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im a sophomore and i was wondering what colleges i should be considering and what i should do to get into a good college. should i join more clubs/extracurric's? should i get a part time job?
7th grade Sat score: 800math, 640 verbal
Sophomore PSAT: 78math, 73verbal, 75writing
KeyClub & community service
Spanish Club member
Varsity Tennis
Tutor
ASsistant Counselor for church's camp
Youth Group member
Currently have one SAT2- Chinese (790)

By Jon on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 10:37 pm: Edit

btw, my GPA is a 98 but others in my suburban school have higher GPA's. also, should i be taking AP courses?

do i even have a chance at colleges such as princeton?
Thanks

By collegemom on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 03:25 pm: Edit

I'm sure that you are going to be very well positioned to apply to, and receive serious consideration from, many excellent schools. You are probably already receiving mail from colleges, right? Based on your PSAT scores?

The most important thing for you to do right now is not to be trying, seriously, to pick out colleges. Rather, keep on doing what you've been doing--be active in your ECs, get good grades, enjoy high school. In your occasional spare time you can do a little online college research, but don't make an obsession out of it yet. Sometime next year--probaby at about this time--it will be appropriate for you to begin to do serious college research and come up with a list of schools where you'd like to apply. Or maybe you'll have one very favorite first choice and you will want to apply ED.

You can start to visit a few schools any time you and your parents feel ready to start doing so, but your serious college visits should happen when you're a little older, a little more mature, and a little closer to really knowing what kind of a college you might like to attend. In other words, don't stress out about this just yet!

By Jon on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 05:12 pm: Edit

cool, thanks. just the answer i was looking for! after all this college stuff weve been getting, ive gotten nervous over what i should be doing. btw, ur right i HAVE gotten lotsa college mailing.

By Dadster on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 05:22 pm: Edit

To address one part of your question, Jon, focus on ECs that you enjoy. Don't join clubs just to add to your resume. In general, colleges that take extracurriculars into account prefer ECs that are significant and focused rather than a scattershot bunch of activities in which nothing was accomplished.

By amomynous on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 06:51 am: Edit

Just so you know, GPA and class rank are usually the most heavily weighted factors, neither of which you mentioned and then only as an afterthought. 7th grade Sat score and Sophomore PSAT count very little, if at all, in the big picture.

You should be taking AP courses, if possible. The most selective schools will look to see if you've challenged yourself with the most rigorous curriculum available to you.

I agree with the others in urging you to pursue activities you truly enjoy. A college like Princeton would probably expect to see evidence of leadership, involvement to a higher degree than basic membership. Good luck!

By Dave Berry on Friday, March 15, 2002 - 12:13 pm: Edit

Princeton's Fred Hargadon states that Princeton looks for "high-energy" students. IMO, this means that they seek applicants who pour themselves wholeheartedly into a relatively few passionately focused activities rather than spreading themselves across a huge list of things that betrays their "serial-joiner" leanings.

Oh, BTW, "amomynous," you get my vote for the most creative and punny handle here in College Confidential Land. Well done for a rare medium!

By amomynous on Monday, March 18, 2002 - 05:59 pm: Edit

Thank you, Dave. =)

By Ivy Wannabe on Monday, March 18, 2002 - 07:08 pm: Edit

Jon--I think you've gotten some great advice already, especially the part about not going nuts over this whole college admission business. I just want to add one thing: admission officers tend to notice when students select extracurricular pursuits that play against stereotypes. I noticed that you have a great SAT II score in Chinese already. Well, if your ethnic background is Chinese, I might suggest that you look around and see what others like you are doing for extras. Are they often involved in a youth group? Tennis team, too? Orchestra?
Now, ask yourself what you currently enjoy--or might enjoy trying--that will make you stand out among others who share your background. Formula One racing perhaps? Ice fishing? Playing the accordion? Writing Country Western Ballads?
Regardless of an applicant's ethncity, admission officials are always eager to see uncommon enterprises turn up on applications (and Spanish Club, Key Club,etc. hardly qualify). Of course, never select an activity merely because you think it will "look good," but--in concocting unusual ideas---you may come across something novel that you wouldn't have encountered by sticking to what you already do or know.

By Jon on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 04:48 pm: Edit

How do i find an extracurric that i can wholeheartedly pour myself into when i am honestly not interested in anything i have currently tried?
The only thing i have discovered a passion for is tennis. I play it all year round, in a league, in lessons, and on my school team. HOwever, since i only began playing one and a half years ago, i will not be good at it to have it be of much importance. (i previously played soccer and swam, because they were "more popular" sports)
What do u suggest?
Do i need to be recognized as spectacular in something to get into the elite schools?