Where do I stand?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys! I'm new here and like everyone else, I'm wondering where I fit in. As of now, I am not quite sure what caliber of school I should be looking at. So feedback would be appreciated and any recommendations as well.</p>

<p>Freshman Schedule & Grades</p>

<p>Algebra II Honors: 97
English I Integrated Honors: 96
Lab Biology Honors: 97
Latin 2 Honors: 100
Spanish 2 Honors: 97
World History Integrated Honors: 96</p>

<p>Sophomore Schedule & Grades</p>

<p>Plane Geometry Honors: 98
English II Integrated Honors: 96
Lab Chemistry Honors: 97
Spanish 3 Honors: 98
Latin 3 Honors: 100
US History I Integrated Honors: 96</p>

<p>Junior Schedule & Grades</p>

<p>AP Chemistry: 99
AP Statistics: 97
AP English Language & Composition: 98
Pre-Calculus Honors: 99
Spanish 4 Honors: 100
US History II Honors: 97</p>

<p>Unweighted Cumulative G.P.A: 3.97
Class Rank: 2/350</p>

<p>This May I took three AP tests and I am anticipating a 5 in AP Chem (My favorite subject) and 4 or 5's in the others.</p>

<p>I took the SAT for the first time this May: 2060
Mathematics: 690
Writing: 690
Critical Reading: 680
I definitely think I can improve on these scores and will be taking the SAT for a second time.</p>

<p>*4 Varsity Letters in Tennis and Track (Co-captain for Tennis)
*President of the Latin Tutoring Club
*Boy's State Delegate; will be attending this summer
*National Honor's Society
*Won 3rd Place out of 14,000 kids nationwide in Ayn Rand Essay Contest
*"Summa Cum Laude" (Highest Award) three consecutive years on National Latin Exam
*Leader of Science Competition
*Interact Community Service (100+ hours) and 2 year Relay For Life participant
*Drummer for Church orchestra</p>

<p>I hope I was specific enough in the areas provided. I'm a Junior and still have a year ahead of me (will be taking SAT IIs, ACT, senior course load, AP grades back etc.) but it is better to ask for guidance sooner rather than later.</p>

<p>So far, I have only look at one college thorough, Georgetown University, and I loved it! Do I stand a chance?
What do I need to improve upon to stand a chance at selective schools?</p>

<p>Thank you very much for your time!</p>

2

<p>Maybe I should be a little more specific about who I am and what colleges I am interested in.</p>

<p>Male, New Jersey, Public School, 17, Caucasian.</p>

<p>Last Summer: Job at a chocolate/ice cream shop, Educational tour of Italy for Latin studies
This Summer: Boys' State, Princeton Tennis Camp, Community Service Project (still in the works)</p>

<p>My problem is figuring out what is a target, match, reach, etc. Here are colleges I have checked out:</p>

<p>Georgetown
John Hopkins
UMiami
Wake Forest
UNC at CH
NYU
Are those out of my league? I think academically I fulfill the requirements, but I am not sure about my EC's.</p>

<p>Is it worth applying to/looking at any better schools?
My dad is an alumni of Stanford and I would love to go to the West coast. What about Upenn or Columbia? Two of my relatives have gone/are going to Columbia</p>

3

<p>The problem at "Better schools" is you seem to lack focus. What do you want to major in? All I can tell is that it isn't math/science. (?) I really can't give you that much advice... where do you want to go? It seems you are a jack of all trades, master of none. The methodology for many upper tier colleges is somewhere between "Awesome at one thing or Great at everything." and "Well-rounded, but with a few sharp points to keep them from rolling off the table."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but with a 2060 I think that we can assume there's a good amount of grade inflation going on at your school. </p>

<p>Pick what you love and focus on that... is it Latin? Do you want to be a linguist? I think you have the intelligence to go to almost any school-- you just have to show passion.</p>

4

<p>With my SAT score, I've never been good at college board standardized tests. I got a 152 on my first PSAT, i think that says enough. Everyone has always been shocked with how I used to preform on these tests, but I fear it was a lack of concentration. Now that I got a much better score this time with a 2060, I can relax and apply myself to my fullest capabilities. </p>

<p>I agree with you on all points so thanks for the feedback. My problem I believe is that I do lose focus and jump from place to place. Not everyone loves change, but I love trying new things, even if it doesn't mean a long commitment. </p>

<p>I definitely will have languages in my future - I love traveling, I love experiencing different languages, and most importantly I love learning languages in high school. But my problem is that I'm not entirely focused as you said on one single activity/skill.</p>

<p>As to the comment with "math/science", I love Chemistry. That and languages are my two best subjects. It just seems like a pair that doesn't fit, you know?</p>

<p>How can I make colleges look at me as someone with passion? I love contributing myself to my community and I always put my best foot forward. I don't know if they will be able to see that though.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
I love contributing myself to my community and I always put my best foot forward.

[/quote]
I'm sure you do....</p>

<p>AP Spanish? If that's not possible maybe talk to your teacher about a guided study. I don't believe there are many activities you can do to show passion, so your teacher's recs are really going to have to reflect that. Make sure you go the extra mile and look into extra opportunities. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Leader of Science Competition

[/quote]

?</p>

<p>I think you'll be fine though where ever you apply. Just know that admissions will be tough, and peaks next year... luck you!</p>

6

<p>Teacher Recommendations will be one of my assets - I'm very close with my Latin teacher (he's my tennis coach as well) and my Spanish teacher.</p>

<p>Thanks for all help :)</p>