Rigorous colleges with chances for NGO work, possibly?

College Search & Selection
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<p>I've never posted before, so I am relatively hesitant on how to approach posting a post, but...
I think I'm just going to spew the general content of my school life/related information onto here. I am desperately concerned I will be abhorred for doing so, but I feel so lost in the college search. I'm just looking for suggestions on directions I could head, meaning plausible matches for me and a college, though I know the heft of that responsibility is mine. Ivy League schools would be nice; I want to attend a good school and could apply for honors college.
I've lightly considered neuroscience, heavily considered psychiatry, and generally thought about being a doctor or some sort of innovator that brings about social change (in a positive way). So generic, I know - I feel like huddling up beside myself and covering my head in embarrassment.</p>

<p>My stats</p>

<p>Academics:
6/711 in class
3.7714 unweighted GPA, 4.46 weighted
Academic awards for having a GPA higher than 3.5 for all four years (predicted for senior, as I'm only a junior)</p>

<p>Classes this year:
AP Physics B
AP Language and Composition
AP Calculus BC
AP US History
AP Spanish Language and Culture
Aerobics
I took Medical Terminology in the semester prior to Aerobics.
Calculus is denting my grades, but it's getting better.
I've taken Spanish for four years, including this one.
I took Principles of Health Science, which was a more serious healthcare-field-oriented substitute for taking actual "Health" at my school.
I took 2 AP classes as a sophomore - AP World History and AP Human Geography. 4 and 5 on the exams, respectively.
I took Pre AP Art 1, and received an exemplary mark in VASE competition.</p>

<p>PSAT score: 221
I hope to be a National Merit Semifinalist...</p>

<p>I intend to take AP Chemistry, AP Stats, hopefully AP Spanish Literature, AP Literature and Composition, AP Government, AP Economics, Sociology, and AP Psychology in my senior year.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/Activities:
National Honor Society
Mock Trial (going for all four years), was an attorney as a sophomore, a witness twice. Probably an attorney next year. Got 4th at Regionals as a team when I was a freshman.
I am part of a Socratic club, which holds Socratic seminars over currents events and issues.
I partake in UIL (academic) competitions for three years so far, and have competed in Math, Calculator, Number Sense, Ready Writing, Editorial Writing, Science, and Spelling, winning 2nd place in both Ready Writing and Editorial Writing.
I was part of a group called Secret Drawer Society that advocating positive attitudes and also raised funds for various charities and causes such as building a baseball field for children with disabilities.
I am also part of Spanish club.
I have been learning Vietnamese at a pagoda for 5 years, and go to a weekly Tae Kwon Do class that I've been attending for 4 years.
Work:
I began as a volunteer for hospice before I was a freshman, and I visit patients bimonthly who have dementia or are in assisted living. I have to continue quarterly education and have attended a seminar on bereavement, certifying me to help those who have recently been bereft of a loved one.
I have a job as a cashier at a local grocery store, working part time since April 2012, though I was an office cashier who worked with customers in customer service, and I had to manage the whole monetary inventory of the store.</p>

<p>I feel as though my weaknesses are my lack of involvement. I have a number of things I adore doing, such as dancing, singing, and writing, but I don't participate in things that embody those passions. I play the piano, after taking lessons for three years, but did so when I was much younger. </p>

<p>Random note: I love, with the deepest depths of my heart, speaking in Spanish. I'm Vietnamese-American, as my parents both immigrated here in the 70s, so some people have thought it odd, and according to one customer at the store I work at, I don't "look like" I speak Spanish.</p>

<p>I half want to apologize for my verbose post (though I'm fond of writing lengthy emails and notes and letters among other things), but I feel as though including details would be helpful to whomever might read this intending to respond.</p>

<p>Also, if I can ask, what do I have going for me? What raises my chances of getting in? And what could I improve on? I want to aim high, really high, but I will try to stomach realistic opinions.</p>

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<p>I don’t think you lack involvement. But you really only want to play up the things you spend time on in your application (sounds like you enjoy dancing, singing, writing, but I see no ECs that reflect that… so I am not sure I would talk about it). Your other ECs are pretty good. I would say that your writing is verbose – you really need to have a good editor review your essays for any applications or scholarships. And really try to show some confidence in your essays and applications if you can; ad coms aren’t so keen on “huddled up” applicants who are embarrassed by their own applications.</p>

<p>The list of possible colleges is very long. I would suggest that you get a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges and go through, marking some that seem interesting to you. Visit some of them. Be sure you include “match” colleges where your statistics (mostly test scores) are a match. I will be honest, your GPA is on the low end for tippy top schools (HPYS). You can pick a reach or two, but have a good list of matches, and a couple of safeties that you know you can get into and you can afford.</p>

<p>Also, if you are serious about med school, you really need to go to a college where you can get a good GPA. So don’t lose sight of that if it is your long term goal.</p>

<p>Regarding NGO work, you can work for an NGO from almost any college (or in some cases no college). The pay is awful at most of them… but if you are passionate about their cause and willing to dig in, you can likely find an NGO position. I would not worry about that.</p>

<p>You haven’t said anything about finances or location or size. One college that comes to mind as I am posting is Oberlin.</p>

3

<p>I haven’t thoroughly evaluated the merits of large schools versus small schools and everything in between. Schools such at the University of Texas at Austin, with their large student body, might be welcomed for the clubs and things outside of academics. I know I don’t want a small school, so medium might suit me.
My financial situation is a muddle. Total income is $120,000 or so, but my parents are separated, perhaps getting divorced. My mother is unemployed and we would probably be in her care.
I’m not sure about location. If I were to go to UT Austin, I wouldn’t mind it, as the things I’ve read about the environment are generally glowing. But I would like attending a school in another state, in a climate that isn’t too hot, and preferably not in the Bible Belt.</p>

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<p>Also, there are lots of different kinds of NGO work, which means that many college majors are applicable to some type of NGO work.</p>