Is it too late for me to start preparing for getting into elite schools in my junior year?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I am an asian immigrant and I moved to the states about five years ago. Following is my profile:
Academic (We’re not allowed to take AP classes until Junior Year in my school)
Freshman Year: 1 Honor Class, All A’s with 1 B.
Sophomore Year: 3 Honors Classes, A’s with 2 Bs
Junior Year: 4 AP Classes, 1 Honor Class

EC: no records in both Freshman/Sophomore Year (a little volunteering work)
3rd Year of learning Piano.
This year I am a representative of my school in a district student committee, also I am volunteering more and a member of National Art Honor Society.
Standardized Tests: Have not officially taken any test yet, got a 1120 on the PSAT. Planning to take the new SAT in Spring, hopefully I will get a score higher than 1450.
I like writing, art, music, reading and photography. I know my profile does not look as competent as other students who might want to get into an elite school, but any advices? It is too late to build a strong profile now?
My dream school would either be Wellesley or Columbia, both are very very hard to get in.
Again, any advice would be appreciated!

2

So you’ve got 3 B’s on your transcript so far, and your PSAT score (which is usually a predictor of the SAT) is significantly lower than your target. What makes you think you’ll get 1450?

Both Wellesley and Columbia are terrific schools, and for now I’d suggest that they are reaches for you. But your story is what you make of it, and you do still have time to improve your grades and test scores.

Since you only moved to the states 5 years ago, did you have a language barrier to overcome?

One thing that might help you is if you can get employment - even at fast food, if necessary. Both Columbia and Wellesley have explained that they value diversity in admissions, and that employment is as valid use of your time as every other EC.

3

It’s not too late, but you’d have to take a radical course correction.

  1. Your grades need to be all A/A- from here on out so that it looks like you're "trending upwards" in Admissions speak.
  2. Do as much test prep as you possibly can. It's a big jump to get from 1120 PSAT to 1450. Ideally, you'd want to crack 1500, so you'd have a really strong score to strengthen your GPA.
  3. You need a strong extra curricular activity. Something interesting and unusual. Buy the book How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out) by Cal Newport and follow its advice.
  4. Write a great essay.

Good luck!