<p>Honestly, just relax. In the 8th grade, I only knew of two Ivies (Harvard because, well, who hasn't heard of Harvard? And Columbia because I live very near it.) and I wasn't even thinking about college, yet I got into three Ivies. Another tidbit of advice, although the Ivy League consists of some of the most competitive schools in the country, they aren't the only good schools out there. And I know this may sound hypocritical considering I will be attending an Ivy next year, but seriously, look into other colleges. Duke is a great school, as are Stanford and University of Chicago along with a great deal of other schools if you're looking at research universities. And there are many great liberal arts schools out there too. I didn't just apply to the Ivy league and I made my choice based on a large variety of factors, not just because the school is an Ivy. The college application process isn't about getting into the best college, but about getting into the best college for you.</p>
<p>How you do in junior high does not necessarily reflect how you will do in high school. The girl who was valedictorian at my junior high, for example, is far below me in rank now in 12th grade, as is the salutatorian from my junior high. High school and junior high are completely different experiences. Make sure to enjoy your high school years and don't just concern yourself with activities you're only doing to impress colleges; make room in your schedule for things you like to do too. As WatchMeShine posted earlier, colleges can see through ECs you're doing just to impress them.</p>
<p>Be careful of burnout. Sometimes, when you start stressing too early about prestigious colleges, you won't be determined enough in junior/senior year. I personally peaked in 8th grade and have been trying to regain my middle-school work ethic :) But, seriously, sometimes the best things happen when you're not overanalyzing them. For my Yale app, it was nearing the deadline, so I let my personality shine and wrote quirky, bizarre short answers and stopped thinking what admissions wanted to see. My regional officer later told me my short answer was her favorite part. </p>
<p>Obviously, try to get your grades as high as possible, and more importantly, your rank. But, extraordinary ECs -will- compensate for not-perfect grades.</p>
<p>In high school, make sure you have amazing relationships with at least 2 teachers. Participate in class. Do extra reading/research/etc. Distinguish yourself from the rest of the class. ENJOY learning the material for learning's sake. </p>
<p>Ditto the previous "find a passion" in ECs. Don't become a serial-club-joiner to pad your resume, because that's useless. Whether you're interested in the humanities/sciences/language/whatever, find opportunities in your interest, like contests, research, summer camps, etc. CC is a great resource for this.
But, CC can also be a massive waste of time (ex. What are my chances? threads)</p>
<p>honestly, thank you so much for the advice you guys have given me. as I go back and read on what I wrote, I'm seeing that I'm worrying myself out about what colleges will see, not what I truly like. i'm still trying to figure out what I like + what's best for me. as I think about what ECs I do want to keep up with, I'm thinking I'll stick with piano or some sort of music and choir, and if I like it, dance...but I suppose I'll just have to wait and see, huh? lol... </p>
<p>yet, i'm still wondering if I should go out for volleyball or track in high school. they're definitely extremely competitive and strenous at our school, and I don't think I would excel it it, you know? is it better to stick with something that doesn't tire me out, and I can excel in, rather than sports, just because they are, well, "sports"? </p>
<p>regardless of what I just asked, thank you SO much. I really didn't expect this many responses. I've learned to look at what I have a passion for, or what I can be commited to. thanks once again! =]</p>
<p>please please please enjoy your high school while you have a chance... do not waste it worrying about college. Do not waste it skipping school and failing class either though. You're perspectives on college/careers/life in general will change a million times over before you even graduate high school. Just be on top of your academic game in HS, but remember this is your ONLY time in high school, so make sure you have fun. I didn't think about an ounce of college until my senior year, and I still go into my first choice and am maintaining a 4.0. O yeah, about the sports, personally I would do something you would excel in. Thats me though.
Takeaway: You have all the time in the world, just kick everyone's ass in HS (academically of course) and be sure to still party a bit... you don't wanna be bad at that in college do you?
Haha</p>
<p>I been reading this website since my D was in 5th grade, basically I was just gather information on how to advise D to plan for her schedule. She never reads this site. She thinks I'm crazy for reading this site all the time.( or at least when I'm bored)But my advice for the OP is to get off this website. It's a poor way to spend your time, you must have something better today, no?</p>