Chance me PLEASE

<p>I admire the way you always take the hardest courses possible. Also not many of us could break 700 reading and writing in a second language. You are doing so well! </p>

<p>Don’t spend anytime worrying about freshman grades besides perhaps two sentences of explanation on the family life being disrupted that year. Be strong in the admissions process just as you have put forth your best effort in high school. I also like the way your activities are simple and not exaggerated and superfluous. </p>

<p>Focus on what you have control over. You should be taking SATIIs right away…my sons walked into them sometimes without preregistering when they felt up to it…but don’t go in underprepared as this is a chance to shine. (it costs more and you have to be early if you didn’t preregister…it is a pain.) You have score choice…you have a chance to take them October, Nov and December. In my experience, many good students are disappointed with their SATIIs when they didn’t do the prep book…it isn’t as hard as an AP or IB exam. Read the book and do the practice exams…they only take an hour.</p>

<p>You also have ability to influence your references. How? By trying to put together a very sensible realistic college list with Likelies and with a couple Reaches. Vanderbilt has to be considered not a sure thing. Make sure you can afford to attend at least one Likely and give it your respect. Teachers writing references want to support their students and they in my view are happy when that student shows insight and understanding about each college, including a healthy attitude about the odds of acceptance. </p>

<p>You have ability to influence the impact of your essays. Make the time for rewrites…get feedback, make a list of all your chosen schools’ essay questions and let the committee understand your heart and your personality. You are an interestng person. Good luck putting together your final list…read your college papers and get to know each place.</p>