<p>Hi everyone! I just started my sophomore year of high school and have begun my college search. Hillsdale is my number one choice, and if I am accepted, I will definitely attend. I would like to know if I am on the right track for Hillsdale admissions:
Freshman year GPA is 3.9 weighted, and 3.7 unweighted.
I understand most colleges do not look at freshman year, but my schedule for this year (cores) is:
English II Honors, Spanish III, Chemistry Honors, US History II Honors and Algebra II (I already took geometry).
I also play basketball and am in my schools literary magazine (published in there as well as on the staff).
I have a few (4) community service hours, and plan to get a job the day I turn 16.
What can I do to up my chances of admission? I appreciate all and any advice!</p>
<p>Lastfriday, you are SO smart to be thinking about this sophomore year. Lots of people thought my D was goofy to be preparing for and working toward specific college goals freshman year, but it paid off: she’s a hs senior, National Merit Semi-Finalist, weighted GPA 4.3, unweighted 3.9, All-state honors musician, with strong ECs and service hours. None of that happened by accident: she’s a planner and hard worker who focuses on long-term goals. Sounds like that’s the kind of person you are, too, which is excellent!</p>
<p>You have a great start toward being an attractive candidate for Hillsdale, imo. My suggestions would be to keep that GPA as high as you possibly can. Since your school weights, you’ll have even more opportunities to raise it this year and next, with honors and AP classes that you do well in. Strive for As in those classes! That really boosts the GPA.</p>
<p>Also, prepare for the ACT or SAT. The kids who spend 5-10 hrs a week prepping, for 4-6 weeks prior to the test really do boost their scores…sometimes quite significantly.</p>
<p>I think it’s great you’ll be getting a job soon; work experience can help round out an application. But be sure to protect your GPA as demands on your time increase. FWIW, I think your GPA is your single most precious asset in college admissions, not just at Hillsdale, but at almost any college. Protect it and don’t let anything interfere with your goal of getting and keeping it as strong as you possibly can.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you. You sound like someone who would be a wonderful candidate to any college!</p>