Sophomore looking for advice

Applying to College
1

Im a Mexican student. I went to boarding school in the USA for 8th and 9th grade, had to take a gap year, so just started 10th grade at 16 in an online school.

My dream is to go to NYU or similar ranking colleges, but I fear my grades and ec aren’t all that great. (Major would be psychology and maybe later into law school)

Grades in 9th
History: 91 (late assignments lowered my grade)
English: 89 (late assignments)
Writing prep: 88 (late assignments)
Science: 96
Geometry: 95
Mandarin 2: 93

For electives I took
Media: 100
Performing Arts: 96
Visual Arts: 98
Digital Arts: 96
Mixed Media: 92
Sketchbook: 100
Idk if it really changes or affects anything, but was diagnosed with ADHD a month ago

Volleyball 2 years
Figure skating 7 years
Aerial dance 2 years

Flute 7 years
Piano 4 years
Xylophone 2 years

Spanish (native)
English C1 (3 years ago)
Mandarin 2/5

Don’t have any awards so far
Community service: 60 hours (helping set up homeless shelter) (cleaning public areas)

I have been looking into applying for 11th and 12th grade to another boarding school, but I’m not sure if it would look bad to have changed schools 3 times in 4 years.

Anyway, I feel like I have a decent amount of time to better my chances, but I don’t have access to any clubs or teams or sports teams; so any advice on how I could do that would be greatly appreciated.

2

Keep motivated this year to keep your grades up. Also prep for the SAT or ACT, as test scores may matter for you.

You will need to explain the gap year for colleges and US colleges will want to know about the caliber and rigor of your current online school. If your family can afford boarding school for your final two years that may be a better option than online school. You will also most likely get a higher level of college counseling support.

Work on developing a list of various colleges that appeal to you. If you want to be in or near NYC, Fordham and Manhattan College may be of interest, too.

1 Like
3

Alright, your grades are honestly really good, and trust me I have done really worse and go into a decent school. More than anything tell a story and be as legit as possible, and that too if you get a bad grade in a class then don’t give up or feel like you are bound to fail. Trust me, I got into UC Riverside and am currently going here, and I had a D in class in eleventh grade.