<p>I'm only a sophomore in highschool, but I'm already worried about how I'll do in the world of college admissions.
I go to a VERY competitive highschool (we were ranked in the top 100 schools last year). Although I took two honors classes last year (the most I could take) and got As throughout the year, my class rank was still not very impressive because the school is so competitive. Will colleges realize that my low rank is due to my school and not my academic standing?
How much will 1 or 2 Bs affect my chances if the rest of my grades are As?
My ECs and clubs so far include cooking classes (which I love), an audition-only singing group, community service, a leading position at my school's art and literary magazine, and some politcal activity. I also did a week at Brown U over the summer.
My dad thinks I don't have anywhere near enough ECs (he was the founder of the Astronomy club at his school), and it's scaring me.
I'm hoping to apply to some selective schools (Amherst, Williams, Haverford, Reed, and Carleton are right up there) and I guess I'm just worried.
Any advice??</p>
<p>My advice? You're a sophomore. Dont worry right now. Do what you like for fun. Work hard, and try and get A's. You can think about colleges in a year. But right now, enjoy yourself.</p>
<p>Yeah. Relax. Get your studies done and find something you love to do for ECs. I'd bet a dollar that an admissions officer can spot a "loaded" high school resume from a mile away. IANAAO, but I'd rather admit someone who had genuine experiences rather than the same Type A hoop-jumping overachiever resume from a "VERY competitive high school" student that I've already seen 1,000 times.</p>
<p>Think of it this way -- instead of forcing yourself into someone else's mould, become who you want to be and then find a college that fits you. I'm sure this may not be the conventional wisdom on CC, but you are only a sophomore. There's still time to save you.</p>
<p>Relax. Work hard, but have fun at the same time. Colleges will know that your school is comptetitive. They know that some schools are more demanding and challenging than others. </p>
<p>But right now, you should just chill. Work hard in your classes, but take what you like.</p>
<p>Ask Google, e.g., carleton "common data set"; it is available for each of the schools you listed. The CDS gives a profile of the students which were admitted for the last entering class. It includes both statistics and factors which each school considers important in the admissions process, as well as data about financial aid. The form is the same for every school (most publish this info) so it allows easy comparison of the included data. I find it one of the best tools for providing a preliminary indication of admission chances.</p>
<p>It seems every kid on this site believes they go to a very competitive high school. First, understand that most of the very competitive schools in the US are not on the Newsweek list. They do not include a single private school or the public maget schools tht require a test for admission. They also leave off all parochial schools, many of which are better than the publics in their area.</p>
<p>So first figure out if your school is actually really competitive. Is the average SAT score over 1300 old? Do 99% of grads attend 4 year colleges? Do over 10% go to ivies and ivy like schools?</p>
<p>If you can answer yes to all of those questions, than being below top ten percent in your class will still put you in the running at top colleges if you have everything else.</p>
<p>As for ECs, it's no tnumber it's passion, depth, committment and accomplishment.</p>
<p>
[quote]
My dad thinks I don't have anywhere near enough ECs (he was the founder of the Astronomy club at his school
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Big deal. That's not much more impressive (if any) than your current ECs. You can tell him I said that. :D The fact that you're thinkin a/b it at a sophomore is a good sign. Stay on track.</p>
<p>get A's
take honors/ap's/ib's</p>
<p>and tell your parents to shut up.</p>
<p>seriously
ur doing fine</p>
<p>I agree--parents (like me) mean well, but it's really up to you to do what you want with your life. As Robin Williams said, "there is no dress rehearsal for life, everyday is the real thing". </p>
<p>Take your interest in cooking, for example. Did you know that Mario Battali (who won the James Beard award for best chef in 2005 and is one of the "Iron Chefs" on the Food Channel) graduated from Rutgers with a dual degree in Spanish Theatre and Economics? Not exactly what you would have expected, I'll bet. Now he runs a $65 million empire, and is married to the lady whose family founded the "Coach" handbag business (current yearly sales of $1.3 billion).</p>
<p>Do what you love and you'll have a better life. Besides, your passion for what you love will show through and lead you to success.</p>
<p>Thanks, all.</p>
<p>No, my school IS competitive. I live in a university town, so everyone's parent is an academic. EVERYONE's. 98% of the grads go to a four-year college, and although many of them go to the local one (UNC-CH), many others DO go to Ivies.
The list that we were on #39 for DID include charter schools, so I'm not sure which list you're referring to... Sorry :)</p>
<p>I definitely feel that I AM doing things I love, so according to you all everything will just "fall into place"... We'll see :)</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Relaaaaaaaaaaax and work on your EC a bit more. Why worry? You still have 2 more years. I'm a Sop as well. And I think you do even better than me so fear not. </p>
<p>Here's what I'm doing right now:</p>
<p>Academics: I am taking challenge courses that I think I am capable of learning it well. (My talent is 80% about math and another 20% is art.)</p>
<p>EC: I currently think about starting a library club, key club and Asian club. </p>
<p>SAT and ACT prep: I am about to take Princton review and I go to tutoring that my teachers offer me after school everyday.</p>
<p>My college choice: 1) Harvard 2) John Hopkin 3) UCLA</p>
<p>I'm choosing pretty tough school to be in. So are you. I think we just need to clam down and follow teacher's advise about college. When I was a Freshman, I was really freaking out about going to college. And I did try a lot of weird thing to prepare for college. In the end of Fresh. year I found out that what I did was WORTHLESS. So I decided to listen to my tutor and follow his advise step by step. Don't rush thing. Just go throught the step smoothly and you will be doing ok.(I don't know if I make sense or not for last sentence.)</p>