Ivy Leagues/Top Schools: Do I have what it takes?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Hi! My name is Spencer (Yes, like the Spencer in Pretty Little Liars) and I am a 14-year-old freshman in high school. I love school and learning. I dream of graduating from a Top 20 School such as Yale, Harvard, University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins, Penn, Stanford, Brown, or Duke. I want to go through premed, then on to medical school so I can become an anesthesiologist. I am trying to start on my credentials early, and I really want to know if I have what it takes. </p>

<p>I am in two out of three offered honors classes at the moment (math and science) and I am going to try to make all five of the classes that are offered next year (math, science, history, Spanish, English). I am definitely going to take many APs during my Junior and Senior year, and I may take an AP next year as well. I love science, and I wasn’t allowed to this year, but I will be taking Honors/AP science electives during my Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. I want to be in National Honor Society when I reach that age. I am in the Duke TIP program.</p>

<p>I am in my school’s Medical Club and Red Cross Club, and I plan on sticking with them throughout high school and even holding a leadership position in one when I am older. I am also on my school’s Recommended Reading Selection Committee. When I become a Junior/Senior, I want to join Honor Council, and I will be applying for School Ambassadors as soon as I am allowed to. I am hosting a foreign exchange student this year, as I would like to every year until graduation. </p>

<p>As for community service, I am a volunteer at the local science museum, and I have around 130 hours that are currently counting towards my high school community service record. The number grows every week. I was recently one of seven nominees selected from a pool of 1,000 volunteers for the museum’s “Inspiring and Outstanding Volunteer” award. Once I turn 16, I plan on taking up a volunteer shift at the local hospital as well, since I have a strong passion for medicine. </p>

<p>I am a Girl Scout Senior. I been a Girl Scout since the Brownie stage (I began at the very youngest I could because they did not have Daisies when I first started the program.) and I have received both my Bronze Award and Silver Award. I am going to begin working on my Gold Award in the Fall of 2014. </p>

<p>During the summers, I attend a leadership camp for young people all around the globe. I have been going for several summers, and I have earned two of the camp’s highest citizenship awards. </p>

<p>I currently have a 4.0 GPA, and I plan on maintaining it. I study for the SAT/PSAT (because I want to become a National Merit Scholar when I take it Junior year) about an hour a day with my practice books. I took the PSAT practice test recently. My scores were a 72 for Critical Reading, an 80 for Writing, and a 68 for Math. Are these good? What scores would they be if they were translated to SAT scores? Anyway, I am going to work on bringing them up. I want to have a 2300+ on the SAT. </p>

<p>I love to act and sing. I take acting classes at a local studio and I am currently a Level III student, which is an Intermediate level. I sing in my Church’s choir, and they also have leadership. I want to be president when I am a junior or senior. </p>

<p>For my Sport, I am trying out for either cheerleading or drill team, and I will be on the team Sophomore-Senior year. I am still making my decision. </p>

<p>So, what do you think? I know there is no “guaranteed formula” for getting accepted to a top school, and I know that thousands of valedictorians with 4.0 GPAs and 2200+ SAT scores get rejected every year. You do not have to tell me that again. Please just let me know what I’m doing right and what I’m doing wrong. And do I have even the smallest chance of making it? Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>Hi Spencer. You have some great qualifications! You scores are great, especially for a freshman … PSATx10=SAT. </p>

<p>For now, please don’t fret about college chances. Just excel in high school and continue to activities that you love. No need to study for PSAT now… it will come up naturally due to your hs studies. Take it for practice sophomore year. Then study more after that if needed. The junior year PSAT is the one that counts.</p>

3

<p>Hey Spens,</p>

<p>You’re doing almost everything right. Wow, I’m probably not even half the student you are now! Anyways, you’re kicking butt with volunteering, sports, grades, and clubs. </p>

<p>For now, because you are still a freshman, i wouldn’t worry about the SATs/ACTs just yet. Focus on grades in school.
You’re PSAT scores are fantastic. During sophmore year (maybe later in the year, since you will start taking sats junior year), see what you got wrong, and just brush up on those parts. I’m sure you will kick butt on the real SATs too.
You’re chances are really looking up!
Good Luck!</p>

4

<p>Take a deep breath and do your best.</p>

<p>Your PSAT is incredible for a freshman and it will only go up. Focus on keeping your grades neat and polished and don’t be afraid to take advantage of all that you’ve been offered.</p>

<p>If you can maintain this sense of passion then I have no doubt that you’ll break into the top 20 schools.</p>

5

<p>Your PSAT is equivalent to a 2200 on the SAT, which is pretty fantastic for a high school senior. As a freshman, it’s almost unheard of. If you can keep up your GPA and score 2300+, you should have no trouble with top 20, and a decent shot at HYPSMC.</p>

6

<p>You absolutely have what it takes. Please make sure to enjoy your high school experience, keep making friends (they will be with you for life) and don’t forget to smell the roses!</p>

7

<p>You asking what it takes? You are a prime example! You will rule the world but no guarantees! Work hard, you are on the right path. I believe that soon you will be rocking us to our core!! :P</p>

8

<p>Spencer…don’t worry about college yet. Focus on maintaining academics and enjoy high school. You have a great motivation tool of Ivy dreams and using that will guide you to success. Remind yourself once in a while on your goals. Even if you don’t make it, there are other great schools across the country that offer a Ivy caliber education, including the large state schools like Cal, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina, and Penn State. I got a 3.0 in high school and I got accepted to a IR program that beats out half the Ivies and ranked #10 in the country. But don’t use my grades as motivation lol. Just focus on your work, maybe put a Harvard poster on the wall as motivation, and look at your goals from time to time. </p>

<p>good luck man. you are on the right path. regardless if you make it or not, you are destined for success.</p>