I am entering my junior year in high school and I am not sure what my chances are to get into colleges that I would like to attend, (UCLA, UC Berkeley, Notre Dame, NYU, University of Miami) or what I should do to improve my chances. I have not taken the SAT or ACT yet, but I am studying. I have taken all honors/AP classes for the past 2 years and I only have received one B, all the rest A’s. I am ranked number 5 in my class, and I am on the JV Basketball team, while also being in Chamber Singers for 2 years. I volunteer 16 hours a month at the boys and girls club. What do I need to do to boost my chances of acceptance into those colleges. I am sorry, I really just don’t know how to be the most competitive applicant I can be.
Do everything that you enjoy, that alone will lead you to great places.
Keep studying for the SAT, score 2100+, keep your grades up, create good relationships with a couple teachers who will write good recommendations, possibly find leadership positions in your activities, and start thinking about essay topics.
You should be fine.