<p>I'm still just a junior, but I'd like to see if I'm on the right track or if I have to amp it up a little bit... I'm Asian American and I go to a suburban East Coast school but I don't know how much that is going to hurt me. I've been taking all the available honors and APs in science, math, spanish, and history for the past three years, but just started taking AP Language this year. I'm the first generation to attend college on my Dad's side, but not my mom's side; does that count for anything? I'm worried that I don't stand out...</p>
<p>Weighted GPA: 4.22
ACT: 31 Composite, 33 Writing (going to retake, and hoping for a 32)
SAT Subject Tests: American History 690 (will probably retake), Chemistry 750
Extra Curriculars: I am an EMT locally, and have about 200 hours of community service this year, but that should go way up because I do between 8-13 hours a week, sometimes more than that. </p>
<p>I'm the Secretary of the Young Democrats Club, and next year will probably be Co-President.</p>
<p>I've played the clarinet for six years, and I'm in my school's Wind Ensemble (which is the highest band in my school), and in Jazz Band after school.</p>
<p>I'm interested in studying neuroscience and have been independently working on a research project on ADHD.</p>
<p>I wasn't planning on taking the SATs because I score better on the ACTs, but will colleges hold that against me?</p>
<p>wow! i can't believe your only a junior--you seem to be really far ahead in the college process. If you continue like this for the rest of your junior/senior year I have no doubt that you'd get into Pomona!</p>
<p>trunewyorker,
Our son only submitted his ACT with writing and was accepted EDI. I have no idea how large your list of schools is, but we encouraged our son to really research his schools on their websites, on CC, and through the guide books. He visited the schools that were pretty close to home during his junior year. He saved his top three choices for the first couple months of senior year. He knew Pomona was his top choice on paper so we took him there for a few days so he could visit classes, rehearsals, sports practices, and meet with a couple professors and have an interview. It was not an inexpensive trip, but we felt that because he was very serious about trimming his list down to a couple safeties and schools he was quite sure he could get in, plus Pomona, this trip was worth the expense. We visited in early October. He called for an interview appointment the day after Labor Day and got the last available spot for that week. If you visit, make sure to make an appointment as soon as you know your dates. Also, if possible, take your instrument along and play for Dr. Beeks, the band director. Our son said he was very friendly and helpful in discussing Pomona and his other choices.</p>
<p>You seem to be headed in the right direction to be accepted at many fine schools. Take some time to find a couple schools with higher acceptance rates where you could also be very happy. </p>
<p>I just saw your most recent post stating that you want to apply ED but that you cannot visit. If this is because of the cost, now would be a good time to discuss the financial aspects of going to college with your parents so you can direct your search toward schools that you know you can afford. While Pomona is known for having very generous financial aid, most veterans on this site will recommend that you not apply ED if you may need FA. If you are concerned about the distance from home, you will certainly want to consider what your comfort level is with travelling to a school on another coast.
I wish you good luck in your college search.</p>
<p>Pianomom, even if he needs finacial aid he should still apply early. Research has shown pomona finacial aid is tops (if ur looking at rankings its #4) and is onl beat by the likes of harvard, princeton, and stanford.</p>
<p>I'm a girl... but that's okay. Normally I would be concerned about applying early decision with my financial aid situation, but Pomona is need blind and said to give 100% of demonstrated need to all its students, and they even recently eliminated loans from their financial aid packages, so I'm not too worried. Most of my other schools are closer to home (Vassar, Brandeis, Northeastern) but Pomona still is my number one choice school because it seems to have the perfect program and atmosphere that I am looking for. Although my parents are reluctant to let me go, I am aware that it would mean I could come home only between semesters and for the summer. But, I don't get homesick and am pretty independent, so that does not really hold me back.</p>