Hi! So I am about to start my junior year. I’ve been thinking about college a lot, since before even high school started, but I know I only have about one more year to strengthen my application. There are many mid-level schools like SLU and Loyola Chicago that I am considering, but also more selective schools like UCLA, Northwestern, WashingtonU, etc. I’ve read and heard that often times it is better to have fewer extracurriculars that show genuine interest rather than joining a ton of sports and clubs. Currently, I have done many volunteer hours for peer math tutoring at my school & volunteered at many elementary schools to help out with events. I’m also a peer leader at my school for freshmen, and help organize and run our freshman orientation / welcome event, as well as be a peer leader and give advice throughout the school year for them. I also have a summer job as a lifeguard, which has kept me busy in my summers. This school year I plan to also join NHS, and Spanish Club (I love spanish and am doing 4 years of it) as well as try to volunteer at the hospital when I can.
My GPA is currently 4.1 weighted and 3.7 unweighted. My first ACT score was a 28, which I know needs to come way up, but I plan on doing more prep (I had done zero prep and practice prior to my first ACT attempt). I’m enrolled in these classes for junior year, if relevant.
AP English Language
AP Chemistry
Honors Precalculus
Honors Physics
Spanish 3 HONORS
AP US Gov (S1) / AP Psych (S2)
I took AP US History my sophomore year already, and earned an A both semesters with a 4 on the AP exam (that’s why I am taking Gov & Psych rather than US History).
Taking all this in, how does my application shape up thus far? And most importantly, what advice does anyone have as to how I can strengthen it my junior year!
I’m taking AP Chemistry because I genuinely enjoy it and I want to go into science! 
Thank you though, and I will keep your advice in mind!
Were you involved in any clubs freshmen and sophomore year? An AO might look at you joining clubs junior year as “you are just trying to impress adcoms”
Sophomore year I did my volunteering & math tutoring as well as got my job. A lot of this other stuff was just made available to me junior year.
No science-related ECs? I looked at your history (tutoring, working with kids and in schools) and thought you might have the makings of a career in education! Science teacher, perhaps?
I love science! I enjoy working with kids and helping people, but my passion lies in science. I really want to help people in the medical field ideally, if I could I believe in myself
I guess from my perspective the late involvement is odd (just for your school in general, as most students take on leadership positions junior or senior year, but if the clubs aren’t even offered until junior year…) anyway but that should be addressed by your counselor in the school profile what clubs are made available to students and when.
Just my opinion: I think that you are doing very well. Your being a tutor is impressive both because it is genuinely helpful to many other students, an also because you have stuck with it and showed a commitment to it. Tutoring also shows that you have a solid grasp of the concepts.
True leaders don’t get that way by bossing others around. True leaders get that way by helping others, and by making the people around them do well.
I would suggest that you work hard to keep your grades as high as possible for this year, continue with what you are doing, and apply to a range of universities a year from now. I don’t think that you need to change anything.
I also agree with your plan to do more preparation before retaking the ACT.
The weak part of your application right now is your ACT score. Focus on that and don’t worry about the rest. Just do what you love.