Hi guys! Two days ago I was accepted Early Decision to Johns Hopkins, and I will be attending in the Fall. This is a dream come true!!! For anyone who is currently going through the college admissions process, I want to let you know that you DO NOT have to be the “perfect” applicant to be offered admission by great schools. You just have to be yourself.
I worked extremely hard throughout high school. I had a really good GPA, but definitely imperfect test scores, and I wasn’t president/founder of a billion clubs. I got a 25 on the math section of the ACT. I dropped from Honors physics into Regents physics this year. I’m definitely not a math/science student, and it showed in my application.
I think I got in because throughout high school, I did what I really love - writing. I am the editor in chief of my school paper, I write for my local paper, I run a daily reflection blog, I submit pieces to my school’s art and lit magazine, and I won a national award through the 2012 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Writing has always been my passion, and I immersed myself in it throughout high school, including during the summer.
So my advice to you is to find what you love and throw yourself into it. Really involve yourself in that particular area of interest and let it shine through. If it’s research, you can find research opportunities. If it’s skydiving, go skydive! I’m not a perfect student, but I think my love for writing, and my decision to continue moving forward with that love in college, won over the JHU admissions officers. I still can’t believe I was offered admission to my dream school.
You’ve probably heard advice like this before, but for me, it made all the difference. Work hard and develop your interests, and it will pay off in the long run. Colleges love people who are passionate and involved. Find something you love and let it kill you.
Just kidding, Bukowski said that, and you probably shouldn’t follow his advice 