Prachi

Hi!! I am currently in my 9th Standard and want to start early with my applications to US. What do you suggest should be the roadmap that I should be following. Since also I have a lot of time what do you guys I
do to strengthen my profile...
I am a 9.0 CGPA student and play basketball for my school.

anialways

Get involved with some ECs, apart from the game that you are already involved in, like MUN or Media club, debate,music.. something that you enjoy. Add some community service related EC and through grades 9/10/11 is where you have the time to focus on these. Plan to intern in coming summers if you have the opportunity.


Apart from serious academics and choice and combination of subjects, these ECs help to explore, mould and build your personality, hopefully narrow down the major that you are likely to pursue, influence the place you would choose to go to college to and career path that you will finally want.

anvesh95

Just check this schedule out, might help -

9th Grade--
- Focus on Grades
- Involve yourself in different clubs and activities. Don't go for quantity, just try to be active and do something significant in a few.
- Get SAT/ACT books by the end of the year, and start preparing in the summer, just lightly.

10th Grade--
- Boards year! try getting really good in boards. Main Priority!
- Maybe take the SAT or the ACT once in like October/November in 10th. Just for understanding, but give it your best.
- ExtraCurriculars!

11th Grade--
- Internal Marks! 11th Are the most important scores. Try getting 85%+
- Start thinking of what you want to major in and maybe get yourself familiarized with the process of applying and all that.
- Take the SAT or ACT again! This should be the time where you aim to get the best score. Don't wait for another try.
- Extracurriculars!
- Towards the ending of the year, start looking at colleges and maybe through the summer and finalize your list before 12th starts.

12th Grade--
- Boards year! Do really well in Half yearly exams!
- Start working on the essays maybe in June-July. Don't postpone.
- Take Subject Tests in June or October. If you are confident, then take them in 11th, but they usually include some 12th portion too (For Sciences, as for as I know.)
- Start Apps!

Crystal31

I personally think you have alot of time for college just enjoy life and score well is my two cents advice

p25india

I agree with anvesh95!
Hi Prachi!
I think "alot of time" passes off very quickly, and then we think "we are late in preparation and we don't have time!"

So, 9th grade is the right time to start thinking about US admissions and to start preparing for the same!

1. Good Academic grades over all 4 years is one of the most important factor. so, maintain high grades through out 4 yrs.
2. Get involved in extra curricular activities and do well in them! Try to participate in State and National level competitions. Only do 2 or 3 but do well in whatever you do!
Whatever you do, do it for all 4 years if possible! Adm. officers want to see you sticking to whatever you do with full dedication!
3. Leadership skills: Try to become school captain, Basketball team captain, Head girl/boy etc, and show to the universities that you are a leader and not follower!
4. Give APs if your target is Ivies or Stanfor, MIT, caltec etc. - They give you an advantage of rigorous curriculum for admissions and will also grant you credits and advance placements, so as to save semesters/yr. I had taken 2 APs each year - after 9th, 10th, 11th.
5. Take SAT/ACT in Mid 11th for the first time. So that in case you need to improve the score, you have enough time!
6. Taking SAT II subject test in summer after your 11th would be good.
7. Take Toefl in the beginning of 12th.
8. during your summers, try to do something meaningful! Take summer programs if possible! You will get space to write about 6 summer things that you did in your college applications during these 4 years!
9. Start college applications in July-August, so that you get enough time to edit and re-edit your essays.
10 Make excellent impression on your teachers during these 4 years for LORs.