<p>is freshman too early to have decided on a college and try to work at getting in?</p>
<p>It's excellent that you are starting at the right time. I wish I had started preparing since freshman year, or even eighth grade. </p>
<p>Applying to a pretigious university takes a continous plan with rigorous classes rather than a one year of good grades.</p>
<p>I think that yes, Freshmen year is too early to have decided on a specific college. First of all, you change a lot between Freshmen and Senior, so it’s just kind of pointless to decide this early. And if you are totally focused on one school from an early age, it might blind you to options that might make you happieronce you get to senior year (silly example: Rory on Gilmore Girls almost chose Harvard over Yale, even though she actually liked Yale better, just because her "goal" had always been Harvard).</p>
<p>And, of course, there is the obvious fact that if you have your heart set on one school for so long and live your life trying to get in and then you don’t, that will really hurt, more than getting rejected by a school that only became your top choice in junior or senior year.</p>
<p>OTOH, it is a good idea to be thinking about college in general, and making sure you do what you can to make yourself a good applicant. Work hard in school, take as many challenging courses as possible, don’t totally blow of the PSATs (since being a NMS semi-finalist can be helpful), study for the SATs/ACTs and AP tests, etc. etc. </p>
<p>Also, don’t just do ECs to get into college. I mean, you should definitely make sure you have some, but don’t just pick the ones you think that the colleges you might apply to will like, since what they really want to see is passion. Don’t be afraid to pursue something if it really interests you!</p>
<p>I agree with Weskid.
Columbia University has been my dream college ever since freshman year
My momn introduced me to Columbia at the age of just 9. I still remember the exact day we spoke in the kitchen about college and she brought up Columbia. I didn't really pay much attention to it growing up but once I hit my freshman year, I researched it and fell in love (already). I immediately declared Columbia my dream school and up till this day I am still in the process of trying to get in. Applied ED</p>
<p>But my perspective on your thread is that those who think early and big usually come out successful (depending on how you structure your future)
So ummm, go ahead and claim your dream school for now but be open to other colleges. Pay attention to all aspects of those colleges. Make your official list of colleges in your sophomore or junior year. Make sure it includes the usual; matches, reaches, safetys etc. Do well in high school and outside of school & you're good to go! </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Please listen to a junior who wishes she was as smart as you and started planning early:
1. figure out your talents, likes, strengths, etc.
2. do some job shadowing to get an idea of what you will like to do for a living
3. keep your grades up, volunteer, gain leadership positions, start a club, extracurricular activities
4. have ideas for what to do during your summer (college class, travel, volunteer, etc)
5. once you know what you like and have built the foundation for your resume, find colleges that would<br>
suit your personality/likes</p>
<p>Best of Luck!</p>
<p>most importantly, regret nothing.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks guys!i'll make sure to scope out a few more!</p>
<p>oh, and is it possible to take those tests at the end of THIS year? my honors classes are all sophmore classes really...</p>