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Hi,

It's my junior year and I'm getting ready to narrow down my college search. Right now, Boston University, Oberlin (in Oberlin, Ohio), and USC (University of Southern California, located in downtown Los Angeles) are my top 3 choices, in reverse order.

My cumulative GPA is like 3.6, but since I'm taking 2 classes that count for AP credit this year, my guess is that my cum. will go up to a 3.8 or 3.9, weighted. I know that puts me in the bottom GPA range for these schools, though, but I think that my extracurriculars, incredibly strong leadership, and community involvement make up for that. At least that's what the USC rep told me at a college fair yesterday. My P-SAT scores were all between 540 and 600, also a liiiiittle low, but those can easily be raised. I have yet to take the ACT or SAT II, but I plan on taking both.

Are there any ways to really make myself stand out? I mean, I know that there ARE, but do they actually work?

How do I decide where I REALLY want to go?

Also, any other college advice would be greatly appreciated. I live in Southern California (Burbank), if that makes any difference. I want to major in Political Science or Music Education, seeing as I either want to practice law or teach vocal music (Particularly showchoir. We win nationals a lot, so I figure I can take that and create a successful showchoir).

Stories are appreciated, too.



If you answer, "I don't know, ask your college counselor lolzzzz," I will rate you poorly, probably a 1 or 2, depending on how you say it. Just so you know.

First off, I'd find out if any of the schools you're interested in do rolling admissions [they admit students as the applications are received], that way you can apply early and have a much better chance at getting accepted, rather than if you wait to apply. [I applied to two schools in November of my senior year, I got accepted very quickly because both schools had rolling admissions. Then I had nothing to worry about for the rest of my senior year, which was really great.]

Your GPA isn't low at all compared to some of the students you'll find that get accepted to the schools you want to go to. Same with your SATs.

Stuff like extracurriculars and ESPECIALLY community service, if you do a lot of it, will definitely make you stand out and impress the colleges. Community service is a huge thing nowadays.

It's good that you talked to the USC representative, they can offer a lot of help, so don't be afraid to ask them a ton of questions. And yeah, this one's obvious, but go to your guidance counselor because they have a lot of information and can help you set up interviews with the admissions department at the colleges of your choice.

You sound like you're a great student and involved in a lot, so I really wouldn't worry about getting into the college of your choice. You're only a junior, have fun being in high school, because before you know it high school will be gone.

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