<p>Hello, I’m a high school freshman and I’d love any advice you have to offer! I’m wondering what exactly a person my age should be doing to prepare for college/college admissions. I’m a straight A student and the top of my class. (I also play the flute and participate in local events, festivals, competitions and am a member of a youth orchestra- don’t know if that’s important or not!). If I’m hoping to get into a very good university, is there anything else I should be doing? I am willing to work hard, but I’m not sure if there is anything in specific that is important to focus on. Thank you!</p>
<p>If you want to receive glory from CC reviewers… get a stellar SAT score.
If you want to receive glory from admissions committees… DO something with your time, not just attempting to get perfect stats. Though, DO try and be the most impressive applicant you can statistically. Just know that this is certainly NOT the only thing adcoms look at.</p>
<p>great job so far! i love when people don’t fish for compliments. a couple suggestions: if you have time, study for the sats everyday, perhaps 30 mins 4 or 5 times a week. you might say “it’s too early,” but one really needs to start studying for those damn sats early. start out with something easy, like vocab.
[SparkNotes</a> Flashcards](<a href=“http://www.sparknotes.com/flashcards#]SparkNotes”>http://www.sparknotes.com/flashcards#)
im using the above link right now, but when the sat gets closer you probably should buy like direct hits or something.
also, NEVER QUIT FLUTE. colleges look for all rounded ppl, and the person that can play a couple instruments will have an advantage over the applicant that can’t play twinkle twinkle little star.
hmm… what else… does your school have ap classes? start looking into those, take ones that interest you next year.
thats all i can think of now, ill come back when i think of more :P</p>
<p>Think about how to make good use of your summers. </p>
<p>You don’t have to go build family clinics out of mud in developing countries, but do try to find something to do with you summers that shows both commitment to something, and development of skills or leadership. </p>
<p>My friend’s daughter, for example, used to go on month-long outdoor-adventure programs. When she was young, she participated; as she got older, she helped lead them.</p>
<p>As Sikorsky said, you do not have to build clinics out of mud overseas, but it helps to have been doing some kind of volunteer work, tutoring, etc. “Giving back” is an important part of life and colleges like to see highly capable students who also have shown some social responsibility. </p>
<p>There are probably tutoring or peer leadership oportunities at your school; your community has churches, synagogues, Scouts, and other groups that would love for you to join in their social outreaches, there is Habitat, etc etc. Open the paper and see who is doing what in your town and then join one of them and help.</p>
<p>Read “Colleges That Change Lives” and “Beyond The Ivy League,” both by the late Loren Pope. They’re wonderful resources for getting past the notion that there are only a few “good” colleges in the United States. And try to have fun in high school!</p>
<p>Enjoy yourself. Your a freshman! Its great that you are planning ahead, but make sure not to get caught up in the admissions game this early into high school. It will just cause unnecessary stress. (Id advise not spending much time on this website either, it will definitely stress you out! Come back when you are a junior or senior.)</p>
<p>First and foremost, make sure your grades stay where they are now. Take as hard of classes as you can handle while still maintaining good grades. But, that being said, dont kill yourself. Find that balance where you feel challenged but not overwhelmed. Grades and course rigor are the most important aspects in college admissions. If you dont have those as a solid foundation to your application you have very low chances at top schools. </p>
<p>Also, get involved in whatever interests you. Volunteer if you like service work (you should do some anyway, as others have mentioned). Play sports at your school if you are athletic. Find your niche, and most of all, be UNIQUE. Colleges love someone who they have never seen before, someone who brings something new to the table.</p>
<p>Make good grades, do some activities, SAT question of the day, maybe take an SAT class.</p>