HS Freshman looking for advice

decillion
Sat, 05 Oct 2013 15:27:45 +0000

General advice:

-Study for sophomore PSATs
-Look into selective summer programs that interest you
-Plan out your high school course load trajectories
-Consider self-studying APs
-Plan out which SAT IIs you think you would take (e.g. You have an awesome Chem teacher, so you think you’ll be prepared well for the SAT II)
-As you explore ECs and narrow them down, think of which ones will give you most room to grow in and excel. Don’t just focus on the position you can get - focus on the accolades you can accomplish.
-Don’t do everything for the Common App. Spend some time exploring outside interests to make your life more interesting and meaningful.
-If you can get the 97 without forgoing meaningful commitment to an EC you love and are great at, go for it. If not, the 94 or 95 is fine. Colleges care less about marginal differences in GPA than they do about actual character and demonstrated accomplishments.