As a sophomore, what should I be improving on?

Colleges & Universities Harvard University
1

<p>I am a sophomore in high school with hopes of attending Harvard.</p>

<p>I hope that I can be given advice on what to do to improve on during my next two years in high school in order to be accepted.</p>

<p>–ACT score as a sophomore (no studying, no prep):
Math: 30
Reading: 31
English: 30
Science: 30</p>

<p>I realize a 30 is a fairly low score, but I am going to be studying and preparing a lot this<br>
summer with tutoring as well, and hope to bring it up to a 34-35.</p>

<p>–PSAT as a sophomore: 204 (hopefully raising it to a 215ish to become a National Merit<br>
Finalist/Scholar during junior year)</p>

<p>–Classes: All honors, Pre-Calc as a sophomore, 4.3 weighted GPA, 4.0 unweighted.</p>

<p>–Extra-curriculars:
Member of band, as well as member of the city’s Youth Symphony, district and state<br>
bands, ‘I’ ratings at solo/ensemble festivals, members of the two Honor Bands of America
previously, etc.
Member of dance team, Junior Varsity Officer for one year, Varsity member
School newspaper staff member, Centerspread Editor
School literary and art magazine staff member
Key Club member
Science Club member, secretary
Debate team member
SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) member
Member of my city’s Youth Ballet company
Member of Girl Scouts (Silver Award, hopefully earn Gold Award, equivalent to Eagle<br>
Scout Award)</p>

<p>–Leadership
As stated above: Junior Varsity Officer of dance team, Centerspread Editor of<br>
newspaper, Science Club Secretary
Girl Scout Leadership Award</p>

<p>–Service Work
Received Presidential Service Award both years (100+ service hours)
Girl Scout Silver Award
Volunteer at elderly homes, church, helping inner-city kids
Key Club member</p>

<p>–Work Experience
Private instrument lesson teacher
Help teach classes at my dance studio
Work at a local theater organization (teaching)</p>

<p>–Future:
ACT score of 34-35 hopefully
Maintaining what I am involved in currently
Become editor-in-chief of school newspaper
Be in NHS and Language Honor Society
Leadership position in NHS hopefully
Leadership position in band hopefully
Create a club
Girl Scout Gold Award
Another job probably</p>

<p>–Other:
Ethnicity- white</p>

<p>So based on all of this, do I have any chance of being accepted into Harvard in two years?</p>

<p>What do I need to improve on?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I’m still a sophomore too, so there’s no way I’ll chance you, but I’ll definitely bump this for you.</p>

<p>my life looks real similar to yours though. question- what kind of debate are you in?</p>

3

<p>Thank you! I am involved in Team Policy Debate I believe. What about you?</p>

4

<p>I’m only a freshman, so I can’t chance you either. But you to have similar stats as me, only waay more distinguished. Does your school offer MUN?</p>

5

<p>I’m also a sophomore and want to go to Harvard too-my stuff is really similar stuff to yours too (I even do policy too:). I would just say from all I’ve read on CC that maybe you should focus on one thing like science research or whatever you’re interested in-maybe you do I just couldn’t tell.</p>

6

<p>You should be following your passions and not trying to figure out what you should do . You will go to a fine school-stop obsessing about one school!</p>

7

<p>Mikey, our school does not offer MUN. However, I did just look it up, and that seems very interesting!</p>

<p>Cottoncndy, yes, I probably should focus on just one area. Thank you!</p>

<p>Fauxmaven, thank you. However, I feel like I am following my passions, but in your opinion, do you think it will look bad to be involved in so many things if I am passionate about them all?</p>

8

<p>Do what will make you happiest with high school in retrospect if you end up rejected at everything but your safety. If you’ll say “god, if those things didn’t get me into Harvard, I don’t know why I bothered,” don’t do them. If you’ll say “well, I’m still glad I did my best at x activity because it made me feel accomplished, even without Y college’s validation,” carry right on. That’s the best test I can think of for how to judge how to spend your time in high school while looking for a good college acceptance.</p>