What can I do now to prepare?

[mikemac]

<p>Just so you know, joining this and that or racking up hours of participation is not what top colleges look for. They want to see leadership and achievement. So spreading yourself too thin may hurt you. </p>

<p>As a frosh it is wise to explore different areas to see what interests you most, but at some point you’ll probably want to focus on a small number of things where you can really make a difference. Top schools evaluate ECs like Stanford says on its website

Students often assume our primary concern is the number of activities in which one participates. In fact, an exceptional depth of experience in one or two activities may demonstrate your passion more than minimal participation in five or six clubs. We want to see the impact you have had on that club, in your school, or in the larger community, and we want to learn of the impact that experience has had on you.
<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/evaluate.html[/url][/quote]BTW”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/uga/basics/selection/evaluate.html

BTW</a> if you are at one of the top magnets, I suggest you take advantage of the resources you have right there with you and start talking with the college counselors. They can give you examples of what grads from your very school have done and the classes they have taken that prepared them for the top schools.</p>