What do I need to get done?

GammaGrozza
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:32:13 +0000

My main concern with you lies in the fact that you seem to be grooming yourself for college apps. Lines like “what looks better on your transcript,” “what do I cut?” “I want to know what I should focus on the next few years,” and “Any suggestions for what should I do next summer?” are simply troubling. You should do stuff you’re passionate in. If you want to take the extra AP because you are very interested in the class, take it. If you want to do an internship next year because you think it would be a valuable and enjoyable experience, do it. But if you want to take the AP class because it “looks better” or the internship to make your app more competitive, maybe reconsider.

High school is a time to explore, to learn, and to have a good time (Now, I wouldn’t condone just completely slacking off, but try to strike a balance). High school should not be a time to groom yourself for something four years away (you can do that in college). And anyways, the very top colleges have a knack for recognizing students that do stuff for reasons other than because they are passionate about it, waitlisting/rejecting these students, and accepting students with marginally worse grades and test scores and a few less ECs, but who are passionate about what they pursue. With so many qualified applicants, these schools can do that.

So, what are your passions? Surely you have some. Math seems to definitely be one. So focus in math if you enjoy it. Tutor during the summer if you like that and want some dough. You enjoy chess, so stay in it if you have the time. What ECs do you cut? Those you aren’t passionate about. What classes do you take? Those you are passionate about. Do what you love doing, and college apps will take care of themselves.