So, with all the applications from all over the US.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
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<p>Is it even possible for actually distinguish yourself in your transcripts? Or is it more like a prerequisite for consideration completely? After all, someone else is always taking more AP classes and University classes and doing better in them. </p>

<p>I'm a rising sophomore from a small town... I'm taking a ton of courses online to supplement the little that is offered around here. I'm the only one in AP classes and I'm light years ahead of my classmates in math level.
I've managed to duck a lot of the anxiety most people feel on this forum because I've only seen one rising sophomore with a schedule I feel is truly superior. Of course, I realize that is because most CCers are Juniors and Seniors-- or Sophomores who join later in the year.</p>

<p>My schedule for next year will probably be roughly this:
AP Cal BC (online)
AP Computer Science AB (online)
AP Physics B (online)
Chemistry Honors
Elementary Spanish I (Dual Enrollment & online)
Elementary Spanish II (Dual Enrollment & online)
English II Honors
General Biology I (Dual Enrollment & online)</p>

<p>All of these, except for Spanish, are courses I really want to take. </p>

<p>For my Freshman year I anticipate my lowest grade being APAH, with a 94. I believe the rest will be 96+ (Perfect GPA here is 96+ although we don't rank). </p>

<p>However, I feel that no matter what I do... even going to my state magnet hopefully... and no matter how much I stand out in anything... there's always someone who's doing so much better that it just sometimes seems pointless. </p>

<p>I had always heard "There's always someone better than you in something, and always someone worse." It hasn't been until now though, that I've really had to deal with that, because I've never been able to imagine all of the other people in my position through the US--trying to do all they can but failing to standout among the almost 30,000 people who will be vying for a spot in admissions.</p>

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<p>You stand out in your activities, honors, essays, and interview.</p>

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<p>aig - Consider that the majority of the H applicant pool is so closely bunched near the top end of the academic credentials curve that the differences between them are not statistically significant. Since only 7% of the pool get admitted, those 7% are the ones in the indistinguishable bloc who stand out because of - as piccolojr says - activities, honors, essays and interviews. Accordingly, I'd have to say that if your academic curriculum is as rigorous as you can reasonably make it (considering where you live and the resources available to you), you'd be best served by putting extra focus on pursuing your non-academic passions as enthusiastically as you can.</p>