<p>I think I've probably screwed up my life from being passive the past 2 years. Its summer before junior year of high school and I haven't joined any clubs, I don't have more than 30 hours of community service, and I play tennis and run cross country to fill requirements, but i'm not really athletic or into performing arts. The only thing I'm good at is visual arts. I've won some awards for my drawings and have a part time photography job, but other than that I don't do any unique things that stand out. I've just been so focused on making friends (which is not really one of my strengths either) and academics that i've let most opportunities fly by, and off time I just sit at home. I spend alot of time studying but I still only have around a 3.4 gpa. But whats done is done I want to know what I can do now. Its summer and I'm the only one who isn't busy. What can I do and how can I be a more interesting person so I have a better chance at getting into decent college?</p>
<p>I'm interested in getting an aviation or related degree, as it is my hobby and I aspire to be a pilot.</p>
<p>“I’ve won some awards for my drawings and have a part time photography job” and " I’m interested in getting an aviation or related degree, as it is my hobby and I aspire to be a pilot." </p>
<p>First of all, many schools either don’t count or discount your freshman grades, so if you have an upward trend, don’t get discouraged. (If, however, your grades have tanked, that’s a more serious issue.) And if you are a guy, you are more likely to be given the benefit of the doubt (as in, slow maturer).</p>
<p>Second, your ECs don’t have to be school clubs or teams - and actually doing your own thing can help differentiate you in a good way. Having a photography job and awards for drawings is very impressive. Work on creating a portfolio over the summer that you can submit with your application. Find additional opportunities to develop your skills and display your work. And in what sense is aviation a hobby? Do you have a private pilots license yet? Why not work towards that if you don’t? If you do, I think you’re in good shape EC-wise.</p>
<p>Nobody is ‘ruined’ by the end of 10th grade: Some people just take a bit longer to hit their stride. Make the most of the coming year so you can write a great essay about how you got yourself on track academically this year.</p>
<p>^^ I agree, you have some time to keep going on an upward trend. AND, there are lots of great colleges for “B students”, so even if you keep the same GPA through junior year, you WILL have options. You do have some involvement and don’t dismiss what you have done so far. Keep doing the sports, clubs, add community service this summer, and develop your art portfolio to submit as an “art supplement” with your college applications (some colleges accept it as a part of your admissions and it doesn’t mean you have to major in art, it just shows an area of talent and more about you). Keep up the grades and don’t worry! Just focus on one element at a time rather than get overwhelmed by the big picture. At least that helped my son. And by the way, he had a 3.47 freshman year and is heading to UVA this fall --you don’t know how things will end up, really!</p>
<p>Forgot to say: enter art work in Scholastic Art Awards contests --submissions are in December! Have some pieces ready to submit online (some art teachers forget, so make a note of it!) Looks great on your resume too.</p>
<p>You will find the right school for you. Keep working hard and mange your time as well as you can to ensure that you get plenty of study time before each test and you get all your assignments in on time. It is the little things that can add up to make a big difference.</p>
<p>You are fine. There are colleges that are great for everyone. This website is for a small, skewed wacko population of overachievers and braggers.</p>
<p>It is refreshing to see someone normal like yourself on here.</p>