NHS

@twogirls I feel like I wanna do the SAT first because it can also be good practice for the PSAT, which is important for National Merit Recognition. I will prob take the SAT in November and if I get around a 1520-1530, then I will study for the ACT, prob using their test prep on their website and prep books and try to take the ACT in February. I would like to score around a 33 or 34 composite and I think I probably would be done and happy.

Also, @twogirls I might take the Chemistry and Math I Subject Test in August at a different high school near me bc my school doesn’t offer the August date.

I thought you took the PSAT? There is nothing wrong with taking subject tests, but keep in mind that it’s also very important to apply to schools that do not require them. You need safety and match schools.

@twogirls I took the PSAT for my first time as a sophomore, just to see how well I would do (1080 is my sophomore score from October 2018) I’m talking about next year preparing to take the PSAT as a junior.

I’m still confused about my EC’s, are they Ivy League worthy or not bc I have a passion for these and have a drive to be the best I can be, which I think is something that gets you into the Ivy League and Stanford, apart from a great gpa and great test scores.

I didn’t realize that you can take the PSAT twice, but it seems you can.

Please do not focus on Ivy League and similar schools. They are reach schools for everybody, including students with perfect test scores who graduate #1 in their class. Most do not get in despite being qualified.

Here is my advice: work hard and keep up your gpa taking classes that are appropriate for you, stretch yourself academically if you want …and if you can do this without too much stress, study for your SAT, and stay involved in HS doing activities that you enjoy. If you do these things, there will be plenty of colleges that will be happy to have you.

I see that you may take the subject tests. The most competitive schools in the country require these tests. I caution you to also look for schools that will be a more likely acceptance for you. Everybody should do that…even those with perfect scores etc.

I will try and answer the question regarding your ECs.

Getting into schools such as Stanford, Columbia, Duke…etc…does not mean having a checklist of “things.” It does not mean sitting up at night trying to figure out what ECs to join that will give you an edge. That’s not how it works…

Students who attend these schools, as well as brilliant kids ( the same caliber kids) all over the country who didn’t get in…and attend honors colleges in “lesser” schools…don’t think the way you do, They are not asking people to judge the worth of their ECs, etc. So…what exactly are they doing?

They are getting out there and doing what they love, without thinking about it. They are doing what they love…because that is who they are…it is what drives them. It is what pushes them. They are organizing community events, raising money for charities, becoming editors of the yearbook, tutoring students for years and years, presenting at science fairs, perfecting their stick handling skills every night for 3-4 hours…because that is who they are. They are watching the news in a foreign language at 5:00 am and going to the library to get books in foreign languages, and then taking their skills to the local elementary school to teach this language in a club, etc…totally on their own…through their drive. Nobody tells them to do it. They don’t ask if their activities are worthy…they just do them…their behavior shows their passion. They do not say that they are passionate…they show it.

What happens next? Junior year, once they have test scores, they meet with their guidance counselor or another adult. They sit down and craft a reasonable list of schools including safeties, matches, and perhaps…some reaches. They also make sure to have affordable options.

I am asking if my current ECs are good. I enjoy my current ECs and I want feedback about them.

You have gotten plenty of feedback about your ECs.

I know it’s hard to tell if my ECs are good or not because I barely described them @twogirls

I’m saying from everybody else @twogirls

@twogirls You have gave excellent advice to me and I am very thankful for that. I am confused because there are people who like my EC’s and others in which I’m confused about their actual answer relating to my EC’s.

If you go back and read their responses, the answers should become clear. Your club doesn’t matter. What matters is what you actually DO within the club.

@twogirls I am going to try to obtain leadership positions in my clubs as much as I can.

Don’t conflate leadership with leadership positions. AOs won’t make that mistake.

@skieurope What’s the difference?

The difference is that you can be a leader without having a title, and you can have a title and suck as a leader.

An example I’ve used before: In the NHL, each team starts the season with a 23 man roster. Generally, each team will also have a captain and 2 alternate captains. Does that mean that the other 20 guys are not leaders on the ice and/or in the locker room? No. Vets mentor rookies, as an example. Additionally, in the NHL, goalies cannot be captains or alternates (well, they can, but it’s a longer explanation that I’m not getting into). But nobody should suggest that Sergei Bobrovsky or Braden Holtby or Henrik Lundqvist are not leaders.

@skieurope @twogirls I will give more further information on my EC’s later on and describe them more and give more academic feedback in the future about GPA raise or test scores.

Should I consider Marine Bio Club for a prospective Environmental Engineering Major?

You are going into your junior year. Joining the Marine Bio club is very nice if you enjoy marine bio and find the club interesting, etc. If…however…you think that adding another club to your list is going to make you stand out, that will not happen.

Do what you enjoy, focus on your grades and tests, and craft an appropriate list of schools when the time comes.