic alone, but always chase your own interests. </p>
<p>I know the Ivies, and Yale in particular, are peoples “dream” schools, but if you do your research, you might actually find you fit in a different university - dont run yourself ragged thinking its the only way to have a happy college experience. Chase your ambitions and go where you feel is the best “fit” for you – You’ll know where is right with gut feeling alone most of the times</p>