What do I need to get done?

Applying to College
1

<p>Right now I'm a rising sophomore, and I want to know what I should focus on the next few years for HYPSM. Freshman year was tough for me due to a combination of minor depression, severe over-stress and insomnia (I only had about 4 hours of sleep a night) resulting in me not being able to pay attention in class (I basically slept in every class). But I'm over that now, and I managed to maintain a 4.0, but my class rank slipped to something like 30/300 (I took a CP elective when others didn't and our school counts A+s). It should get better though.
Public school, top 100 in nation, competitive (we just graduated a USAMO and a Siemens winner, sent about 10 to HYSPM, 30 to top 20 schools)</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Race: ORM (asian)</p>

<p>ECs (Yes, I know I lack focus, there's only 7 spaces on the app and I'm probably going to burn out, what do I cut?)
Math Team (very good shot at getting captain later, basically between me and best friend). 50-50 shot of being able to make USAMO in Junior year (I have been studying)
Science Olympiad (" ")
Ping-pong team (Co-captain, can't cut out because I need the sports credit- and yes we do compete)
Debate/Forensics Team (Co-captain, will have captain by myself in junior year)
Chess Club (I just do this occasionally for fun, I'll have captain in junior year)
Class treasurer 2 years running (hopefully will be re-elected later)
Play the trumpet (very average, so not a selling point at all, hopefully I should be able to make the audition band eventually)
Jazz Band</p>

<p>This summer I'm doing 200 hours of community service at a local farm (and studying math).
I used to volunteer at the local food pantry (stopped due to lack of sleep, may start again eventually).</p>

<p>Hopefully I should make TASP in junior year. </p>

<h2>Any suggestions for what should I do next summer? (right now I'm thinking either a business internship or HCSSIM if I can get in)</h2>

<p>My main concern is that my app lacks focus and originality and I'm to going to burn out (I'm taking most rigorous courseload which will equate to 6 APs in Junior year, 2 this year)</p>

<p>What should I add and what should I cut?</p>

<p>Also, what looks better on your transcript, an extra AP or a year of band?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>My main concern with you lies in the fact that you seem to be grooming yourself for college apps. Lines like “what looks better on your transcript,” “what do I cut?” “I want to know what I should focus on the next few years,” and “Any suggestions for what should I do next summer?” are simply troubling. You should do stuff you’re passionate in. If you want to take the extra AP because you are very interested in the class, take it. If you want to do an internship next year because you think it would be a valuable and enjoyable experience, do it. But if you want to take the AP class because it “looks better” or the internship to make your app more competitive, maybe reconsider. </p>

<p>High school is a time to explore, to learn, and to have a good time (Now, I wouldn’t condone just completely slacking off, but try to strike a balance). High school should not be a time to groom yourself for something four years away (you can do that in college). And anyways, the very top colleges have a knack for recognizing students that do stuff for reasons other than because they are passionate about it, waitlisting/rejecting these students, and accepting students with marginally worse grades and test scores and a few less ECs, but who are passionate about what they pursue. With so many qualified applicants, these schools can do that. </p>

<p>So, what are your passions? Surely you have some. Math seems to definitely be one. So focus in math if you enjoy it. Tutor during the summer if you like that and want some dough. You enjoy chess, so stay in it if you have the time. What ECs do you cut? Those you aren’t passionate about. What classes do you take? Those you are passionate about. Do what you love doing, and college apps will take care of themselves.</p>

3

<p>I do agree with GammaG, but I would have to say take advantage of your school. You are very fortunate, and I would try to do research and enter Siemens/Intel as early as possible. Also keep working at doing USAMO. The fact of the matter is all EC’s are not created equal. If you advance in those competitions, your schedule/rank wont matter as much. </p>

<p>As far as the problem about common app spaces, I would advise just attaching a resume to give the colleges a better perspective of you.</p>

<p>Alas, as a fellow asian, I understand your pain/insomnia/depression. But use those ECs/sports that you really love doing as a coping mechanism(for me it was cross country and tennis). Good luck with everything and stay strong</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys. Yea, a concern for me is that this looks incredibly groomed. And that happened without trying (though I am kind of trying now during the summer).</p>

<p>Frankly I’m in all these things because I like to do them anyways, or I wouldn’t do them. It just happens that a lot of these are academic related. I don’t think I have quite the mind for science for Intel/Siemens however, though I may be mistaken. I’ll look into it. I’ll figure things out… I may end up staying in all of these, and simply cutting a few out of the application to make it look less groomed (college admissions is such a crapshoot <em>sigh</em>)</p>

<p>I suppose I just need to get more passionate in something I already do.</p>