<p>So basically to wrap it all up, I was indolent just my sophmore year of high school, thus earned mediocre grades I deserved. (A couple of C’s, some B’s and A’s.) I took absolutely all honor classes for my sophmore year if that helps anything. Rising into my junior year, I can feel the staggering immense pressure building on top of my shoulders now. Simply, I want to change for the better. The school I want to get accepted to is Cornell, yes, I evidently know it is more than a reach at this moment, but dreaming is all I got. Please help me fill in my voids of wonder, and help me slightly be that much closer to my vision. As of now, I know that clubs,grades, SAT, SAT II, awards, service hours are the primary factors of acceptance to college. Am I missing any minor secondary factors beside the essay? Could also someone pm the link to the common app? Also when are you supposed to ask your teachers for recommendations? Does it actually matter which teachers precisely, and do you merely give them a sheet of paper or what not? Is that all I should know? Tips, suggestions?</p>
<p>As I aspire for my vision to be real, I proportionally hope that your vision becomes reality as well.</p>
<p>The factors that you list are cliches that will only get you so far. Yes, they should all be stellar for you to have a chance. Without some genuine interest or passion you can demonstrate - not fabricate - it won’t make a difference. There is no point in thinking “oh, wow, a passion! I need to get one of those in order to be seen as authentic and attractive by adcoms!” Figure out what you love to do and would do if no one was watching or would ever know. That’s your chance to gain admission to Cornell.</p>
<p>I’d be more impressed by your change of attitude if before posting, you’d have used Google to get most of the easily-available info that you’re requesting from us.</p>
<p>Agree w/NSM, you are asking for very basic info that is available by googeling (CA website), the sticky threads at the top of this forum (teacher recs) and other forums on CC (College Essay). Seems like you have plenty of time to spend on the HS Life and CC Cafe forums, just apply that to your college search and you should do fine.</p>
<p>Sigh, sorry I wasted your valuable time… </p>
<p>I’m merely incredibly emotionally disturbed at this moment, sigh.</p>
<p>Insomniac_01, you could either take this feedback defensively or you could take it to heart. No one is going to help you get into Cornell. You have to do it yourself. A good way to start is to show initiative. You started by acknowledging your indolence. Now what? What do you want to do with your life? Getting into Cornell isn’t a goal. It’s a means of achieving your goal.</p>
<p>Not to start a flame war, but I think insomniac_01 is overwhelmed; there’s a lot to know. I agree with the previous poster who said to find something you’re passionate about and also the pt. about Cornell as an incomplete goal. You’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Also, make an appointment with your Guidance Counselor. It’s his/her job to help you with all this.</p>
<p>OP and froghorn,</p>
<p>I can understand overwhelmed, and I sympathize, it is a daunting process. However, as a rising jr, this is the perfect time to take ownership of the process and move yourself towards your goals. </p>
<p>Along with other resources, CC is a great place to do this, but first you’ve got to do your homework. A good way to start is to read a book about college admissions, I recommend “Admission Matters”, you may even be able to find it at your local library. Next, take a look at the sticky threads at the top of the various forums. They may be lengthly, but often the first few pages give you much of the information you need. Also, there are many questions that are asked frequently every year, for these, take a look at the most recent few pages of threads to see if your question has been asked, or use the Search function to search key words or phrases.</p>
<p>I hope this quenches any flames I might have started, good luck! EM</p>