Too Late to Get Started?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a sophomore at a small Louisiana Catholic high school. Next year, I will be attending the Louisiana School for the Math, Science, and the Arts, which is one the state's best high schools. I want to start doing things that will put me on the right track to getting a top school. </p>

<p>Right I have a 4.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) and have a 29 on the ACT.
I don't know if I want to go to a big Ivy League school or not, but I want to have a chance at getting in in case I choose that route. I know whatever I do to improve my resume for an Ivy League will only help me get into other colleges.</p>

<p>Since my school is small and in Louisiana, I haven't had too many opportunities. Here's a small list of things I've done since my freshman year. I've only included the biggest things.
9th grade:
1st in computer science at district literary rally
2nd in computer science at state literary rally
100+ hospital volunteer hours. I worked in the EMS restocking ambulances.
Summer camp counselor
tech squad member
Designed and maintained school website.
Designed and maintained interim website for hospital.
Basketball team video recorder, letterman</p>

<p>10th grade:
1st in biology at district literary rally
100+ hospital volunteer hours. I continued in the EMS but also did work in IT (the computer department)
School ambassador
Tech member
Maintained school website
Beta Club member</p>

<p>I also have my own online business that makes a good amount of money. I started it 100% myself with no help from my parents. I also have a technology website (pcfastlane.com) with an article that has been linked to on USA Today's website.</p>

<p>Next year, I will have a lot more opportunities to participate in ECs. I know I will need to do more ECs if I want to get into a top school. Here is what I hope to do:
Crew or an inter mural sport if crew doesn't work out
Habitat for Humanity
Young Democrats Club
Amnesty International
NHS
Ambassadors
Astronomy Club</p>

<p>How much will owning a successful online business help me?
This summer I'm thinking about taking a first responder class so I can actually ride the ambulances during emergencies at the hospital where I volunteer. Would doing this impress colleges?</p>

<p>Am I on the right track?</p>

<p>Lastly, I've seem a lot of people in this forum who have won essay contests, awards for X, and various academic competitions. How did you find out about these things? I'm hoping my new high school next year will introduce me to a lot of these things. The high school I'm at right now is more interested in sports academic awards and competitions.</p>

2

<p>First of all, calm down. Enjoy your high school life too. Don't do as many EC's as possible so you can have a list thats 5 pages long to put on your apps.</p>

<p>Second of all, show some leadership potential in your EC's. Be an officer in a club, a student body officer, or something.</p>

<p>But seriously, I got tired just reading this post. Admissions officers may get tired reading your app and not take it as seriously.</p>

3

<p>you're definately on the right track, but instead of doing what seems to be totally random EC's (that list towards the end of your post), keep focusing on computer design, your medical interests, and maybe one other passion, not including volunteering.</p>

<p>DONT calm down! you're doing great, and i mean if you were not in high school yet or something like that i would agree with hellas about calming down, but what you do now really matters during college admissions and you're doing awesome so keep goin :)</p>

4

<p>Your ECs are fantastic, so don't you fret. You're grades are good, so just keep that up. Retake the ACT and try to do well on the SAT and some SAT IIs. Your applications will be very strong, just try to throw in a bit of leadership.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the advice guys. I guess I am overreacting.</p>

<p>I haven't had a chance to lead anything yet because those kind of things are left to juniors and seniors at my school. Hopefully I'll be an officer or president of a club next year or the year after.</p>