<p>Recently, certain people have been giving me advice for college. I am currently a junior and REALLY want to get into Harvard (I was at the SSP program last summer, and it grabbed my attention instantaneously). I'm extremely involved in a lot of things, and have read books/articles about college admissions, but I was wondering if anyone would be so kind to give me first hand information and suggestions.</p>
<p>Here's some of my qualifications:
-From Texas and go to a public school with about 800 in the graduating class.
-Ranked 2 (the number one is a bookworm)
-Been in band for 7 years, Drum major this year. First chair flute for 5 years. All city band for 3 years. All-Region band for 4 years. Made All-Area this year.
-Been Dancing for 8 years. Completely a really prestigious graduation from my dance school in the summer of 2011.
-Been playing piano for 11 years and gotten first every year in a piano competition held in our town.
-When I took a practice PSAT at home (the 2009 administered one) I got a 236, but I still haven't gotten back my scores from the actual one (grr. It's making me mad)
-SAT is around 2100 but I'm raising it up (any suggestions on that?)
-International Baccalaureate Diplomma candidate.
-Took an AP test (world history) last year and scored a 5, and I will be taking more this year and next.
-Numerous awards/scholarships and such at city and region level.</p>
<p>Any suggestions/comments/concerns/advice? (:
I had a friend tell me I was doing too much.. but I'm really not (in my opinion). And more importantly I'm not doing it to impress colleges; I've just always been really involved.. </p>
<p>LOL, I didn’t even have to read your post to know that everything would turn out fine, since you’re only a junior and are already on CollegeConfidential asking about application and even took the time to to “read books/articles about college admissions”! How many people do you know do that?</p>
<p>The advice you need: enjoy high school while it lasts and have fun :).</p>
<p>@Calico23 Awe Thanks!! That’s comforting:) I really want to get in, so I wanna make sure I’m doing things right from the beginning. I guess it’s the essay that plays the next big role huh?</p>
<p>@DwightEisenhower And that’s exactly what I’m doing over my break:) I hope to raise it at least to a 2300. But the past few tests I’ve taken, I’ve been stuck at a 2100 /:
But thanks (:</p>
<p>You have excellent grades and a great class rank, and your EC’s are also quite impressive. The only thing that’s holding you back at this point is your SAT Reasoning score. If you could boost it up 150-200 points, you would be a highly competitive candidate for admission.</p>
<p>^ what the hell? lol
You’re a stellar candidate and have as good a shot as any other, although a lot is hit or miss. Try picking up some national/state awards or recognition, and use the blue book for your test prep, and you’ll end up at a great school, i’m sure</p>
<p>My SAT breakdown as of yesterday (lol) is.
Writing - 780: Essay 11
Math - 760
Critical Reading - 690.</p>
<p>My critical reading is the weak spot, I know. I just don’t know how to get it up. For a long time my score was just stuck at a 2100 and I finally managed to get it up to a 2200 or so. It just fluctuates a lot.
Any suggestions on how to get it consistent?
I’m taking it for final (hopefully) in January.</p>
<p>And thank you for all the replies.</p>
<p>@Mentos I am applying for some state/national awards and competitions this semester and in the summer. Thanks!</p>
<p>Your practice PSAT score is very strong and indicates you have the potential to bump your scores. I think you might find that if you take the SAT again early in senior year, you will have naturally improved from a year of English classes (esp. if you’re taking Lang or Lit). But since I understand you don’t want to wait that long to have a score you can be confident about, I recommend just practicing a lot! Also, check out silverturtle’s guide if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>Having recently purged the SAT and Collegeboard from my life, I feel much empathy for you. I’m sure we all would like the SAT to be banished from the admissions process, but since that’s not happening anytime soon, you’ll just have to live with it. Really, the best way is to just take lots and lots (and lots!) of practice tests. At least the entire official study guide practice tests, though no need to actually read a study guide. My friend (decently smart), took two practice tests a day for one week and scored 2340.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the suggestions!!
I’m taking the test in January, and I’ll go from there. I plan to have at least a 2300 (possibly more) before senior year. I realize I have some time, but I received some valuable advice from a mentor advising me to take it easy and relax (;</p>
<p>But I do have a question about national or state awards? Does anyone know of any that I can apply to? Or how to get any?</p>
<p>I agree with your mentor about maybe trying to relax. Don’t worry about national and state awards. Do the things you enjoy (and work fairly hard) just as you have been doing. </p>
<p>You have a good chance at getting in, but make sure you look at other schools that you like as well, because noone has certainty about getting into any of the “top” schools.</p>
<p>In your reading, have you looked at “Colleges that Change Lives” or “Beyond the Ivies” by Pope?</p>
<p>Harvard is a great school, but one of many. In the end, it’s just a school, with dorms and academic buildings, professors and students. Try not to get fixed on that one place, and at the same time, by all means apply because you probably have a good chance.</p>
<p>Oh, those awards. Trust me when I say there are plenty of kids who don’t have them. If you’re an artist or writer kid at all, however, consider checking out Scholastic’s Art & Writing thing, which you’ll probably have to apply for early senior year. Honestly, winning national/state awards is hard to cram. If you’re not already in a position where you can do well on USACO/USAMO/&c (not already involved in some competitive thing you’re very good at) it’s late in the cycle now. Personal anecdote, however: the state I’m in has a summer arts program that’s somewhat selective and the attendance fee is partially funded for residents. If you’re accepted and attend you get a state-level award-type thing noting your accomplishments and talent in the arts. It definitely sounds more impressive than it felt to me, but you might check to see if your state has a similar program. Now is the time to prepare for summer. There are quite a few summer programs that are well-known and fairly prestigious, and they would confer upon you the same halo-of-incredibleness an award might.</p>
<p>I aced CR, and my memory is quite hazy (but I was in a similar position as you, time-wise) but it really comes down to drilling yourself over and over with practice tests, understanding the types of questions they’ll ask (exaggerations, information that was never given but your brain randomly inferred, and so on). Don’t think too much about the passages and don’t try to interpret them. Most of the questions I missed the first time I took the SAT were the kinds of questions where you had to look back at the passage and realize, “Actually, the passage never said anything about her emotions” or “The woman was described as reserved but not haughty, that’s too harsh”.</p>
<p>I imagine you’re probably a good reader/writer, but the tendency to predict and jump ahead hurt me initially, and might be tripping you up too. (Sidenote: got an 800 in CR. The week before my second test I took one full practice test a day, minus the essays.)</p>
<p>Compmom - thanks for the advice. I’m definitely looking at some great other school’s, but Harvard is my number one. After SSP this summer I’m so passionate about it. But I’ve also learned (through other experiences) not to make anything the end of the world. In other words, I already have the mindset that if I don’t get in, my academic and/or medical career is not going to end. But I figure why not put in my all to it and see what I get? I imagine even If harvard rejects me, somewhere of a like place will accept me. </p>
<p>Greekfire - That is arguably my BIGGEST fault!! I’m genetically overanalytical and it’s killing my critical reading. But I’m taking practice tests up until Saturday and reviewing them, seeing how they go. Hopefully I do okay… and if not, my next (and final, hopefully) will be June for sure.
BTW do you (or anyone for that matter) know where I can find practice tests? I’ve pretty much used all the BB ones and the PR 11 practice tests I started to use… but almost everyone has dissuaded me from them. Can we order any or something?</p>
<p>Your stats are amazing. SAT is definitely a bit on the low side (just work on that)
I think if you can, try to get some leadership stuff in there (like positions like President of a debate team or something) and portray yourself well in the essay. You have a powerful artistic side, and i like that ;D (I’m a violinist for 13 years). Congratulations on all of your commitment (:</p>
<p>Yeah I’m taking it on January and I’ll go from there.</p>
<p>And thanks. I’ll try to get some more officer stats. I know there are much more elections for me now that I’m a junior (NHS, Inivisbile Children and what not).</p>
<p>Ah I’ve always wanted to play violin and cello. In fact, I’m playing with the Region Orchestra this weekend. I’m excited! Symphony is my favorite!</p>
<p>Sidenote: be wary of the easy allure of officer positions. I’d argue (although I have no way of knowing for sure) that one or two officer positions in clubs in which you made a significant change or steered its members through a large project or accomplishment can outweigh four officer positions where you had largely ceremonial duties.</p>
<p>If you’ve taken a large quantity of practice tests, it’s actually worth the time to go back at some of the BB ones you took ages ago (so your memory might be a bit fuzzy) and redo the questions. You’ll be able to see which questions you’re now getting right (and examine what tripped you up the first time you took them) as well as the questions you’re still getting wrong (and what you’re misunderstanding, misinterpreting, &c).</p>