What to do in my last 2 years of HS to prep for college apps?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi guys! I'm about to be a junior and I have no idea what's going on haha. About me:</p>

<ul>
<li>Chinese. Born/lived in China until 3.</li>
<li>Middle class family.</li>
</ul>

<p>Rank/GPA/APs:
- Around 15th out of 970.
- Current GPA: 4.0/4.66.
- 9th: Computer Science (4)
- 10th: Chinese (5) World History (5)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
<strong>CAT = college apps time</strong>
- 10 yrs piano by CAT. Numerous awards.
- Band: 7 yrs oboe/4 yrs alto sax by CAT. Drill Instructor (11) Historian (11)
- MAO (math club): Freshman Rep (9) Historian (10) President (11)
- Science Olympiad: Team went to nats (9th/10th) but I didn't go. Multiple medals.
- Debate: NFL Degree of Honor. Coach is 1 of top 5 in the nation.
- FBLA (business club): Qualified/attended district, state, and nationals (9th/10th)
- ~200 volunteer hours by CAT. Scattered community volunteering though, nothing like consistent hospital volunteering.
- Member of NHS and Chinese Club, but no leadership or achievements.</p>

<p>Goals:
- GPA: 4.0/4.75+ (Continue straight A's)
- Rank: 15/970 or higher.
- PSAT: 225+ (National Merit?)
- SAT: 2300+
- Band: Make Region Full-Orch. Make Region Band. Get a 1 on solo/ensemble at State. Go to State for marching band. Pretty much guaranteed the same, if not better, leadership positions senior year.
- MAO: President (12)
- Science Olympiad: More medals. Go to nationals.
- Debate: NFL Degree of Excellence.
- FBLA: Officer (12) Attend district, state, and nationals again.
- Consistent volunteering job?
- 4s and 5s on APs.
- 750+ on subject tests.</p>

<p>Plans:
- 11th grade Subject Tests: Math 1, Math 2, Chem, Physics, Bio E/M (maybe), Chinese.
- 11th grade APs (before CAT): U.S. History, Stats, English Lang, Environmental Science, Chem.
- 12th grade APs (after CAT): Calc AB/BC, English Lit, Gov, Mic/Mac Eco, Bio, Physics B/C, Psych (maybe), Human Geo (maybe).</p>

<p>Questions:
- Do JH accomplishments matter? Ex. I was on the vball, bball, and track team.
- Explain National Merit/other prestigious programs I can apply for?
- How many colleges/which should I apply to? I want to be a doctor!
- Which Gov/Eco AP(s) should I take? Both? We have general classes called "Government" and "Economics" instead of specific ones.
- For Physics/Calc, if you take the C/BC, should you also take the B/AB AP exam?
- Do colleges see all your AP scores, or just the ones you send them?
- I have poor Math 1, Bio E, and World History subject test scores. Will colleges see them even if I don't send them? Retaking Math 1 for sure. Should I retake Bio E? Should I take Bio M at all? Not taking AP Bio until 12th grade.
- Things I should focus on/improve? Other tips would be great too!</p>

2

<p>Bump! Can anyone help? :)</p>

3

<p>Bump again.</p>

4

<p>You definitely seem to be a well-rounded individual who has a good chance of getting into some good colleges. I cannot answer all of your questions, but I will do my best to answer some of them.</p>

<p>Junior high achievements could be considered in your application, but they will not cover much weight. Colleges will wonder why you did sports in junior high but not in high school.</p>

<p>You will want to take the PSAT this year in order to be in the running for National Merit Scholar awards. Start preparing for the PSAT now, which is administered in October. For more information, check out this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1365011-faq-psat-sat-nmsf-nmf-process.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/1365011-faq-psat-sat-nmsf-nmf-process.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The number of colleges you are applying depends on what colleges you are applying to. If you apply to highly selective schools, you will definitely want to have some “safety” schools lined up. Seven schools is probably a good number. Start researching colleges and universities now. Look for colleges that have good pre-med programs and then visit those colleges to determine if they are the right fit for you. The earlier you start researching, the less stress you will have later on.</p>

<p>When you apply to colleges, you will list your AP scores, you don’t have to send official score reports. You will only send official score reports to the college that you plan to go to.</p>

<p>You will definitely want to seek leadership positions in your extracurricular activities. Being involved in a lot of extracurriculars will not help your applications if you don’t hold some leadership positions. Try to find clubs/causes that appeal to you, dedicate yourself to them, and become a leader. Remember, QUALITY over quantity. Prepare for the PSAT now and once you get your scores back, focus your SAT prep accordingly. For SAT prep advice, check out the SAT Preparation forum. Continue to challenge yourself academically and stay involved outside of school. Stay focused on your goals and strive to do your best.</p>

5

<p>^<em>Junior high achievements could be considered in your application, but they will not carry much weight.</em></p>

6

<p>You’re right, it’s probably best not to mention NHS, Chinese Club, or any of my junior high sports. Thanks for the reply and the PSAT/SAT link! :)</p>

7

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<p>National Merit status can get you some large scholarships:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html&lt;/a&gt;
Note that your stats alone can also get some:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;
Keeping costs down can be important, because medical school is expensive.</p>

<p>As far as which APs to take, check the colleges you are considering to see what AP credit they accept. However, note that many medical schools do not accept AP credit (although they may be more lenient for calculus if they require calculus), so if you gain AP credit in the pre-med subjects, you are likely to have to either retake the courses in college or substitute more advanced courses in the same subjects as the AP credit you use to skip the introductory courses.</p>

<p>It generally is not worth the bother to take both physics or both calculus APs. For the SAT subject tests, just take math level 2 after you complete trigonometry and precalculus. Very few schools require more than two SAT subject tests.</p>

<p>For number of schools to apply to, first find your safety schools that you know you will be admitted to, know you can afford, and will like to attend (perhaps the automatic scholarship list, National Merit scholarship list if you get National Merit, and in-state public schools can provide good candidates). Then add other schools that you may choose over your safety schools (no point in applying to any school you like less than your safeties).</p>

<p>A desirable school for pre-med has the following characteristics:</p>

<ul>
<li>Low net cost after financial aid and scholarships.</li>
<li>Pre-med courses that prepare you well for the MCAT.</li>
<li>High grade inflation relative to student competitiveness.</li>
<li>Convenient availability of pre-med extracurriculars (volunteering and shadowing in hospitals and the like).</li>
</ul>

<p>Note that no specific undergraduate major is required to take the pre-med courses and apply to medical school. However, a high MCAT score and GPA are needed to get into any MD medical school in the US.</p>

8

<p>Don’t include junior high stuff as a rule. It’s a waste of valuable application space. </p>

<p>Honestly, what stood out most to me about your app was the 7 years of oboe. It’s great that you play other instruments and all, but oboe is one of those rarer instruments that colleges have to include in their freshman classes. Do an arts supplement (live audition or send in a tape). You might not be incredibly serious about oboe, but trust me it will help a ton with the more competitive schools. Most of the really intense musicians will be music majors at conservatories and music schools. You don’t have to be one of the best players to do a supplement. Also, if you’re looking for some scholarships then a live audition will sometimes help. The more they want you the more they’ll be willing to pay you.</p>

9

<p>Ucbalumnus: Thanks for the links! One more question: I go to a very large school where everyone takes the AP exam for every AP class they take. After reading your comment, it kind of seems like a waste of effort, unless it will benefit you in college. So is it a misconception that if you take the AP class, you should definitely take the AP exam?</p>

<p>Lagging: Oh, I wasn’t aware that apps had a limit! Can you explain that for me? Also, I’m pretty decent at oboe, and might continue playing in my own time, although I probably won’t join band in college. In that situation, would a supplement still hold any value?</p>

10

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<p>Generally, it is best to take the AP test if you have completed the AP course, unless you know for sure that it will be worthless at the college you will attend (typically for senior year APs after you have decided what college to attend – but even then, if you may transfer, the AP test may be useful at the colleges you will potentially transfer to). Taking the AP test if you are not sure avoid closing off options later (you do not want to be in college wishing you had taken the AP test back in high school to fulfill some requirement that you would rather not retake).</p>

11

<p>Yes a supplement will still hold value. Lots of value for an oboe player. Honestly, it’s like a hook in the more selective school admissions. Those schools that value ECs will generally love to have an oboe player. Oboe, tuba, bassoon, viola, string bass, and a few others. Remember to mark that you are considering playing in college. “Considering” puts no obligation on your part. Don’t outright say “I wont play.” If you have to say anything, say considering. Or you can say nothing (unless they directly ask). But don’t directly say you’re not interested. That part is very important! </p>

<p>They have no way of knowing whether or not you will play in college. If you’re not going to a music school, they’ll be aware that very few people will major in music. </p>

<p>Certain apps have a limit. The common app limits the amount of activities you can list and so do a lot of schools. They do it because they value quality of quantity. Better to be passionate about a few things than to be “a member of” 10 clubs.</p>