<p>My quick thoughts about being accpeted into USC…</p>
<p>Start now with “thinking about” who you know, or who you can get to know, to write a Letter of Recommendation" during your senior year, when you send in your application. A counselor is a good choice. If it is convenient to establish a rapport with the principal, or vice principal, that wouldn’t hurt. More importantly than the who, is to make sure that whoever it is, respects you, and will write good things about you. So, start now, doing the right things, and networking, so that when senior year comes along, and you start applying, you will have a couple of people who already know you, and who will be interested in writing a letter of recommendation for your sake. </p>
<p>Also, start sooner, rather than later, at going to USC’s website, and the websites of other universities, and look for the “How to apply” pages. Look at the “Essay” questions that they are asking - for this year, next year, etc. Even though you won’t be filling out the question for a few more years, if you start now, reading what the Essay questions pertain to, then when you are applying it won’t catch you cold, and by surprise. (Some would argue that you need to have a “hook” in your Essay. I would choose to rephrase that, and say that each college wants to know what makes you unique. If you have a strong interest in something (anything) than you may choose to somehow incorporate that “something” into one of your Essay questions. My point NOW is that in order for you to have a “something” to focus on (when you write your Essay as a senior in high school), surely that something will need to a a real activity, and it will need to be something that you have done for more than just 2 months leading up to the Application process. Ideally, it should be something that you have done for several years. A sport, a club, an instrument that you play, a skill, some area where you give of your time to others, some area - that others will quickly be able to point to and say “yeah, that’s him, that’s her, that is what makes him/her unique, that is why we recommend him/her”. However, this “something” needs to be genuine, and not something that you create solely for the sake of college entrance. So, search your soul, and your brain. What “thing” do you have a “passion” for. Develop that area, or find a new area. Then, others will see it. And, you will have a “something” to write about, when you have a write the all important Essay question/answer. </p>
<p>In case you have not had the time, or the family support system, to have provided you with the time (and sometimes money) for certain activities, that is not necessarily a bad thing. If you are someoone who has come through some great tragedies (major illness or death in the family), and the hardships have enabled you to grow up early, and learn life’s lessons much earlier than people typically do, then you can write about that. (I am obviously not a college entrance essay reader, but it seems to me that those students who do choose to write about a personal hardship, better have a good and honest narrative to share. If an essary reader senses that the writer seems dishonest or disingenuious about a personal tragedy, it could turn a possible positive essay into an automatic rejection for admission. My point: be careful. </p>
<p>My personal recommendations: </p>
<p>Find an area in your life, that you have an honest passion for, and develop that area. </p>
<p>Network, and develop (genuine) relationships, that you can tap into when you apply. </p>
<p>Yes, I agree with the prior posts about your academic work:</p>
<p>Grades (work to get the best possible, get in study groups, go to after school, or before school tutoring, ask for help), </p>
<p>Which classes (choose the most difficult, providing that you can get good grades in them. An “A” in Physics is far better than a “C” in Physics AP. </p>
<p>ECs (extra curriculars). What a college counselor told us is that colleges look for sustained involvement, and for leadership. In other words, don’t join a new club every year. Instead, stay in one club (or two clubs) for 3 years, or even better 4 years. And when the opportunity arises, volunteer, or seek out a Leadership position in that club. Even if the club seems dumb or inconsequential, a President, Vice President, etc. of any club is far better than “member of” 5 different clubs. Push yourself a bit. Maybe run for elected office, IF you think you can do it, and would enjoy it. If you would be miserable at it, then don’t do it just for sake of the college application. But do try to push yourself, a bit. </p>
<p>Also, look outside your school, for areas where you can volunteer. And start early. Even your freshman year is a good time to start. Some areas to consider: a Senior Citizens Center, Pet shelters, Red Cross, Tutoring Centers for low income students, Food Kitchens for poor, volunteer at sports camps, Hospitals, LLS, Church groups, Beach cleanup, etc.</p>
<p>Here is one area - where many may disagree with me. Sports. I maintain that there are a LOT of students who have played sports all 4 years. Only a few of those students rise to the position of “Captain of the team” or “All County”. All the rest are “players”. I highly respect the player of any, and all sports. However, imagine how many universities receive thousands of applications, where there are thousands of students who have been “players” on one or more sports, for two, three, or four years. What it is about those thousands of players that stands out, where a university will choose student-A over student-B ? I do not have the answer. My question is rhetorical. In my view, all those thousands of athletes get lumped together into one large pool - all hoping to get accepted into their favorite university. Then, on the other hand, there are those FEW students who have 3 or 4 years of experience volunteering at a Senior Center (or elsewhere), and maybe they have a few seniors who have written a letter of recommendation due to the impact that the student made upon their life. I am not saying that a college will necessarily choose the student who volunteered over the thousands of athletes. But, I do believe that each student needs to “somehow” stand out, and shine, so the college chooses them (for whatever reason). </p>
<p>A quick reminder: Remember that there are reasons why USC asks for (1) Letters of Recommendation, and requires prospective students to (2) Fill out the Essay Questions, and (3) Short answers. If all it took was “good grades and good test scores” to get into USC, then USC would not ask for the Letters of Recommendation, and they would not require you to fill out the Essay questions.</p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
I’m planning on taking AP Calc, AP Stats, and AP Econ/Gov senior year (precalc honors junior year)</p>