<p>You see, I don’t have a very strong transcript. I’m smart, but I’m lazy(like almost everyone else on here).
I’m a junior and my average is currently around 88. PSAT scores havent come out yet, but it should be somewhere around 2100-2200. I don’t even know how to calculate my unweighted and weighted GPA…
I guess I’m special(?) because I have ADHD, anxiety, a psychotic mother who’s been married three times, and a tendency to over-share? Don’t worry, I’m not treating CC as a venting tool, I’m genuinely asking for advice/insight. I moved to America when I was 9-10ish and overcame the language barrier by the time 6th grade came around because I memorized books, recorded myself reciting them, and practiced my “American accent” daily. I think the only reason why I tried so hard was because kids were cruel to me.</p>
<p>EC:
three years of xc/track (going to be 4 years next year)
~300 hours of community service (nursing homes, church summer programs, random stuff)
Asian Club art director
3(going to be 4) years in Lion Dance
2 years of a dumb youth orchestra, performed in lincoln center twice
treasurer of african american culture club
ran a mini online business selling clothes for a summer (continuing next summer)
attended the Johns Hopkins center for talented youth program one summer</p>
<p>sorry for the inconsistent capitalization… I was lazy.
Anyways, could I include my sob story in my essay to increase my chances, or is that just sharing sensitive information for no reason? If I do share it, would it really make a difference? What kind of school do you think I could make it into with these stats? I’d love to go to NYU, BC, or a liberal arts college like Emory or Vanderbilt. I really dont know enough about colleges at this point to have a true goal school. I honestly have no clue if the schools above are totally out of reach or not. Sorry for my ignorance. Please help.</p>
<p>more questions:
-I’m only taking two AP classes this year. should i take the AP test for a subject even if i didnt take the course IF i’m confident that i’ll do well on it? is that worth my time?
-I don’t think i’ll be close enough to any of my teacher by the time the college application frenzy time approaches next year… how do i get close to them? i have no clue… also, how do i get close to my guidance counselor? I sound like a terrible person but I really dont know how to break the student-teacher boundary lol.
-Would you advise lying about positions in irrelevant clubs in my school like community action club? there’s around 5 people in that club
-should i find events/competitions outside of school that are dumb, but have impressive sounding names? If so, how do i go about doing so?
-TIPS ON HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS IN GENERAL?</p>
<p>sorry guys. it’s 2:30 am and i’m reading posts by smarter, more social, more capable, and just more well-rounded people in general and I can’t help panicking.</p>
<p>-It’ll be much easier for you to make a list of schools at the end of your junior year when you know your final GPA and have taken the SATs or ACTs. Don’t stress about making an actual list of schools right now (or even applying) and focus on doing well in your classes and possibly preparing for the SATs or ACTs.
-DO NOT LIE ON YOUR APPLICATION.
-I’m sure one of your English teachers would write an application for you. English teachers end up writing a lot of letters of recommendation.
-I’m a firm believer that colleges don’t want to be depressed by your essay. They get hundreds of essays about people grandparents or pets dying and how that’s changed a person and I honestly believe they’d prefer to read about something pleasant or even funny. I think you writing about learning english and working hard at that would be a perfect essay. It’s inspiring and shows how when you put your mind to something, you achieve it. </p>
<p>Everything lulamae said is right on. Don’t lie on your application by any means, and colleges probably don’t want to be depressed. That’s a great essay idea ^ and I would definitely do that. Definitely apply to NYU! It’s possibly a match id say and same with BC. Good luck with everything! </p>