Tell me what I need to work on.

Applying to College
1

<p>New here, please be kind. I know the answer is "everything", but specifics would be wonderful.</p>

<p>I'm 16, junior, white girl in a public school. Just took the SAT, so I don't have those scores yet. Here's what I do have:</p>

<p>GPA - ~3.8, but it should be higher when GPAs are recalculated. That's from last year, my school takes forever to update stuff.
PSAT- 199; I took them back when I was a sophomore. I didn't take them seriously at all. I'm taking them again this year and I hope to do much, much better.
Varsity gymnastics 9-11
Yearbook 7-11, editor for middle school yearbook in 8th grade and I'm the editor for our high school now as well
French Honor Society - I'll be an officer next year, I got inducted a year early, I'm fluent in French.
Will be in Junior Honor Society, but they haven't started inductions yet.
Went to Stanford's EPGY program for Creative Writing for 4 weeks last summer. I received a glowing recommendation from the teacher of the course, which I think will be helpful.</p>

<p>I've been in Honors classes my entire life, I've been in a gifted program since second grade, I have no idea if that is irrelevant or what. But I thought I'd mention it. </p>

<p>Classes currently:
Honors Chemistry
Honors Precalc
AP US History
AP Lang&Comp</p>

<p>next semester:
Honors Physics
Honors Zoology - working on getting this changed to AP French, but the chances are very very slim that the scheduling will work out.
" " (AP classes are a full year)
" "</p>

<p>Not sure what else is helpful. I'm thinking I need a lot more extracurriculars, but I'm not sure where to go with that ... </p>

<p>Stanford is my dream school, but I'm aware that it's a ridiculously humongous reach. Oh well.</p>

<p>Advice/recommendations/whatev is deeply appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Being in honors classes your entire life doesn't mean that much except for what appears on your HS transcript. For instance, I went to the top elementary school in IL from 1-6th grade, and I took all honors classes available at my following schools, but my weighted GPA is in the low 3's and my ACT isn't spectacular. So. I dunno. A lot of people are in the same boat as you.</p>

<p>The recommendation from the Stanford teacher should help you a lot, but I think you could work on EC's. Maybe volunteer, do an internship, explore more hobbies, etc. Overall, try to make yourself an interesting applicant, and find your hook.</p>

3

<p>Focus on enjoying yourself and preparing a list of likes/dislikes of what you'd enjoy about college. Small vs. large? School spririt? Social scene? Greek system? Urban/rural? Access to big city? Good departments for your potential major? Interaction w/instructors? Large spread out campus (like Stanford) or compact (like Yale)? International opportunities? Rigidity of curriculum? Diversity? Region of the country? </p>

<p>You appear to be one that enjoys learning. With that, you should be able to do fine at whatever college you eventually attend.</p>

<p>Also, the Stanford summer pgm teacher rec is not nearly as important as a solid rec from either a Jr or Sr year teacher in a rigorous class. The top schools want a rec from a recent teacher in a rigorous class. Plus, they have the best ability to explain the context of your curiosity and leadership. A summer program instructors' voice isn't as broad because they deal w/ fewer HS students. Hope this makes sense & best of luck to you</p>