<p>I'm completley new, and have no idea at all what I am looking for. I am quite terrified at the moment, because my friends are already talking about college and what they want to do with their lives. I'm only going into my sophmore year of high school this fall, and was previously not very worried about college. I knew I wanted to go to a good university, and get a good job, but beyond that it was all a little speculative for me. But I've been looking into college recently and worrying, because geting into a good college looks hard, both academically and econmically (to understate it a little). Help!</p>
<p>I'll just state some basics and anwser any questions. I'm extremely intrested in History, Geography, Philosophy, Politics and most subjects in general. I also love to travel and to study different cultures. I would be happiest with a job that makes a difference in the world, as chessey as that sounds. My teachers say that I have very good writing skills, despite the apparent condradiction on this very page. I'm decent at math, as long as I study, which brings us to the cause of my worry.</p>
<p>This year my grades weren't very good. Even considering that I'm in the extremely challenging International Baccalaurette program, the weren't as good as they could have been. I passed all my classes, but I had a few C's. Any thoughts or advice?</p>
<p>P.S. I apologise for both the length and incoherentcy this post (It's my first) and my complete novice. Love the site though.</p>
<p>You can still have a shot at top colleges because you're only a rising sophomore. Don't get any more C's. Upward curves are favorable. Stop worrying about colleges and think about what you're passionate about. Enhance your extracurricular resume with clubs you care about, teams of sports/activities you're good at, and volunteer work. For example, with your interests, join the debate team.</p>
<p>Thats really good advice, I'll do my best to follow it. Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Here is what I wish I'd been told as an upcoming sophomore:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>It's ok if you got marginal grades your freshman year, because colleges like to see improvement. Work hard, bring up your scores and show them that you have a good work ethic.</p></li>
<li><p>Get involved in longterm ECs-- if you're into sports, theatre, debate, music, whatever, get involved and stay involved for the rest of high school. Colleges are impressed by commitment and it will look best if you've been involved in certain ECs all four years.</p></li>
<li><p>Community Service-- Start doing community service and just like the ECs, pick one or two causes and work for them consistently for all of high school.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I'll be a senior next year and I can tell you the thing that I regret most was not paying more attention to my grades. I screwed up sophomore year, as it sounds you did, and had to work really hard junior year to make up for it. I think that if you want to be accepted to the better schools in America you must do your best to be in the top 10%.</p>
<p>Also, buy the Collegeboard book and start practicing for the SAT. Like me, you'll need high standardized test scores in order to counterbalance your dip in grades.</p>
<p>I am also very interested in History, Politics, Philosophy, etc. and want a job that will "change the world." You almost sound like a one-year younger version of me, as creepy and cyber-stalkerish as it may sound.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a private message, I'd be glad to help you out.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help, you have no idea (well actually you probably do) what a relief it is to hear that advice. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>Well, I've just decided that next year I'm not going to let bad grades sneak up on me, and just study for everything. I'll try the debate team and see if I like it ( how could someone stubborn, argumentitive and opinionated not?) and find some other stuff to keep me busy. I already have cross country, which I LOVE, and to get my IB diploma I need lot's of volunteer hours, so finding a pet cause is a good idea. They made the IB students take PSAT last december, and I did well on the reading and writing, and ok on the math.
Thanks again!</p>
<p>Many top schools will consider a strong upward trend. There are some who will not, but you can definitely overcome the situation. You know what you need to do and it can be accomplished. If a college is going to give you a break for a bad year, I can assure you that your biggest break will be for a bad freshman year. To let you know, my son had a horrible freshman year, started turning it around in his sophomore year, and will be attending a top LAC in the fall.</p>
<p>I didn't care about college at all as a freshman... it was the last thing I worried about (although I didn't have to worry much). Colleges just want to see an upward curve, they want to see improvement. So just do your best to improve!</p>