Student who would like some advice

Applying to College
1

Hello! My goal is to major in Computer Science or Business. After college, I’d like to work at/create my own non-profit that teaches more minorities (native americans, african americans, etc), underprivileged children in the united states, and children in developing countries (specifically focused on girls) in computer programming and engineering.

I have a few scores, but I don’t think they’re legitimate as I’ve barely studied for anything and am planning to start this summer. But here are my ECs & Stats.

Grades:
Mostly A/A minuses and two Bs

Income bracket: not quite sure, but I am on scholarship at my school and live in a rougher area than my school and many of my peers do

Hook:
URM (biracial)
Second generation - dad is the only one to go to college in my family ever
Location: poor area of california

ECs:
Yearbook (10…will continue to 12…leader in 11 & 12)
Student committee to help amend school policies (more effective than student council) (teachers elect students)
Student council (8,9)
Track (since kindergarten) - Varsity as freshmen, 10, considering stopping to pursue rowing or field hockey which are also sports i am passionate about
Tutoring children at local elementary school (3 years so far…will continue until i graduate)
Tutoring of children for middle school placement tests (10)
Summer job at school in office (worked with children but mostly did administrative stuff and dealt with parents)
Club that gives tours for perspective students
CompSci Club (1 yr)
XC (2 years - 7,8 but considering doing 11 & 12)

This summer:

  • will attend technology and engineering camp, was nominated by teacher
  • will attend leadership conference, also nominated by a different teacher
  • internship with a computer science/engineering/non-profit…whatever I can get that’s related to my interests
  • trying to get a job
  • will take a pre-calculus class
  • studying for ACT
  • working on my children’s book (trying to get published)
  • working on my store (taking the business online)

Sophomore schedule:
AP US history
French 3 honors
Reg algebra 2
reg english 2
yearbook
advanced photography
chemistry reg
Introduction to computer programming (online course)

Awards:
Several awards for track/cross country - xc captain as a 8th grader
awards for track - 3 (7,8) & then freshmen on varsity coach’s award
Scholastic honorable mention for photography (10)
Affiliate runner up award for aspirations in computer science (10)
Middle school award for leadership (9th)

Intended junior year schedule:
Reg modern world
AP French
AP English
Pre-calculus
Physics
Yearbook
Robot programming/engineering
planning to join robotics team

intended senior year schedule
ap compsci
research - with school
yearbook
english honors class (not entirely sure which one)
ap art history
ap photography (considering)
french culture and cinema honors
calculus
(all classes except dropping history)

2

are you taking honors classes? or are all classes at your school at the honors level? By the way, college applications won’t ask for activities before 9th grade, and since you have all these ECs you wouldn’t have room for them anyways. I like how you aren’t spreading yourself too thin. Like how you are really focused on comp sci. If you’re really good at track or cross country maybe you should stick with it and get some state or even national awards. You could be team captain or make an organization that coaches young/poor kids if you stuck with it

3

You’re sure in track. Yet I don’t see any volunteer activities that tie in with your goals. You want to focus in giving underprivileged children the opportunity to advance in technology and programming. Why not start a club that actively does that by providing classes on computer/technology to children who would of not been able to take a class like that.

Also, don’t focus so much on children, but on a holistic group of people who don’t have the same means/capabilities of being able to either attend/afford a computer class. That includes all ages, all minorities.

I would not advise getting a job just because your goals focus so much more than just a job. It should be enriched with community services instead of a job that would not enhance your goals late on in the future.

4

I have been tutoring students at a local elementary school for since 7th grade and will continue through senior year. As well I did some tutoring at another high school for students taking a high school placement test several times. Thanks so much! @matheus