<p>Hello, I'm only a sophomore but I'm really concerned about my grades. I have not been doing too well this last trimester of the year, and I'm very stressed about how this will look for college admissions. I am expecting to end high school with five or six B+'s, the rest A's. However, I'm taking the most rigorous coursework possible, with AP Euro, AP Music Theory, and AP Calc BC as a sophomore and about 7 more APs later on. I am only involved in about seven school clubs, but I hold leadership positions in three. Also, I am very, very passionate about piano, as I've been playing since I was 4 and my mom teaches me. I've won numerous awards, national and state, and performed at Carnegie hall. I am planning to write a pretty good essay on my musical journey for my college apps. Also, I plan on getting a 2300 or so on the SAT, considering I did very well on the PSAT this past fall. Other than that, there's nothing really "outstanding" about me. I want to major in economics, and some of my top choices are Princeton, NYU Stern, Cornell, Columbia, and Duke. I believe my standards are set too high for my current standings and I would like some advice in general on how to improve my chances. How can I spend my summers getting experience in the business area? How can I make the best out of my junior year? Is it possible to "make up" for my grades, or is it too late?</p>
<p>Grades are nowhere near a sole determiner when it comes to college. Honestly your intended repertoire sounds fantastic and what you’ve accomplished already is great too. I think your goal should be to get as many A’s as possible. Colleges would much rather have a kid who takes AP classes and gets a couple B+'s than one who takes regular classes and gets A’s by far. Your standards are certainly not set too high. Commit to those 2-3 clubs that you have leadership in and go above and beyond in them, do something unique with your love for piano and submit to colleges you want to attend, and try to pursue an internship or volunteer opportunity.</p>
<p>Summer activities should go in this order:</p>
<ol>
<li>Internship</li>
<li>Selective Program</li>
<li>Study for standardized testing</li>
<li>Pre-College Program (can be done in summer after junior year)</li>
</ol>
<p>Don’t be so worried! You really look like you’re on the right path, and it’s great that you’re getting ahead of the game. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Chance back? [Penn</a>, Harvard, Chicago and More!!](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1509778-chance-new-guy-penn-harvard-chicago-more-will-chance-back.html]Penn”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1509778-chance-new-guy-penn-harvard-chicago-more-will-chance-back.html)</p>
<p>Thanks slamdunkz24 for your opinion. Where would you suggest I should start searching for internships? I volunteer a lot around town/nursing homes/tutoring already so I guess I’m set on that part. </p>
<p>Also, I would chance you back if I had the knowledge! I’m still ignorant about college stuff yet so I don’t think I could provide you with an accurate response. However, I did read your info and you seem to be a strong candidate for many schools. Best wishes!</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I’d say looking for an internship in an area you’re passionate about or want to pursue in college is the primary thing you can do. Obviously it varies based on the companies within your state so I can’t be very specific. Just try talking to people or at the very least just Google high school internships in your state. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Okay, I’ll be searching then. Thanks!
Anyone else have more thoughts/advice?</p>
<p>pianogeek, I’m also a sophomore in the exact same boat you are. I really hope the advice applies to me as well! I think I’m ending high school in the same way. I also want to major in economics, or attend an undergraduate business school. </p>
<p>If it helps, I went to my counselor to talk about this and she said to aim really high on tests, from APs to SATiis to SAT/ACT. She said to think of it as a pie chart divided up into thirds: GPA comprises one third, ECs comprise another third, and test scores comprise the other third. It looks like you have really good musical ECs, so I think you’re good in that area. Both of us should focus on doing really well on our tests :)</p>
<p>That’s good to know! I think I will talk to my counselor soon as well.</p>
<p>Just another note: I’ll be applying for colleges with the aim of getting into Economics as my major so here’s another piece of advice. Don’t aim for the college with the best Economics program. More often than not, a school with a great name has a great Economics program. In addition, I also suggest that you look at some of the liberal arts colleges. They possess some of the best Economics programs in the nation. This includes but is not limited to Claremont McKenna, Williams College, and Amherst College. Those that get into business and economics really need to know what they want to do beyond undergrad because your decisiveness means everything in the world when it comes to a genre of degrees that leaves people’s job opportunities in flux.</p>