I need application advice...kinda?

Applying to College
1

I’m so lost. I’m literally questioning everything I am doing. I just need advice on what to do. I want to start looking into doing things science related like interning at labs and doing science competitions, but I feel like it’s too late and that I have already packaged myself as a humanities and politics person. I’m also worried about my transcript because I got 3 B+'s first semester Freshman year, and then an 89 in pre-ap Geometry both semesters this year. I’m just worried like those B’s literally blew it and that I have no chance at the Ivy League. So I included my stats as of now for advice on what direction I should package myself for applications and as perspective when weighing the effect of the B’s i previously mentioned. I’m sorry about how long this post is lol

I’m a sophomore btw

4.26 weighted GPA
top 4% of my graduating class (70/1652)
ACT- 30, trying to raise it
SAT subject tests- plan on taking: world history, biology, math 2, and Spanish listening
Race- Hispanic female (Mexican)
only APs/honors courses, besides required on level courses, such as health

ECs:
Junior Class Vice President- just elected, will officially start next year
President of Varsity Debate Team: revitalized policy debate program at my school
Founder of Latin American Students Club: we run drives and fundraisers to help children in Latin American countries receive an education, host events at school sharing hispanic culture
Founder of Global Issues Awareness Club: Talk about current events and debate over possible solutions to current world issues, run fundraisers for places such as Syria, research conspiracy theories
Biology Club
History Club
French Honor Society
National Honor Society

Volunteer Work:
Perot Museum- Volunteer, help visitors, Teach visitors about exhibits
County Teen Court- Attorney Defend and prosecute real cases with teen defendants
City Teen Court- Same deal as with the county one
Internship at the Dallas Arboretum- help plan events
Internship at Jewish Family Service
Domestic Violence Shelter- Caregiver

AP’s
AP World History-100 all year, waiting for score
AP Human Geo- 90/95, 4
AP Art History- 97, waiting for score
next year I’m doing the IB Diploma

additional Info: household income of $30,000/year, divorced single mom, Lived in home with domestic violence, Dad relinquished his parental rights-thus no child support ever

2

A few comments:

–Don’t worry about “packaging yourself” – do what you want, what fuels your interests and passions and pursue it with vigor. You are in HS and it is perfectly fine to change your interests and you learn and grow.

–When the time comes assess your academics honestly and apply to a range of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (check net price calculator and look for schools where you may qualify for merit aid) and that you would be happy to attend. Ivy schools accept less that 10% of applicants in general so they are reaches for everyone.

–Expand your horizons and recognize that there are tons of colleges that can give you a great 4 year experience and get you where you want to go in life.

3

You need to stop worrying. Your resume as a sophomore is more impressive than most seniors have when graduating. Please don’t stress about packaging yourself. If you wish to pursue science ECs because you are genuinely interested in it, do it. Otherwise, you’re stressing yourself over nothing.

You have junior year and half of senior year to pursue science based ECs if that’s what you want. That is more than enough time. Again, I must stres that your resume is far better than many seniors hope to have.

That being said, Ivys are never easy to get into. You have a great shot at them especially with your current work ethic. But please dont be disappointed if they dont work out senior year because they are extraordinarily selective.

Good luck!

4

You need to look at QuestBridge. Also, schools that meet full financial need should be on your list.

5

These above three replies are such great suggestions that I just wanted to give them a “bump.”

6

^^ Great advice.

7

I agree re: don’t worry about packaging yourself.

Even kids with perfect stats and amazing HS resumes get rejected from top schools. There are far too many applicants for far too few slots.

Study, study, study for the PSAT test because doing well on the PSAT can translate into big money for school.

Study, study, study for the ACT for the same reasons.

Come back here junior year and we will help you find some great affordable options. You will need a mix of schools to apply to.

One of my kids went to community college for her AA and worked, then transferred to our state flagship. She just graduated and is moving to a different part of the country for her first post-college job! She had a fabulous UG experience and the connections she made on campus got her this job.

Our other kid worked so damn hard in high school and was determined to go to a prestigious school, no matter how much we tried to talk to her about finding affordable options. She looked down upon her older sister for going to community college first. In the end, this kid took a full ride scholarship to an OOS public flagship — an automatic scholarship based on a single test score.

She was a bit bitter about it (understatement) — why did I work so hard, taking all these APs, studying constantly, not going out as much as some people, building my HS resume, if I’m just going to this crappy (in her opinion) public flagship?

She could’ve used some more balance in her HS life, and realized there are MANY great schools where you can have a great experience. Work hard, but don’t burn yourself out with stress. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Your path may be different than what you’re imagining now at your young age. There are many, many paths to a happy successful life. Stay open so you don’t miss an opportunity pass right under your nose.

Finding something affordable is going to be extra important at your family’s income. We can help! Think about getting a summer and weekend job and start squirreling away some money for college --transportation, books, etc. really adds up.

8

Look into Questbridge 's program for juniors.
Get a Fiske Guide and start reading, tango beyond rankings and find schools that ‘sound like you’.

Run the npc - your EFC is zero, so you need to look for universities that meet need, preferably without loans.
For instance, compare Davidson, Wellesley, Carleton, Vassar, Pomona, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Grinnell, Haverford, Smith, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Stanford, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, UChicago. All of these are reaches, so you can’t count on any of them; furthermore, they may not return the same net price. Once you’re sure they’re affordable, look them up in Fiske: you’ll see they’re quite different in environment, vibe…

You’re doing great. Don’t stress (or at least, don’t worry about this).

9

You’re in very good shape even if you want to switch directions, first off you can always join a stem-related club jjr year and see how you like them. And you have this summer and next summer to do something science related. Colleges in general don’t expect applicants to know their career path when they’re 18, I would apply to a school that is strong in both stem and non-stem, if you want to consider say computer science or linguistics say major in one and minor in the other). Typically these will be in the Arts and Sciences schools or departments - publics like Michigan or Berkeley, private like Northwestern, Vanderbilt and obviously a lot in between. Don’t worry about packaging, enjoy high school more, as long as you’re taking challenging classes, a few B’s are not going to matter. Take the ACT again as scores improve the second time, but don’t worry about it too much, you’re already a strong candidate.