<p>I’m a freshman at a public high school who was offered admission in Phillips Exeter Academy, which I will enter next year as a sophomore.</p>
<p>I noticed that although I am “excellent” at most everything, I’m not really “exceptional” at anything. I got a 2370 on my SSAT, but I can’t get into AIME. No matter what I do, I feel like I can only achieve the status of “very good”, but not “exceptional”. As a result, I do not know how I am going to get into a top college…</p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>depends on what field you want to focus on. dont try to be exceptional in everything. being exceptional in one field is what makes you exceptional. it just sounds like you wanna find out the “secret recipe” to getting into top colleges. there is none. just find your passion and focus on it.</p>
<p>though if you want a straight answer, scientific research, mathematical research/projects help a lot. so does being exceptional in sports. good luck finding your niche.</p>
<p>you are a freshman so there is still A LOT of opportunities you can do to boast your chances. if you have $, I would recommend you to travel abroad in the summer (preferably this year) and do some “volunteering” like teach the local kids english. it doesn’t have to be something major. or even better, instead of enjoying a month of vacation, work in that country and donate it to a school to help with needy children.</p>
<p>To be “very good” at two or three things is still impressive. I feel a bit like you in the sense that I’m often good enough at things to be in the “big leagues” with the very top competitors, but I’m not exceptional myself. Still, colleges have (so far) been happy with my accomplishments, which include being state/nationally competitive in debate and creative writing. I didn’t win debate nationals, but I’m on the national circuit and am known in my state; I didn’t win a Scholastics Art and Writing Awards national portfolio, but I won national awards for individual pieces; my SATs are in the 750+ for each section and for Subject Tests but aren’t 800’s; etc. It’s very easy to get discouraged when you see people winning the awards just above the ones you won, but remember too that your own accomplishments are impressive. Being “very good” is very good.</p>
<p>If you graduate from Exeter excellent at many things, you will get into an excellent college.</p>
<p>Stop worrying and enjoy your high school experience!</p>
<p>“Ivy/MIT/Stanford pipeline*: 29%”</p>
<p>Willing to be that being excellent will be enough.</p>