<p>I’m going to be a freshman when high school starts in a few weeks. I would really like to get into a good college. I am interested in computers, programming, networking and circuitry. I dont have too much of an idea of what schools i would like to go to right now. But i was thinking like California Tech and MIT would be the best for studying the things im interested in. Do you have any ideas what to do during high school? I haven’t been in any sports and for extra curricular activity i have been in the Amateur radio club for 3 years (6,7,8th grade). It is a club that helps you get your Ham radio liscense and do things like soldering electronic kits. What kind of things would i need to do throughout high school to have good chances at getting admitted to a school like Cal Tech or MIT? What are other good schools that teach the things i am interested in? Your help is appreciated, and if you have some questions ill try to answer them for you :).</p>
<p>get crazy gpas, intern at some computer place or something.</p>
<p>oh. & do really well on your science & math sat’s.</p>
<p>crazy IN-COMING freshmen -_-;</p>
<p>i mean it’s good that you’re worrying early.
i’m just comparing me to you. the sanity levels, i mean.</p>
<p>nevermind.</p>
<p>You’re not alone.</p>
<p>This kid is clinically insane. :eek:</p>
<p>Thanks for the replys! So i shouldnt worry about sports or other extra ciriccular activities and focus on GPA and SATs?</p>
<p>Any interest in electronics, technology, or mathematics will help you get into both of those schools. The ham radio thing is perfect. However, look for other clubs that you enjoy! Never stoop so low to start doing ECs that you don’t enjoy, just because they sound good…that will only put you in a rough spot.</p>
<p>You don’t need to necessarily focus on tech stuff, though. If you have any other interests (art, music, writing…) pursue that too. These colleges like well rounded people.</p>
<p>And don’t get stuck on a one-set track that you are “aiming for MIT and Cal Tech”. There are plenty of great colleges, and plenty of excellent tech departments outside of those two schools…even, <em>gasp</em> in the Tier Two list of US News and World report.</p>
<p>However, for whatever schools you want to apply for, a good GPA and a good SAT scores will help. Try to get A’s in all your classes…and here’s a hint at how you do this little trick: take the required classes, but only classes that you’re actually interested in, not what will “look good” on a transcript.</p>
<p>So yeah. Pursue your interests, take initiative for yourself, and have a fun time in high school…preferably, not thinking about colleges too much until the second semester of your junior year.</p>
<p>Thanks confused_student! That helps alot.</p>
<p>here’s a simple suggestion. just work hard and play hard–do what you enjoy and take advantage of the opportunities available to you</p>
<p>You have no idea what you want yet. It’s way too early. Be a kid.</p>
<p>yeah especially freshman year…freshman year is utterly useless…</p>
<p>just get straight As while its still easy to do that. don’t worry about standardized tests AT ALL yet…the ham radio thing is awesome, keep doing it</p>
<p>if i were you i would keep going with amateur radio club</p>
<p>maybe start a robotics team at your school or join it if there already is one</p>
<p>keep working on your computer skills so you can get an internship at a computer company later on in high school</p>
<p>do well in math and science classes and start thinking about RSI when you become a sophomore</p>
<p>try to integrate your interests with some kind of community service thing–volunteer in your community to help the computer illiterate, make websites for non-profits, anything that uses your skills for the greater good</p>
<p>Its great that you’re worrying about what you need to do already. I’m a rising Junior and haven’t put much effort in Extra Curriculars at all - I don’t do much of anything outside of school, sports, and summer jobs. Of course, I have awards galour from academic achievements, which supposedly will make up for some of my lack of involvement.</p>
<p>If you are interested in technology, depending on the size of your school, it might be a good idea to talk to your Tech Director or AP Computer Science teacher (if your school offer APCS). My school is very small and I’ve known the Tech Director for quiet a while, so I’ve spent the last couple of years helping her during my free time after school. Your Tech Director could probably use a hand moving things around, setting up new computers, getting printers up and running, ect., so I’d definately suggest offering to help.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I’m repeating a few things, but…</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Do things because you enjoy them, not because they’re going to help you get into College X.</p></li>
<li><p>You probably shouldn’t be dead set on Caltech or MIT so early. Of the schools in my mind at the beginning of freshman year, I only applied to one of them.</p></li>
<li><p>If you ask me, freshman year is way too early to be thinking about college much.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks, I dont have my heart set on any college yet, just thinking of good technology schools. :)</p>
<p>Win Intel.</p>
<p>Start your own club at school, do something that incorporates the big three:
- Peers
- Old People
- Little People (kids)</p>
<p>I might start a computer club 
But i dont know if the school would like us doing anything fun on the computer :P</p>
<p>Which years in HS count for college? I once heard it was 11th and 12th grade, but then I heard it was 10th and 11th.</p>
<p>M4gici4n, every school considers you’re years differently. UMich takes only 10/11 but most of the Ivies look at 9/10/11 and as much of 12 as they can.</p>