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Probably better geared towards the older of the bunch...
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.
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Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Colleges & Universities?
My advice is to focus on writing a good application essay. Don't just write about what you've done, accomplished, achieved, whatever. What colleges are looking for is a peek at the inner you. Are you a good person? Are you in tune with yourself? Do you have good character? What skills do you have other than getting A's? That sort of thing. Incorporate that into your accomplishments. For example, you could write about a community service activity that you were involved in that really changed your life or taught you something. Touch on community service and leadership (which they love) and open your heart up to them (which they love even more). Other than writing a good essay, whenever possible go in for an interview. If you don't see it anywhere as an option, call and ask for one! Making an effort to get to know someone and make a connection with someone there that plays a part in the admissions process puts you way above the kids that just send in their application. They can put a face with a name. You won't just be another piece of paper. An interview will also let them get to know more about you and not just your academics. Colleges want good people that will do good things for them and the community, not just people that have a 4.0. You do have good grades though, so with the interview and the good essay you would be WAY above most other students and would most likely get in. Remember too, that if you don't get into the college that you want, it's easier to get in as a transfer. If you do well at another college, you can easily transfer to the college of your choice. Doing well in college looks better than doing well in high school. They know you will succeed rather than being pretty sure that you will. I wish you the best of luck and I hope that you get accepted into all the colleges that you apply to! :)
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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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