Current high school sophomore

Applying to College
1

<p>Alright, I’ve looked around and it seems that this is the best forum to ask my question.</p>

<p>I’m currently a sophomore in public high school (California Distinguished School), taking honors classes such as Chemistry, World History, Language Arts, and Pre-Calculus alongside non-honors in Spanish 2 and doing a sport as well. I currently have all guaranteed A’s for my first semester report card save for Honors Chem and Honors Language Arts (Although I’m still fighting to raise Chem to an A, it’s so close). My GPA will be definately around 4.33-4.5.</p>

<p>My financial situation isn’t all that great. Basically, our income is a bus driver’s salary and child support. I am half-Hispanic, half-Indian (As in, India), currently 15 years old.</p>

<p>I really do want to apply to the best schools of the nation when I start getting there. Unfortunately, the school counselors are quite useless in this regard, considering they are working with me plus 4,199 other students. Hence, I’m not getting what I think is real focus.</p>

<p>Next year as a junior, I want to challenge myself further: AP U.S. History, AP Chem, AP Physics, Lanuage Arts Honors, and perhaps AP Calculus (as opposed to regular), and a sport.</p>

<p>Now, I’m not able to do much extracurricular activities. My autistic brother makes it difficult to schedule a day. What I do enjoy doing (since the 8th grade) is National History Day. If any of you know what this competition is, I made it to the state finals in 2004 (8th grade), county finals in 2005 (9th), and this year I’m hoping for state finals again and perhaps the nationals.</p>

<p>Now, am I headed in the right direction? Am I making a smart choice in taking both AP Chem and AP Physics? I have regular contact with students in both classes, and I believe I can be up to the task. Of course, either I take the Spanish 3 equivelent class in either my local community college and do A.P. Spanish 4 in my senior year, or I just do Spanish 3 in my senior year.</p>

<p>Ah, I’m all over the place as to what I need to do. Any suggestions at all, or telling me if I’m on the right track to the top American colleges (Ivy League, perhaps?)</p>

2

<p>Or how about you just take like two AP classes next year. Have fun in highschool its the last time you’ll ever have to be a kid</p>

3

<p>Eh, I’m able to keep an active social life coupled with my academics. I know it’s my last chance to be a kid, but I am looking forward to my future more.</p>

4

<p>Ah, and yes I did take the PSAT and received my score today.</p>

<p>Critical Reading: 67 (Top 3 percentile)
Math: 47 (I can explain, I freaked out at the thought of losing points for wrong answers and left 12 blank)
Writing Skills: 49 (Which amazed me, it does not compliment anything else I’ve done)</p>

<p>Anyway, my Selection Index was 160, and in the 67th percentile amongst college bound juniors (Though I don’t understand if it means I’m in the top 67% or bottom 67%)</p>

5

<p>If you haven’t had any Physics course yet, it might be tough jumpimg right into AP Physics. Your courses look very challenging and impressive. Even though you may not have ECs, when the time comes you can show your extenuating circumstances. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>67% means you scored better than 67% of all those who took the exam…</p>

<p>Be careful with all those AP Courses…since you haven’t taken Physics yet, AP Physics may be a big jump for you (your 47 score on the math may indicate you will have a difficult time in AP Physics, let alone AP Chem…)</p>

<p>Challenge yourself, but don’t go overboard…try not to get too obsessed with “the best schools in the nation”…Do your best and you’ll get into a great school…</p>

7

<p>Take AP Biology, that’s easy. Chemistry and Physics are very hard, and Physics is almost impossible if you don’t take the high school level first, or you aren’t a physics nerd.</p>

8

<p>Colodia, I PM’d you.</p>