<p>Hi, I'm new to this site. I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this thread under so please let me know if it is incorrect..</p>
<p>I'll tell you some things about me:
-I'm a high school freshman at a good public school in California.
-I have straight A's.
-I was valedictorian at a middle school of 2200 students.
-I am planning on taking all AP classes once I become a sophomore (freshman can't take any APs).
-I have been in orchestra since the 6th grade
-I have 115 hours of community service from working as a CIT (summer '10) at a sports camp.
-I am on the track team at my school.
-I studied in Italy with students from all over the world for two weeks.</p>
<p>I took a mock SAT exam in the middle of 8th grade and scored 1990. I am taking the PSAT this year just to get a feel of the test (it doesn't count until junior year). I also plan on taking part in the People-to-People Student Ambassador program next summer. I am also going to start volunteering at a local animal shelter.</p>
<p>I would just like some advice on what programs I should take part in and what kind of activities I should do to create a straight path to a prestigious Ivy league such as Princeton or Yale. I understand that my experiences aren't the most impressive but that's why I need help!</p>
<p>I know I need more things concerning leadership and community service, but I just have no idea what kind of things I just participate in. I'll try to get into student council or journalism next year but I don't know if those are going to work out (SC is vote, journalism is lottery). </p>
<p>The single most important thing for you to do, is to sit down with your parents and run the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) Then when you have the results, talk with them about how they expect that your family will pay for your education. Can they pay the EFC each year? If they can, how much more than that can they pay? If they can’t, how much can they really pay? Do they expect you to work while you are in high school so that you can help pay for college? Do they expect you to work while you are in college to help pay your expenses? Is it OK with them if you take loans to help pay for your education? Until you know the answer to the money question, you really can’t go any further in this process.</p>
<p>happymomof1, I understand that finding out what your family can afford for college is important, but I think it is way too early at this point for OP to be thinking about the detailed financial aid aspects of college. It’s good to know in a broad sense how much money would be realistic for the family, but honestly, are you going to decide already at this point what kind of college you’re going to attend? Are you going to, say, resolve now not to attend a higher-tier school because your family won’t be able to afford the tuition? I know people in life who did this---- that is, they picked schools early on that are good “fit” financially but not necessarily in the overall sense----and much regretted it in the end. </p>
<p>Your family may qualify for substantial financial aid. If you work hard enough and your grades are high enough, you may end up with scholarship at the college that you do sincerely want to attend by that point. Other circumstances may come up that alter the financial circumstance of your family. I think at this point, it’s simply important for the OP to try out different things in school that seem to interest her, find something that she loves and delve into it, and keep at a GPA that she would be happy with. Everything else will fall into place as time goes on.</p>
Thre is no “straight path” that’s going to guarantee you get in; for even the best students the competition is strong for slots at top schools.</p>
<p>doing well in challenging classes is your first priority. Keep in mind that you’ll need recs for college, so even if you’re smart being the class smart-mouth isn’t going to do you any favors.</p>
<p>As a high school senior,
I recommend many things for high school. You will work harder than you have ever worked before–get used to it. Enjoy freshman and sophomore years while you can–junior and senior year are extremely stressful. However, always maintain A’s. Participate in groups/clubs/sports all four years that you want to be in and don’t hesitate in joining them. Also, don’t eliminate your college choices until you are a senior, especially because of price.</p>
<p>Yes, it is true that chelseafcfan shouldn’t really have to worry about the money just yet, but if his/her parents aren’t alert to the situation, it is time he/she gave them a heads-up. All too many parents don’t think about this until the student’s senior year in high school. I’ve read too many “How are we going to pay for college?” threads started by these families. I don’t want chelseafcfan and his/her family to be asking that question four years from now.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I really appreciate all your help, especially mikemac. And for happymomof1 and calico, I don’t think money would be an issue because I have four aunts who adore me haha I’m sorry I know that sounds really snobby and conceited but it is what it is! My younger sister and I are the only ones left to send off to higher education since my cousins are all old. haha am I sharing too much? Anyways, I still am going to check out those sites. Thank you.</p>
<p>And DCorBust, I appreciate the advice about not hesitating to join clubs.</p>
<p>Wow you guys are all so helpful! Thanks. I’m grateful for any advice at all so please post if you have anything to say.</p>
<p>Guys I am planning on starting a animal shelter charity with some friends… any advice on how to get it started? I know all about writing a mission statement, having a cause, articles of incorporation, bylaws, getting the IRS recognition, etc… What I need help on is how to make this a big thing and how long would this all take?</p>
<p>Consistency is important. Join the clubs you want to join now, and stick with them all 4 years of highschool, also try to get leadership positions. (maing junior/senior year, to show you need to have a commitment in order to have representation. Volunteer hours do not count until highschool. (The App asks for material from 9th grade and on). Colleges do not want to see a mix and match of volunteer hours. Volunteer at ONE place, hospital, business, etc. and work there EVERY weekend of whenever you are free. Try to get around 400~500 hours although 200-300 its okay. Study hard for your SATs, and Maintain your A’s.</p>
<p>Word of advice to the OP, don’t go from no ap classes to all ap classes. Wait till junior year to take all ap classes. Sophomore year you should take two-three ap’s.</p>