<p>Hi, I am a class 10 student in India.
I have been going through CC forums for quite a few days now and just decided to create an account. </p>
<p>I plan to apply to the States and hopefully to one of the top Universities (By which I mean some of the more selective ones, like the Ivies). This is all I've been thinking about since the last week, and even though my exams are coming up, I have spent a lot of time on college research.
I would like to know what I can do increase my odds and what more I need on my resume to have a significant chance. I am ready to put in any amount of work to get into a good college. </p>
<p>-I had a 9.2 CGPA in 9th grade, which is 87.4%, but I can easily improve upon that if try. And I will try this year.
-I play the guitar, am involved in music and band competitions in my school and will have a 5 or 6 Grade Trinity Certificate in Guitar by the time I apply.
-I participate in debates and I can rely on having a few inter-school debating and MUN prizes by the time I apply.
-I will start preparing for the SAT early, so as to acheive the best result possible.
-I will be sitting in a couple of english and other such olympiads at the end of this year.
-I will probably be able to secure a good leadership position in the school cabinet when I reach 12th grade. </p>
<p>I will be grateful for any advice. To get into a good college, is seemingly all I want now. </p>
<p>All in all, school grades are very important! You must maintain a 90%+ in every subject, In every class.
Also, you must rank in the top 10% of the class for a good uni, and I’m the Top5% for an ivy.
These are not the prerequisites, however, still strong recommended.
Get involved.
Get involved in the community.
Do some volunteering, try for an internship after 10th, in the summer possibly.
Get involved in wht you love. Colleges love in-depth involvement than in-breadth involvement I.e they would consider a person with 4-5 years of involvement in a particular thing rather than a 1 year involvement in a lot of activities.
Increase/improve your vocabulary. It does help you a long way :)</p>
<p>Colleges tend to overlook freshmen year. If you have anything above 80-85, you are fine.
As Rew already said, follow your passion as you EC, do community service because YOU want to, not to get into a college. Start the SAT prep and try to get a 2100+.
And enjoy High School. Don’t fret.</p>
<p>As mrinal already said, getting scores in 80-85 is good enough. Universities usually don’t care much about tw freshman year ( grade 9).
They however pay close attention to the grade 11 scores and are considered very important by adcoms.
Also, unless you’re a American citizen /PR living in India, PSAT won’t help you at all. It’s the scholarship test for US citizens. They however will help you prepare for SAT1s In a equivalent way.
Prepare, prepare for SAT1s. It is STRONGLY suggested that you be done with then in 11th itself! (possibly by November, December month.)
Unlike many of the 17ers, you don’t want to get all burdened up and repent later in 12th :)</p>