<p>Hi, I am a Tenth Grade student in New York, and I am incredibly excited (and nervous) about my future. I have a few questions to ask some of the more experienced CCers about admissions. As of right now, my preferred colleges include UPitt, PSU at University Park, UNC Chapel Hill, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Maryland and Villanova (as of right now, PSU is my #1 choice and I am a legacy there). My prospective major is Finance (or somewhere in the business field). I am really just asking for help in the right college choices for my prospective major, what I should do for the rest of my tenth grade year as well as my 11th grade year (academic-wise), and what are some ECs i should get involved in to better my chances at these Universities. If needed, I can provide my current UW and W GPA (I am an AP/Honors Student). I have also take the PSAT. Thank you to anyone reading this and please reply back ASAP!</p>
<p>The single most important thing that you need to do, is to sit down with your parents (or whoever else will be helping pay for your education), and talk about where the money will come from. Find out what they ate ready, willing, and able to pay each year. Find out if they will pay for an additional year if you need one.</p>
<p>Then, run the Net Price Calculator at the website of each place on your list. Compare those numbers with your family’s number. At this point your parents may require some fortifying adult beverages and/or soft tissues. Bring them the good stuff.</p>
<p>Then point them to the Financial Aid Forum, so they can read up on the money issues.</p>
<p>Until you know what is and isn’t affordable for your family, your entire list is moot.</p>
<p>Thank you for the reply, but my family has the financial part of college figured out so I’m told. I meant academically and with extra-curriculars.</p>
<p>It still is worth your time to find out what your family means when they say that. Too many kids find out too late that what their familys plan to pay, and what the colleges think they should pay are very different things. Some end up with no place to go, and have to tak unplanned gap years.</p>
<p>Without your GPA, potential major, and test scores, it is hard for us to advise you on your list. If you post that information, someone here will surely have ideas for you.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>Sorry, I just realized that you did post your major!</p>
<p>As for ECs, the advice is that you pursue things that you are interested in. So yes, if you love the bagpipe, it really is OK if you spend every spare minute in bagpipe-related activities.</p>
<p>I cannot thank you enough for all your help! My current ECs are Soccer (JV first 2 years, most likely making varsity next year), Concert Band (first 2 years, had to drop music to fit more APs into my schedule, will be joining an after school Jazz Ensemble), Quizbowl (part of the JV squad my first year [top 8 on the team of 21]), Secretary in my school’s School of Business Club (only under-classman in the club, will most likely be President starting next year), Part of Sophomore Class Council (running for a position next year), and will be participating in a summer internship at a hospital near me. Currently have 20 hours of Community Service (will be raising this, and plan on doing more with my church).</p>
<p>GPA UW: 3.52 (still have 1.5 quarters to go, showing upward trend since freshman year, have been on honor roll every quarter, highest honors one quarter)</p>
<p>GPA W: 3.6 (still time, this will increase by the end of junior year)</p>
<p>List of Interest:
1- Penn State University Park (Legacy [Dad and Uncle])
2- Notre Dame (Catholic)
3- UNC
4- Virginia
5- Villanova</p>
<p>SAFES:
UPitt
Maryland
Syracuse
SUNY Binghamton</p>