<pre><code> Hi I'm an upcoming freshman. I've managed my schedule as to where I can fit in one AP class. I was just looking for some guidance as to what courses I should take and what extracurricular activities I can do to help me with being admitted to an Ivy League. My goal is to be admitted into Harvard law school. The following is my schedule for this coming semester so if you have any tips or suggestions feel free to respond.
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<p>AP Human Geography
Honors Spanish II
Honors 9th Grade Literature
Honors Biology
Honors Algebra II
Latin I</p>
<p>Do you have any tips as to what courses I should take or what activities are worth getting involved with so that I would have a better chance of getting admitted into Harvard undergrad.</p>
<p>The only activity I’m already involved with is Mock Trial. I did it in eighth grade because I was invited so my freshman year(this upcoming semester) will be my second year in Mock Trial.</p>
<p>The reason I’m so psyked about his is cause my dad and I have signed a deal and a lot of my mom’s friends who were admitted say that you need to start choosing wisely when you’re a freshman.</p>
<p>I’ve had to give up most of my athletics just for these academic stuff..</p>
<p><em>psyched</em>
but i agree, chill for a year or two, my school doesn’t even offer honors or AP classes for freshman, frosh year’s a time to join clubs because you LIKE THEM, not because it’ll help you get into college four years from then and THEN get into law school four years from that, a lot of people don’t even know what they want to do when they graduate from college, let alone planning out their graduate school before even spending a day in high school.
so don’t listen to people who tell you to give up athletic things you love just for college’s sake, do what you love!</p>
<p>“I’ve had to give up most of my athletics just for these academic stuff..”</p>
<p>Perhaps not the best choice – recruited athletes have a much better chance at getting into Harvard than kids with perfect SAT scores and 4.0 GPAs. A recruited athlete has a hook (and a significant one at that) while the perfect stats kid does not.</p>
<p>This question has been asked time and again – just spend a few days reading past posts. Your best method to success is to challenge yourself (both in academics and in all other areas), do your best, don’t be afraid to take risks and think outside the box.</p>
<p>Your best bet of getting into a top college is to pursue with passion, creatively, and excellence, your academic and extracurricular interests – including athletic interests. </p>
<p>Dropping productive activities that you love (including athletics) won’t help you unless you’re making room for productive activities that you love even more.</p>
<p>Lmao, dude, you need to seriously chill a bit, and not worry so much about getting into “Harvard law school” (which is graduate, btw, right?)</p>
<p>I breezed through my freshman year without thinking about colleges at all and just played all day and night, but now that I come to this site…um, some priorities do exist after all. </p>
<p>anyways, yeah you should do what you like, if you like athletics there’s no reason why you should focus on academics so much, and as for your schedule it’s fine (why do you have TWO languages, and for that matter, are you not required to take PE??). </p>
<p>Overall- you have a LOT of time; I suggest you chill, eat, sleep, listen to music, rest, sleep, play games, and rest a bit during your free times. Don’t worry already so much about colleges. it seems like you’re focused on only AP’s and stuff but the sheer # is not indicative of where you get in.</p>
<p>This is ridiculous. You will have plenty of time later to worry about this stuff. Yes, take an academically challenging course load. But do not cut out things which you are passionate about to achieve this. If a college does not want you for the things which you actually care about, it isn’t the right college for you to go to. My perspective is that I’d rather get into a ‘lesser’ school which wants me for my own unique aspects, than get into a ‘great’ school that wants me to be someone else.</p>
<p>And you are only entering freshman year of high school. Relax. Relax. Relax. Take the PSAT this year sure. Plan out your SATs throughout high school. Decide your course load. But do not start overthinking the process already. The only thing which that assures you of is an ulcer.</p>
<p>SAT’s? dude that’s like mid junior-end senior year, he’s not even a freshman yet, he really has nothing to worry about…</p>
<p>Seeing that you actually care this much about colleges (much more than a typical junior), I would assume you’ll be getting good grades too, which is not entirely necessary freshman year but helps. Also about EC’s, do what you like, I assume you’re fine.</p>
<p>ugafan8x: Your course load is fine. Make sure you are on track for these things.</p>
<ol>
<li>Get the highest possible grades i.e. you need to be a Valedictorian or in the top 5 if not from a name brand high school.</li>
<li>Do involve with Model UN, fine arts (Drama or theater) as soon as possible.</li>
<li>Take up a sport, you will have more chances as a varsity team player and Valedictorian than otherwise.</li>
<li>Join Debate, you cannot make it to Harvard undergrad aspiring to be a Lawyer without excelling at Debate.</li>
<li>You will have to be either editor of school newspaper or the president of the student body to bolster your chances.</li>
<li>Does AP Human Geography count as History at your school otherwise you need 4 year or more of History for Harvard?</li>
</ol>
<p>Come back after a year to review your chances with your accomplishment for the coming year; you may be able to make your chances later too but if you break it in the freshman year it won’t happen.
Remember it is a long journey but you can break it in the freshman year itself.</p>
<p>wow thanks
okay I have a few questions though:</p>
<p>I agree with number four about debate but the only problem is that my school is so well known for debate that if you want to be on the team you have to take a speech and forensics class freshman year and as you can see I don’t have anymore.</p>
<p>Another thing is the Drama or theater part, would it be okay if I did something backstage instead of like acting in on stage.</p>
<p>And with Model UN: I really want to do it but I’m not entirely sure that our school provides that.</p>
<p>Thanks ParentofIvyHope! would love to hear from you again</p>
<p>Um, no offense, ParentOfIvyHope, but you don’t have to accomplish a set roster of activities to be considered for a “name brand school.” I agree that it’s good to consider #s 1 and 6 on your list of things to do (!), but honestly! The kid isn’t even a freshman yet. Let him get involved in what he wants instead of trying to follow such a rigorous regimen that definitely will not “bolster his chances” if he doesn’t enjoy doing them. Ugafan8x, just do what you’re passionate about. It’s good to work hard to be a valedictorian, but don’t make it your life’s goal. Take challenging classes. Do the sports and extracurriculars you want to.
ParentOfIvyHope’s list represents wildly different interests. I mean, don’t force yourself to get involved in Drama if you don’t want to, and if international relations isn’t your thing, then don’t join Model UN. I think you should go back to the sports/activities you like instead of giving it all up for academics (which are important, but shouldn’t be your only priority).</p>