<p>Hi Everyone,
I'm hoping you can all help me plan my way into Stanford. I'm only going to be a sophmore in high school, so I've got a little bit of time left to alter anything that needs fixing (I've got a 4.0 so far and I'm taking the hardest classwork possible at my school, but maybe I need to take a class I hadn't been planning on, or add a few more extracurriculars.) Stanford is my 'dream school' but I'm also open to others.
The no-description version of my extracurricular list is- voice, piano, drama, art, softball, "Just Say NO" counselor. Volunteerwise- A no-kill animal shelter (3 years so far), volunteer camp counselor at a farm day camp (1 summer), and I will be starting a weekend volunteer job at Cincinnati Riding for the Handicapped in a few weeks.
Neither of my parents went to college, and my high school is nice, but it's not in every class a student heads for an Ivy League.
My biggest concerns so far are-
This year will be my first year of French, so that means I will only have taken 3 years. Should I enroll in a summer-school class so that I can have taken 4 years worth?
Should I start playing another sport so that I can have more then just one (softball)? I've been considering tennis or rowing...
When do I need to start studying for the SATs and ACTs? Will I be okay studying on my own or with friends, or would you consider it worth it to hire a tutor?
I've had one summer job already (working at Coney Island, the local amusement park/pool, as part of the recreation staff, which meant I painted faces, was a camp counselor for a weeklong day camp, and did airbrush tattoos and the like at picnics and other events.) Would it be better if I kept the same job, or would it be better if I had a variety, working a different place each summer? Or should I do two summers at this and two summers at something else?
Do I need to take any courses in computers? I don't like them very much and so I haven't figured them into my four year schedule, still I guess I could if it was necessary.
Sorry this is so long, any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>Its admirable that youre starting to think about stuff early, but keep in mind that your profile will change DRASTICALLY over your high school years as you gain leadership positions in clubs, take harder classes, take standardized tests, etc. Just keep it in mind.
Do what you are interested in. You seem to be involved in many activities--I suggest really concentrating on your passions. Colleges like Stanford look for students who excel in their areas of interest. I don't mean academic interest, I mean extracurricular interest: music, athletics, community service, a club, etc. Try to win awards and take leadership roles in your activities. Don't spread yourself too thin.
You don't NEED to take computers.
As for studying for standardized tests: wait until you take the PSAT this October. Aim for a score above 200 (out of 240). You will definitely improve by junior year. I only recommend starting prep in sophomore year if your score is below 200. If it is, take a class over the summer and/or get a tutor. If it's above 200, wait until your junior year PSAT. Then start prep. I recommend taking the SAT either in January or April of your junior year (you will get junior year PSAT scores back in December so if they are pretty good, like 215ish, then go ahead and take the SAT in January. Otherwise take more time to prep and take the SATs in April. You then have time to retake in June and in the fall of senior year.)</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>The most important thing (IMO) is do what you like, not what you think you should do to get into xxxxxx college. Sure, you should probably take hard classes and have extracurriculars, but do what you really want to do. Don't take computers because you think you need it, because there is nothing you "need" to get into college, excpet a true interest in learning.</p>
<p>You don't need to have done <em>everything</em> in order to get into college (2 sports, 3 instruments, 12 jobs, etc.). What colleges want to see is that you have interests outside of what you are learning in school, and that, well, you're interested in them. Stick to doing what you enjoy doing.</p>
<p>A laundry list of extracurriculars does not tend to impress admission counselors at the most selective colleges. Better you focus your effort on what you like best, and put your heart into them. With a difficult school schedule, it is not going to be easy to put time and thought into outside activities. As for sports, they usually only count as another EC unless you are good enough to play on the college team. That you have consistently participated in sports does round out your profile, but I would not pick up new sports just to get into a better college. It isn't going to work. If you have always wanted to learn tennis, try rowing or any other sport, that is a different story. </p>
<p>You have a great start on your journey towards college with top grades. Yes, you should take some sort of SAT prep course unless it causes financial difficulties. With determination and initiative, you can self study with books, but that takes an enormous amount of discipline. Also now that the writing is included, it is helpful to get someone who knows how to assess an essay look at the part of the test. The only point I want to bring up about Jimbob's SAT timeline is that if you are taking a course for which you want to take the SAT2, June is the optimal time to do so unless your school is finished by early May. That last month of reviewing for finals can be part of your prep for the subject tests such as Bio, Am History, or whatever other course that you want to give a chance for the SAT. Also, if your SAT1 scores show you need more extensive test prep, you may want to take the SAT1 in October or even November, as repeats so that you have the summer to practice. With academics and extracurriculars that you have, it may be difficult to schedule a lot of SAT1 prep during junior year, especially if you are taking AP and SAT2s that spring as well. </p>
<p>The other thing you might consider is taking a college course, or one of the intense precollege programs. I say this, because you mention that your highschool does not tend to send many kids to top schools. By doing well in such courses, it demonstrates how well you do among other kids who are at that advanced level, not just your classmates at your highschool. If your school is short on AP type courses this is definitely a consideration. It also shows that you are motivated to "go beyond" your highschool offerings.</p>