<p>I'm a high school freshmen who,like many, hs big dreams of going to an Ivy League School. I guess I basically want suggestions for the people who have been successful in the college application process, because I know that I have to start early in order to have a shot.</p>
<p>Grades: 4.0 so far, at an IB school in Michigan ranked second best in the country. (Newsweek)</p>
<p>Prior Accomplishments:</p>
<p>-very involved and accomplished in math, including a trip to National Mathcounts last year, being an AMC8 and AMC10 winner (also last year), qualifying for CMO, being among the regional winners for Mandelbrot, etc.
-1990 SAT last year, waiting for scores from January SAT (I'll update this when they come)
-class officer, definitely into leadership, etc.
-saxophone since fifth grade
-basketball - our school doesn't offer sports and my arm is conveniently broken, but I play a lot outside of school
-temple - very dedicated, member of youth organization</p>
<p>I'm pretty much blanking out, but I'd say my extra curriculars are lacking because I'm just another Indian male who does math. Does anyone have suggestions for things I could do this summer to get a head start? I'd like to knock a couple AP's off this year (statistics?) but I don't know if I'd be able to succeed. Any suggestions are welcome. My sister got into a number of Ivies and is now at Michigan on a full ride, and she provides valuable advice, but I'd still like to hear.</p>
<p>Sorry I’m no help, but I just have a question: You’re a freshman, but you’ve done SAT… how did that happen? Is that common in the states? I live in Canada and at my school they say you can’t write until grade 12. They let me write PSAT this year in grade nine though.</p>
<p>How are they stratospheric? At least from what I gather, you say his stats are extremely high so far. Or do you mean they’re second-at-best? Using a multifaceted word in online text sends mixed signals.</p>
<p>Anyways, for the prior interpretation, I don’t think his academic stats are so remarkably high. I mean, it’s apparent he’s great at math, but a 1990 shouldn’t make you feel stupid. I’m not trying to take any credit away from the OP for doing well at a young age, but plenty of kids his age do just as well or even better.</p>
<p>And stop worrying about Harvard. It’s recommended that you’re cognizant of your future (I’m not telling you to just breeze through high school without a care in the world) but don’t let it envelop your life. It kind of enveloped my mind when I was mid-way through freshman year. And it’s stupid because you can’t predict the future and the rest of high school is so much different than freshman year. Even 10th grade was much different than 9th grade, in terms of feel, atmosphere, academic rigor, and school activities. I’m not telling you to stay off the site; just don’t take this stuff too seriously. College doesn’t really matter, if you think about it. If there’s any reason to get paranoid, getting crazy over a job and MAYBE grad school is more worthwhile. Think of the big picture. College will help shape who you are, but it won’t determine your success.</p>
<p>Sorry. I did mean that they are extremely high. In addition to the math stuff, I really do feel that a 1990 in eighth grade is very, very impressive… or maybe I just haven’t seen enough of these high-achieving kids. Oh, and it wasn’t me that said he made me feel stupid And a 4.0 at an “IB school in Michigan ranked second best in the country” is certainly pretty good, although I realize that it’s by no means outstanding considering it’s his freshman year and that plenty of other kids do similarly.</p>
<p>So maybe I used the wrong adjective there. I still think he’s very accomplished and the score is outstanding for a freshman, but “stratospheric” was needlessly vague and perhaps inappropriate in context. Thanks for pointing it out and allowing me to correct myself, though.</p>
<p>No problem. And I hope I didn’t make you think I was trying to negatively criticize you. “Stratospheric” just raised flags that I wanted you to address (I’d rather hear what you have to say than make some false pretense). And as for “high-achieving kids” have you heard of EPGY, CTY, or Duke TIP? Although the application process isn’t very “selective,” you do have to take the SAT/ACT or some alternative to get in. And I think the requirements for 8th-9th graders to qualify are like 650+ on each section. So yeah, there are plenty of kids like the OP. I remember getting a 2010 at the end of 8th grade, but needless to say, there was one chubby Asian kid at my CTY camp who scored a 2120 on his SAT in 7th grade. Ridiculous.</p>
<p>This kid seems like he’s had his hand held throughout his schooling so far, which is really a shame. No 8th grader would take the SAT without heavy prodding from his or her parents.</p>
<p>Well don’t just assume that. I took the SAT without really understanding it, but my parents definitely don’t prod me. Sometimes kids are self-motivated and their parents try to find opportunities (like these programs) for them to do.</p>
<p>The main reason I posted this was for suggestions of what I can do this summer. I’ve looked at programs like Duke TIP, CTD (at Northwestern), and AwesomeMath, but they’re all pretty expensive. Are there any affordable and moderately prestigious ones out there, or am I basically contradicting myself?</p>
<p>Hey there delilah, what’s it like in New York City? I’m a thousand miles away, but girl, tonight you look so pretty… yes you do. Time Square can’t shine as bright as you… you know it’s true. Oh god. This song is so middle school. Good times though.</p>
<p>My D had a 1960 in 8th grade, and ended up with a 221 PSAT, and a 2210 SAT. So…1990 is very good. But it’s hard to tell how far one will go. My D took her SAT at the start of her Junior year. I WISH I could have convinced her to retake as a senior. She was satisfied, and had subject tests to deal with (and VERY VERY few Saturdays). So she opted for the ACT instead and got a 34. But she took nothing as a senior. Since she was interested in Ivies…I REALLY wish she’d tried the SAT again as a senior, but…whatcha gonna do? Just thought I’d throw these numbers in so you can see the possible progression from 1990.</p>
<p>You’re a freshman. Do what you WANT to do this summer. Chill with friends, go on vacations, finish summer homework. There will be time enough for you to go to all these fancy programs and do internships/jobs. I spent my freshman year vacationing in China, and it was a BLAST <3 I loved it and just had fun- which is what you’re supposed to do when you’re young.</p>
<p>If you get bored, try and find an internship/volunteer/job in something you like. Ask around- there’s usually lots of hidden opportunities.</p>
<p>But don’t stress. Trust me when I say, you have plenty of time.</p>
<p>EDIT: also on the SAT thing- I didn’t take my first SAT until I was a junior. I just think that there are some things on the SAT that come with time, practice, and maturity. your classes will help you do better on the SAT as you get older. no use freaking out about it now…</p>
<p>Start looking for your passion. There are plenty of kids bred since birth to get into Harvard, with a ton of extracurriculars, 5000 volunteer hours, leader of this, captain of that, straight A’s, and perfect test scores, but the adcoms look for more than that. They look for kids with a true, clear passion for something. They want to see that you’ll have something unique to bring to the school. Do something that purely interests you and isn’t just to look good on a college application. Excel in it. Demonstrate it in your app. That, coupled with stellar stats and a healthy balance of other extracurriculars, will probably give you the best chance for admission.</p>
<p>Can you explain what kinds of programs you are interested in for the summer? I emphasize the word “interest” , as opposed to resume-building as a motive.</p>
<p>I always feel sad when I see these posts from kids this young. Please, don’t live your life this way. Focus on the present, do things that you love to do, make friends, learn and explore. Sounds trite, but really, don’t spend your high school years too focused on college admissions.</p>
<p>Harvard is a great school, but there are many, many other great schools. Look into many schools if you insist on thinking about college at this stage of the game.</p>
<p>And stop taking tests for now. Ivies don’t admit people on that basis alone. I read that only 15% of perfect SAT scorers get in. </p>
<p>Harvard admissions is “holistic.” They want to build a student population with diverse backgrounds and interests. So focus on being yourself, and finding out what that is. That’s the best way to prepare. Again, that sounds trite, yes, but it really is true.</p>
<p>If you love math, keep doing the stuff you are doing. That is part of who you are. </p>
<p>As for summer, do what you want to do, as others have said. Depending on your family’s financial situation, the options are broad. Or, at your age, you could get a first job or volunteer somewhere. Don’t worry so much about it. (My daughter is at Harvard and all she did was babysit at your age. She might have been a candy-striper one day a week at our local hospital, I don’t remember.)</p>
<p>My daughter is at Harvard too, and all she did summers was go to and later work at camp. Not math camp, not band camp, not any special kind of camp - just good old camp fun. Just do what you enjoy.</p>
And a 4.0 at an “IB school in Michigan ranked second best in the country” is certainly pretty good, although I realize that it’s by no means outstanding considering it’s his freshman year and that plenty of other kids do similarly.</p>