Sophomore Needs Advice

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello CollegeConfidential! This is my first post! Ok, here it goes:</p>

<p>I just want some advice on what steps I should take to generally strengthen my application. Like most people on this site, I am hoping to get into one of the top schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, etc)
I would appreciate it if you could identify where my weaknesses are and how I could improve upon them to improve my chances.</p>

<p>Grade: 10th
State: Tennessee
Ethnicity: Indian
Grades: All A's. 4.0 GPA
Schedule (only AP's)
Freshman:
none
Sophomore:
AP Biology
AP World History
AP Chemistry (Self Studying)</p>

<p>Junior:
AP Calculus BC
AP Language
AP US History
AP Physics B
AP Environmental Science
AP Computer Science A (Self studying)
AP Physics C (Self Studying)
AP Psychology (Self Studying)</p>

<p>Senior:
AP Statistics
AP European History
AP Vergil's Aeneid
Can't think of anymore right now, but I am taking 5 total senior year.</p>

<p>Tests:
Haven't taken SAT yet
SAT Subject Tests:
SAT Math level 1: 800
SAT Math Level 2: 800
PSAT: Critical Reading: 76, Math: 80, Writing: 69 Total: 225
- this was my sophomore PSAT score - I am taking it for real next year as a junior</p>

<p>Extracurricular:</p>

<p>Participating in American Math Competitions
AMC 10 Scorein 9th grade: 72.5
AMC 10 Score in 10th grade: 120 - Qualified for AIME.
I am in a 4 year dual enrollment program with Vanderbilt University. I go there once every week to work on research projects. I will probably make Siemens Semifinalist/Finalist next year.
Eagle Scout as a Boy Scout
Mu Alpha Theta
Numerous Regional Math Achievements
Several State math achievements
Captain of Math Bowl Team - came second place in regional competition
Qualified as a Semifinalist in the United States of America Biology Olympiad
gave a singing concert in India over the summer and donated the proceeds to charity
Numerous Regional and State Latin achievements</p>

<p>Community Service:</p>

<p>Tutoring Bhutanese and Nepalese Refugees. I taught several subjects from Pre-Algebra to Algebra II, and I teach them English as well as how to read.
Started an SAT tutoring program to teach underperforming students at a local high school in mathematics
several leadership positions as a Senior Patrol Leader of my Boy Scout Troop
Several State level chess awards
Total Number of Hours: 201</p>

<p>Thank you for your time. I would appreciate it if you could tell me mainly what my weaknesses are AND how to improve them. Personally, I believe that my weakness are in community service (not enough hours) and lack of leadership positions. </p>

<p>Also, do you think that being from Tennessee helps at all?
Thank you.</p>

2

<p>Haha. your pretty much flawless. Except you dont play any sports. My sister got a 2380 on her SAT and she had 4.0 unweighted. And she got turned down by schools lower than harvard and yale. So all im saying is that you should maybe drop a few Extracurriculars and pick up a sport. HArvard and schools like it are not division I, but they like to have sports teams that can raise their reputation even more.</p>

<p>Also your only a sophomore…like me lol but enjoy high school. Reading your thread made me feel like i was the devil or something. And im not trying to bash you or anything, you will end up doing very well in life.</p>

3

<p>^no offense, but i really disagree…pick up a sport if you like it, but commitment to ECs look just as good as commitment to sports; the only advantage to sports is the possibility of getting recruited. even if this person’s sister got turned down from certain schools, i doubt it was specifically because of a lack of sports. plus, harvard is division 1…</p>

<p>but on the basic premise, i agree- you’re doing great, now focus on enjoying life! :)</p>

4

<p>thank you for shutting me down! lol but your obviously more educated than me in this field of expertise. ahah</p>

5

<p>@sfurio
I forgot to mention that I do play tennis, but I don’t really do any competitions or anything - just for fun.</p>

<p>@smwhtslghtlydzed
Thank you for your response! Do you see any weaknesses so far in my application?</p>

6

<p>You’re not white.</p>

<p>haha I’m just kidding. On a serious note, I think this is excellent. I wish I could have made something so solid this year (I’m a sophomore too). I’d suggest volunteering at a hospital, and focus more on the things you’ve already done instead of going all over the board.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for your advice deathscape10!! What are some parts of my application you think I should cut down on?</p>

8

<p>I’m not saying you should cut down on anything; you are solid with math, boy scouts, and Latin. I’m just saying that instead of just doing everything possible throughout the next years, you should focus on expanding more with those three things because it shows a keen interest and maintaining interest in what you have already applied yourself to. From what I’ve read, keeping many strong things to few subjects is much better than keeping few things to numerous areas. Just keep up what you’re doing and you’ll be in excellent condition.</p>

<p>Also going back, make sure to utilize what is going to be an excellent PSAT score next year to become a National Merit finalist and earn some scholarships and to put something else to brag about on your applications.</p>

9

<p>That’s good advice, deathscape10, thank you very much!</p>

<p>Anyone have any more advice?</p>

10

<p>I don’t see any real weaknesses in your stats- you’re doing great so far! Just make sure you also look into safety schools, since schools like Harvard are hard to get into even for the perfect applicant. The only advice I can think of is to be sure to showcase your personality in your application (and maintain focus in your ECs to show that), but that’s a long ways away for you, so for now I’d just say keep up the good work! :)</p>