How can I become top tier?Answered
Hey all, I'm a junior building my college resume and who I want to be as a person. My dream since elementary school has been Stanford, and now I'm also interested in Yale and Northwestern. I'm going to major in journalism and minor in creative writing and political science, and I hope my passions reflect that. I'm wondering if I'm a strong contender, and what more I can be doing to REALLY stand out to colleges as a future leader and passionate writer. Here are some of my stats:
GPA: UW 4.0
Course Rigor: 5 in AP Lit, taking AP Lang, APUSH, and AP art history this year (all self-studied). This year, I'm taking college dual enrollment in creative writing, graphic design, and modeling & animation, and next year I hope to take critical thinking and intermediate creative writing. I'm taking a creative writing elective, as well as other unique classes.
TEST SCORES: PSAT 1270, taking the ACT and SAT this spring.
Extracurriculars: Co-editor in chief of school newspaper, which I've been a part of before (op-ed column and horoscopes). President of the library Teen Advisory Board, with 40+ hours of community service just for this year. Ballroom dance (also in summer + performances), Iowa Young Writers' Studio course, Georgetown pre-college journalism & media course, Sonoma State University Symphony, North Bay Honor Orchestra. For this summer, I'm applying to Kenyon Young Writers' Workshop, the New York Times Summer Academy, and PSJP. I'm also on the student council fundraising committee. Next year, I hope to publish my book about teen mental health, and I am also trying to join the NAMI youth mental health board this year. In the past, I've been a counselor at summer camps, I volunteer every weekend at my church (I'll make you a bomb mocha), and I was in Student Leadership at my church.
Awards/Recognition: I hope to be an AP Scholar with distinction next year! Also waiting to hear back from the Bay Area Creative Youth Awards as to whether I got recognized.
I'm also low-income and first-gen, so I hope I have some advantage there. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
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2 answers
This is an amazing start! I love how your extracurriculars align with your interests in majoring and I can't wait to see the book coming out!
But first, be sure to definitely highlight your IMPACTS since it demonstrates concrete outcomes and values like leadership and initiative. For this, use the XYZ method. Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y], by doing Z. Example: Mid: Served gourmet meals to over 5000 people in need | Better: Reduced Local Food Insecurity by 15% by personally delivering over 5,000 gourmet meals via partnership with my local church.
Plus, junior and senior years are usually the HARDEST parts of high school since colleges mostly look at these years while conduct their holistic review. So it definitely sounds like it's gonna be pure stress. As a result, make sure to have a routine or something to combat the BURNOUT(breathing, quick jog, aesthetic ASMR routines, etc).
Additionally, find your passion project and build STRONG relationships with your professors and high school teachers(keep in touch with them, greet them, etc). College essays and teacher recommendations are pivotal for decision moment so be sure to keep writing everyday and get constant feedback, but find ONE memory and activity in all this that you would love to write about and always USE YOUR OFFICE HOURS with teachers to build and strengthen your understanding in subjects.
Furthermore, be sure to take practice SATs often(make progress since prestigious universities need 1500+) and prestigious colleges are looking for INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY!!! Focus on mastery of concepts like "I understood this answer but why this way?" For example, synthetic division works I guess...but why? Like why do we draw an arrow for the first coefficient down and not multiply it with the "divisive value of x."
With that, ask your teachers for their official unit practice tests and set up study routines that work for you and focus on those little mistakes(+ review everything else every once in a while). It's about constant relearning and GO SLOW. Studying is like practicing, not everything will sound and be nice, but always find progress every time you're studying.
Plus, prestigious colleges often look for "spikes" like "one area is world-class" rather than well-rounded as it demonstrates imperative interest rather than just being a "stacker." Like the book you're writing, maybe apply for national recognition or nominate for the book(scholastic art and writing awards).
And be sure to have like a block schedule because google calendar or whatever you use is going to be your best friend. And DON'T SLEEP DEPRIVE YOURSELF AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Always set up or take breaks and self discipline. So this all may seem like repeats you already do, but that's all I got, you're amazing and good luck!
Honestly, this all sounds really good. I'd say it looks like your on track for good testing scores. Just make sure to study. I also recommend looking for a summer internship or writing program. Colleges love seeing things like that. You should also start thinking about your essay/personal statement. I redid my essay so many times to make it perfect. I had lot's of people review it over and over. So the main things to do so you can make your application better are Focusing on the test scores (which I'm sure you'll do great), Summer internship or writing program, and focusing on making a solid essay. Hope this helps.
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