im really young but preparing for my future!?

Question

ok.. im 13 and my absolute dream is Yale University. i go crazy when i think i might not get could SAT scores when im older. or other high test scores. i would die if im not validictorian(spell*)... i love that college with all my heart! how do i prepare for 9th grade until im 18 to get into that damn college? dont say studying please! what extracuriculars? SAT scores? any scores?

Answer 1

Actually, I don't think you ARE "really young" to start preparing for your future. Hitting the ground, running (so to speak), right at the start of high school is a wonderful way to go. Good for you!

The advice from tromboneman is excellent. But I'd like to add a note of caution. The wisest way for anyone to prepare for the future is with MULTIPLE plans: a Plan A, a Plan B, etc. Life is uncertain, and therefore it is neither wise nor healthy to put all of your eggs in one basket. And saying you'd die if you're not valedictorian is not healthy at ALL, as typically, only one person gets to be that. In the big scheme of things, scores and grades only matter in one tiny fraction of your entire life.

Instead of focusing on a place and a status symbol, focus on YOU: what makes you special and what you love doing. That way you would already know what extracurriculars you should be taking. Your ultimate goal is actually what you want to DO in life and there are many excellent paths that will get you there. Yale may well be one of them, but it also might NOT be the "right" path for you.

I happen to live in a university town - with a university that happens to be the top in the state and is one of the top in the U.S. All of the smart kids, here, grow up dreaming of when they'll get to attend this university, including my son. They also all grow up to believe that the State school is the worst place on earth. (Without ever seeing it, mind you.) Well, despite having all the "right" grades, AP scores, and SAT scores, my son was waitlisted at this university. But as he waited for that news, he finally visited State and was very surprised by how much he liked it. He went there, graduated, and to this day, he is extremely THANKFUL that #1U didn't accept him. While a nationally notorius rejectee of #1U is currently fighting to get the admissions policies of this university changed, my son is positively THRILLED that his life contained such a major detour, as he would not have it any other way. He loved his time in the college marching band, felt his academic program was top-notch, and now he's making big bucks - the exact same as what the grads from #1U's program make at this company.

I'll stop babbling now. But please think about re-ordering your priorities. Not chucking them altogether, but just focus on what's really important. OK?

Answer 2

Here's your answer....

#1 - Make good grades! Your GPA is extremely important.

#2 - Take "honor" or "advanced" classes if avilable, but not if its in a subject that you don't do well in.

#3 - As far as extracirricular activities, BETA club is always good, student council, etc. Anything academic is good. I did marching band all through high school myself. Anything that shows you're well-rounded.

Hope this helps.