<p>I work like 30 hours a week. All 7 hour shifts, too, right after school, 4-11. :( I'm really poor and from South Dakota, so I really don't have a choice... I need to work because everything here is like miles away and I need a vehicle, money for college, and I have to buy everything, including my clothes, etc... With working this much, and no study halls, it's hard to find time for ecs... And even here, in South Dakota, all there is to do is sports... I was in football for awhile, but I had to quit B/C I got a job. I volunteer in the summer at the local elementary school with the special ed summer school b/c they're low on staff. I'm in the German and Spanish clubs (I'm tri-lingual), but those clubs only meet a few times each year... Other than that, all there is is key club... And even then, you meet for like 20 minutes each wednesday and that's it... Wait... I almost forgot, there was a quiz bowl team--- I don't think it's still alive, though... My teacher for Algebra 2 last year, whom I despise (she's bi-polar and EXTREMELY rude) is ahead of the whole thing.. Not sure if that'd work out too well... I missed 35 days of school last year because of chronic sinus problems. This summer I saw a specialist and he told me that I'll have to either have surgery that requires me to be out of work for 5 wks b/c I'm not allowed to lift anything, or I can be on meds my whole life--IF they work. The meds make me really drowsy, but I still take them... They KIND of work. I'm really stuck in a jam... What should I do? I'm self studying AP u.s. history and AP Calc AB & BC, prepping for my sat, working 30 hours a week, and taking 8 credits this year (no study halls)-- All the hardest classes offered. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you</p>
<p>I think your situation is very unique, and you should at least explain your various predicaments in your essay. Also, why do you think joining clubs in school are intrinsic to success? Most school clubs, like language clubs, are pointless and more time-consuming then their worth. Do things like getting things published, science projects independently, etc.</p>
<p>--- Yeah... my whole life has been independent... I do what I want to do because I want to... Not because my parents tell me "this and this" will look good on a college app... I'm from South Dakota, to start with, and my parents are really poor. Since I was 6 I've been cooking my own meals-- Really. I burnt off a huge part of skin on my arm when I was making "canned corn" around that age and you can still see scars if you look closely enough. My childhood was terrible.. my dad was a drunk, and he divorced my mom, now he's back, and he's a drug and alcohol counselor, but he's still a drunk... I rely on only me. I'm the one and only independent variable in my life.</p>
<p>" Do things like getting things published, science projects independently, etc."</p>
<p>Lol... I could write a post saying that In South Dakota we don't have APs or honor courses and then they'll say "sign up for ap courses offered at your school." -- It's so funny when people assume things. Or they'll say " join the science and math clubs." --- don't even exist.... lol...Thank you for reading and giving input. I love math and history--- any ideas of "independent" things I can do to show this? I've taken all the social studies courses in my school. So now I'm independently studying AP U.S. History... I'm in pre-calc this year (junior), but I'm self studying Ap Calc A.B. and B.C. so I can show my passion for both math and the social sciences.</p>
<p>how are your grades?
im sure you could get a full scholarship somewhere- colleges, especially eastern ones, would love to say they have someone from south dakota</p>
<p>I have a 4.0 GPA, ranked 1/182. Yes, I know. I've been scanning these forums forever reading about "tip-factors and hooks." I've read that being from my state where only a few people apply (it's unheard of here) is a plus, as well as being poor-- if you play your cards right. My SAT projected score from the 3 tests in the blue book that I've taken thus far were all around 2350+or - 50.</p>
<p>I think sometimes people forget that theres actually a person behind the words that you see on this website (and other things too). Personally, I think you've done an amazing job considering your circumstances. I think writing this makes me seem a bit gushy, but yeah, I think you're more than fine (not only in terms of college admissions, but in terms of personal accomplishment). Best of luck, hardworking people like yourselves can always have my luck if you need it :D.</p>
<p>check this site out <a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/bvrankindex_brief.php%5B/url%5D">http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/bvrankindex_brief.php</a></p>
<p>you probably could have your pickings with most schools- terrific grades + scores + SD + lower SES - i bet that any school below the top 20 would give you a substantial amount of aid; my school (when i went there it was ranked 24th) gave me huge amounts of aid and my family is solid middle class.</p>
<p>"i bet that any school below the top 20 would give you a substantial amount of aid; " I know that Harvard and Princeton do, too.</p>
<p>Harvard2011..wow...you have quite a story...you have so much going...I wouldn't worry about extracurrics.....work and keep your grades up...maybe do one club ...the one you really care about...if there isn't a club like that ...forget it ....concentrate on school and keep from getting depressed. you know about Harvards new policy..IF you get in..and youre very low income ...you can get a free ride.......and yeah it does seem so many kids metagame their extra currics..rather than do something they like....makes you wonder how theyll end up in the end, huh ....</p>
<p>I can't offer much more advice (mainly what the other posters above said), but I wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>aww ur cute, yea you'll get into a good college with all ur aid paid for, dont worry bout it, you deserve it. got this soft spot for kiddies from rural areas who have to work full time jobs to support themsleves/family. its so beautiful.</p>
<p>Thank you all.... Unforunately, I didn't learn anything I didn't already know. I'm from south dakota, I have an interesting and unique background , and I'm low-income and from a very small town in SD-- not a place like sioux falls that has 140,000 people. ---- so those things set me apart from the other SD applicants. Again, anyone, no matter whom they're born to, can get anywhere if they have faith in themself and a lot of motivation. I'll just have to keep doing my 2 independent ap studies and working and prepping for the SAT more. It's also unforunate that a kid's income and zip code usually correlate with his or her sucess in HS.. You know, gpa,sat,ecs,etc... I better keep my mouth shut, because I wouldn't want to tell the cold hard truth.</p>