I sorta have to agree with CollegeFobia; you definitely are giving off negative vibes. I can't blame you though, I guess I was kinda like you last year as well. However, I learned to calm down and focus on getting more things done rather than continuously thinking about my GPA not being .01 higher or taking that extra AP.
But I have to say, calm yourself down because I guarantee you, there is no way you will be able to self study ~7 APs this year (especially if you had to drop out of APUSH because you couldn't handle the workload). You can tell yourself that you can do it, but honestly unless you're superman or don't like sleeping for 3+ hours it will be extremely hard. It will also probably be not worth it, since having a fairly significant EC definitely outweighs selfing an extra 2-3 APs. I highly recommend you work on maintaining your current GPA/SAT progress, but focus on some of those internships and "over the top" ECs. Work on gaining leadership positions, and try expanding that math gig into a larger business. You also lack a few awards, try winning something major. Work on the intangibles that make up a Wharton student, not just the grades and APs.
I would also not worry about the sabotaging and just focus on doing the best you can. Just my 2 cents aha.
Hello υ (upsilon), thanks for your response! I only dropped out of APUSH to study for the SAT's and introduce a huge program for AP Calculus at my school. This year, the program will have been stabilized as well as the fact that I am taking the SAT in June allows me to study more APs. I agree that it's not all about the GPA and APs. I have to focus on ECs, I agree. In terms of expanding into a larger business, would you recommend a non-profit organization? I hope to win awards this year in Math and Physics competitions, though I know it is unlikely given my current background. We'll see...
I have to tell you I have not seen someone so driven to do what they think a school wants. The adcomm will smell it like a rat. How about being authentic. I'm not sure you know your authentic self you are so busy frenetically scrambling to do something you perceive as right. Wow. Take a deep breath, knock off all the self study APs and find your self. Then do something you really love.
A nonprofit organization is a public trust and, as such, requires extra recordkeeping and reporting, at federal, state, and local levels. If you're doing all of that, as well as the program your organization will do, you won't have time for anything else.
Other students have had this fantasy, and those of us with experience have worked hard to dissuade them.
You have other legal options for an organization, such as a C corporation. They'll be easier and will require less paperwork and professional help.
Thanks again everybody. One more bump for any extra advice? School started. Studying for the SAT sucks, but it has to be done. I was shocked to find the 1874/9.2 million rate of perfect scores. I probably won't be the 1875th. Anyhow, it is good to get a 2350+. Anybody have more advice?
Bump. Can anybody else give me some good advice? I'm trying for the Intel ISEF contest later this year, but I know it's really hard to get anywhere with that. I'm also doing the AMC 12 (in eighth grade, I did the AMC 8 at Princeton University and scored an 18, which isn't bad but is not very good either). Can anybody give tips on how to better my application? Or even what to focus on. I have no clue at this point, as I have no older siblings to really tell me how things work and my parents are immigrants who moved here in the mid-90s. I am visiting Wharton on October 13, however. Do those information sessions help?
Btw, wharton doesn't really give a crap if you're overachieving. It's actually preferred (like how being smart, poor and desperate works well in finance). It's fine to come off as intense and motivated as long as you don't appear arrogant. The college will tend to like poking at your real passions more but wharton will appreciate the focus. There's nothing wrong with learning to become better at something anyways. Practice is rarely fun but always useful.
I appreciate your response, disgradius. I'm not sure if I still want to ED to Wharton, as a lot has changed since this post has been created, but I'll see.
Sup Independentstudy. I was oh so much like you last year (I'm a junior now, 16yrs old.) Always worrying about that one extra ACT point or that one more AP class. I've come to a significant realization.
If you are as motivated and success driven as you say you are and you are smart and have a Type-A personality... it does NOT matter where you go. Okay take that with a grain of salt.
While going to a school like Wharton will look great and will probably get you a bunch of sweet internships at Goldman and Sachs or UBS, I think those that will be truly successful don't need "The Wharton School" on their transcripts. Now most kids that are motivated and success drive will end up attending Wharton or Mendoza, their are the few (like me) who don't have the "wow" factor or legacy parents to get them in. Those kids will find a way to be successful.
I only have a 28 ACT (almost an immediate rejection letter for Penn) but have the skills and abilities to lead unlike most students. *ignore arrogance*
I was really depressed to think someone like me won't get into Wharton or Mendoza. My dream schools easily being my reach schools. Not to mention the fact that I'm white, male, and middle to low income.
So what I keep telling myself: Even if I don't get into a school like Wharton, I will endure and find a way to become successful. I can either be a Nick Carraway (accepted to a top business school) or a Jay Gatsby (not get accepted into Wharton but still find a way to make it to the top)
