Looking ahead/need advice

<p>So, my brother just got into Berkely and I visited there and I fell in love with the school. It’s now my dream to go there, or atleast if I don’t, some other selective college. I am a sophomore, and would just like some advice for the rest of my sophomore year and my junior year.</p>

<p>I have had an upward grade trend since freshman year, and I went from a 3.64(didn’t take any honors/AP classes) freshman year to a 4.0(W) last semester. I’m planning on taking more honors/AP classes next year and working hard to improve my grades even more. And I’m in AVID. Do you think that counts for anything?</p>

<p>I haven’t had many extracurriculars besides a few clubs(no leadership positions yet) and youth group, of which I am part of the leadership team. I do occasional community service from time to time, but nothing extraordinary. I used to be involved in sports and choir, but I quit because I got pretty depressed and I had too low self-esteem to continue them. I really want to join a junior roller derby team in the area but the team is full at the moment, so I don’t know if that’s going to happen or not.</p>

<p>I know that I should go for leadership positions and find things that I’m passionate about and make contributions to them, but I don’t know if it’s too late. Most people have been doing things they love for years and years, and I feel like its just too late for me. I feel like anything I do admissions will think is just to look good on colleges or that everyone but me will be amazing because they’ve been doing it for years and I just don’t have a chance. Maybe it’s just my depression talking. </p>

<p>Any advice/enouragement?</p>

<p>It’s not too late to get started in activities, and it definitely isn’t too late to improve in anything. Find clubs and activities that interest you, and make sure to pursue them.</p>

<p>That upward grade trend will be a big improvement, and should help. Here is my consolidated advice: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/admissions-hindsight-lessons-learned/1099647-billymc-s-advice-future-applicants.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/admissions-hindsight-lessons-learned/1099647-billymc-s-advice-future-applicants.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Play a sport, flesh out ECs, enjoy high school, but take the most rigorous course schedule you can.</p>

<p>Don’t forget to volunteer. Choose a few agencies you love to help and stay committed to them.</p>