<p>:) Hi everyone! This is my first post here, and I’d just like to get a heads up on what I should be aiming for in these coming years (I’m a Sophomore now). And, well, the question isn’t just limited to UCLA, I guess, but that’s my dream college right now.</p>
<p>FRESHMAN YEAR:
Semester 1 GPA: 3.56 out of 4.3
Semester 2 GPA: 3.67 out of 4.3</p>
<p>SOPHOMORE YEAR (insofar):
Semester 1 GPA: 3.38 out of 4.3 (but we haven’t taken our exams yet, and this is just my guesstimate)
PSAT: 1843, 90th percentile (didn’t study, but I’m planning to do so as hard as possible during the summer so I can attempt to qualify for National Merit)</p>
<p>ECs:
- HFH member
- Roots and Shoots Chair (in charge of Animal Branch), lots of hours from various things in support of it, but generally centered around Animals (Jane Goodall watched a music video I made in support of the shelter, if that counts for anything)
- 3rd in Public Forum Debate at the Asia Pacific Activities Conference for Forensics (I intend to compete in the coming China Cup - and I suppose attending APAC is considered varsity)
- Attended Kids’ Literature Quiz in 8th grade at Oxford (received 4th place in world finals)
- AMIS Honor Choir in Singapore (auditioned choir)
- Regular helper at local animal shelter (part of Roots and Shoots, I suppose)
- Member of school newspaper for 2 years, very likely to become Editor
- Part of school Creative Arts Magazine
- Part of the high school musical every year
- Bottle recycling committee (whoo!)
- Performed at local Young Musician’s Concert (auditioned, and was paid for the effort)
- School awards for writing, musicianship and citizenship (2 are awarded for each grade level, so I think that’s fairly outstanding)</p>
<p>I know I’m going to have to force that GPA up - I intend to, starting with my exams coming up next week. But I’m just a sophomore - would you say I’m making a good start insofar? </p>
<p>What other ECs would you reccommend me doing? People tell me MUN looks good, but I think it sounds tedious and boring. I hear colleges like it when you have a lot of hours devoted to one thing to show your dedication rather than a whole bunch of hours for random things, and I know I’m extremely dedicated to all of my ECs, I just don’t know if it’s enough…</p>
<p>Any replies would be much appreciated! :)</p>
<p>P.S. I’m an international student in China, so it’s a lot tougher for me to get ECs that are focused around national competitions. On the other hand, I do have U.S. citizenship, so I hope that doesn’t pull me down…</p>