s2lees

My mom's got a really high expectation of me and she won't pay for my college education if I don't get into a great school - like ivy league schools.
I'm a good student, but not a straight A student. I had four As and one B last year.
I really want to go to good school, not just because Mom wants me to, but because I have big dreams for myself as well.
I don't think I'm too late in starting to prepare, so how should I spend the rest of my highschool career in order to get into an Ivy league school?
Any advice from past applicants I'll take graciously.
Oh, and I go to a private prep school - does anyone know how much your highschool status helps in college application?
I don't know if I wrote this too cool, but I'm actually really anxious even now..

10tlala

Well, Ivies really want outstanding grades even to apply. I would aim for a 4.0 unweighted if you could. Then, focus on your standardized testing and extracurricular activities. I think that even if you don't have a 4.0 unweighted freshman year, if you get straight A's for the rest of high school, you're showing your improvement. I'm going to be a senior and I totally get the jitters you must be feeling. Don't worry though. As long as you plan everything out so that YOU are comfortable, you will be fine and ready for an IVY!

s2lees

thanks so much for the encouragement!!

RAlec114

some people are dreamers, some are workers. you need to be both to get into an ivy league school, especially harvard.

tips:
-get perfect grades, if you do, you'll probably get into the top 5% of your class (IDK how competitive your school is)
-study for the SATs, PSATs, NOW!
-be prepared for all AP tests, buy the test prep books and never cram. study when you have the free time
-if you have an area of specialty, focus on it.
-since it appears that you don't have much sports/music specialty, you need to excel in:
-clubs (president/founder)
-volunteer work
-following your interests. Shadow a doctor/dentist/whatever thats a family friend.

etc.

you know what you need to do! you just need to do it

breaker746

GPA and SAT's/ACT's are the most important things, but that alone won't get you into an ivy. Join every club you can at your highschool and rise to presidential positions. Volunteer as well. Play a sport if you can and do some sort of internship. You can intern at a bank or government official's office, whatever your interests are. Take all of the AP courses you can! As RAlec114 said, start test prep now; you can start studying for PSAT's and some Subject SAT's. Ivies want leadership in the community, so anything that you believe shows that is good. And continue looking around College Confidential and look at the resumes of Harvard acceptees. You'll get an idea of what is required. Just be involved.

Biggie_Smalls

You gotta believe, man.

Gwen2310

Hmm, this post's been really helpful because I'm a sophomore now. Thanks everyone.

Collegestress16

Maintaining your grades and building close relations with teachers who you think will be writing your recommendations are pretty key in getting in. Since you are only a sophomore, start exploring your specific passions because adcoms LOVE to see "well rounded" students as well as " well lopsided" students who demonstrate enthusiasm in one or two specific areas such as community service or leadership.
Selective colleges normally have an idea of the difficulty of your high school and will definitely take that into account when they compare you to students from public schools where everyone gets an A.

deuante12

when i was a sophmore i signed up for AP classes and weighed myself down with lots of EC and sports DONT DO THIS don't forget you have 3 years spread your EC out and don't take AP's that you are not interested in. I almost screwed up my chances at Harvard in my sophmore year don't do what i did.