<p>So, a few things to take into account. Let’s start from the beginning. OK, I am a sophomore who attends a top school in IL. (strictly for basic profile) I am a female Caucasian, I am not rich. I am from the bottom 5th (economic ranking, check wiki), but with a twist. But there is more to the story. I was born to an 18 yr. old mum and 24 yr. old dad, none of them very rich. We moved to the US when I was 1 yr. old. We moved to Rhode Island, where my dad went to a number of schools before Harvard, and then in 2004 we moved to Chicago (my dad had gotten into the U of C). Only a year later, my parents divorced. Then my mom had some health problems, and had to go back home. Then my dad got cancer (he’s OK now). Then, when he recovered, I got a stepmom. (I’m an only kid.) Now for my part of the story: I joined CPS at a low time: on the ISATs (IL exams) in 4th grade I scored in the 30’s percentiles. It was bad. (that was during the divorce too). But I retreated into books and with help from others my scores from the ISATs burgeoned in 5th grade, where I scored in the upper 90’s. I suppose I did so badly before is because I had a learning disability. But by 7th grade that was gone. I also have a rare eye defect called coloboma that weakened my retina and almost completely blinded my eye (1/10000 people get it). This is my story-oh, forgot to mention: live below poverty line too, but things are OK.</p>
<p>I. Standardized Tests
I got a 24/25 on the EXPLORE test, improving from 21 in 8th grade. Took PLAN and PSAT. Hope to get 33+ on ACT
II. Languages
Hope to be fluent in English, Latin (still need to brush up on)
III. GPA and Ranking
My school does not rank. Our report cards do not say our unweighted GPA’s either, but my weighted is around 4.4-4.5. taking almost all honors classes since freshman yr.
IV. AP’s Hope to take six. In AP world history now, want to do five more.
V. Community service: have 200 ish hours now. want to have 700 or more by senior yr.
VI. Extracurricular
in NJHS since 8th grade, will join NHS next year
will be in key club for 4 years, hopefully pres.
hopefully pres. of student council, was div. rep. freshman yr.
debate team prob. will go to nationals senior yr. and be captain (?)
will have been in Latin Olympics for 8 yrs. (over 50 awards, mostly test things)
Volunteer after school, help teacher grade papers 3 times per week (and other stuff)
Was in eco team and eco club freshman yr.
math team 7-9 (part of 9th) grade.
OH! Was published in national book called Inspired in 2009 (poetry).
VII. will have taken latin for 8 yrs.
VIII. hope to be NMSQT scholar junior yr.
IX. Wish to be an attorney.</p>