High school freshman worried about college?

Question

Both my parents did not go to college. I plan on studying in engineering, but of course that's nothing final. My colleges of choice are UC Berkeley, LA, and I can dream for MIT. Currently, I have a 4.0 GPA and I next year (Sophomore) I am taking English II Honors, World History, AP Chem, Algebra II Honors, and Mandarin (III) Honors. I am in Cross Country and Track/Field, and I plan to continue with these all four years. I am in my school's robotics club, but honestly the club has been quite dead and I am not so interested in it, so I don't know whether I should continue in it. I am also part of the drill team at our school, and have 'commanded' as a color sargeant and other roles. Does that count as a 'leadership' role colleges look for? What I'm worried about are things such as summer programs that colleges look for. Going to COSMOS like one of my friends did in his junior year doesn't seem like something I would do.

Also, I see on the MIT application that they ask what you do simply for pleasure. For me, that is drumming. I am also very interested in web design and art. I am wondering if things like this have any effect on college applications.

Also, does it matter how many times the SAT is taken? If I take it next year and screw up, but got better scores afterwards, would that look worse than if I just got good scores taking it later?

Also, I forgot to mention I just started volunteering 3, 4 weeks ago and I have racked up 30 hours so far. The college apps want hours per week and weeks per year, but what if I don't volunteer consistent hours, as in the summer I'll volunteer more often than during the school year. Just wondering what do to when Im going to be filling the thing out, though that is a ways from here. Thanks for any help / sugguestions

One more thing! I am debating whether to join FIRST robotics (aside of robotics club) at my school or not. This would look good on the college app, but my lazy self does not want to stay at school til 9pm every day. I am half interested, and since it overlaps with Track season it will hinder my training

Answer 1

Hi, I'm currently an MIT student and will be helping with admissions committee in the fall... so I guess you're pretty much in luck.

For classes, we know that there are some schools out there that offer a ridiculous number of AP classes and others that don't. What you need to show is that no matter what, you always took the hardest classes that you could and that you can handle a challenge. Looking from your courseload you took the same classes I did when I was a freshman.

Activity-wise... do what you're passionate about. There are so many people at MIT and none of our lives revolve around school work. It would be a killer if it did! When we ask for something you enjoy doing... we don't want to hear that you enjoy doing your homework. Although, you might have to enjoy doing it a little for you to want to come to MIT... If you really enjoy playing the drums... then write that down... my roommate plays the drums and she's quite good! For that essay I wrote about being a DJ at a local radio station... it had nothing to do with engineering, but it was something I was passionate about and you could tell from my essay.

Leadership is pretty important too, so presidents of clubs, organizations... all of those are definitely a plus.

I did a summer program, but you definitely don't need one to get in. Several of my friends did RSI which actually takes place at either Caltech or MIT... I did one and it was literally the best time of my life! I came back home starting my sentences with... "While I was at MIT I...." Yes, nerdy I know... but that was how I knew MIT was right for me.

Do something with your summer though. Do some research or find an internship or volunteer! Summer is a GREAT time to try new things out and figure out if you like them or not! It seems like you're really ahead of the game... Keep up the stellar academics, do well on the SATs, and try and find a couple of activities that you're really passionate about and then try and acheive a leadership position in those.

Robotics for me was a lot of fun and FIRST was a pretty awesome experience. If you're not that into it... then it's a really time consuming activity and there are probably better ways to spend your time. Like I said, there are plenty of things out there for you to try and experience... it's better to spend your time doing those instead of spending a whole bunch of time doing something you don't really like.

Also relax! High school is supposed to be the easy part! Good luck!

Answer 2

To begin with, congratulations on a great start! Ys, being a color sergeant would count as leadership. If you aren't so interested in robotics, you might think of starting a club in something you are interested in. As to the summer programs, they can provide something interesting to present as part of your application package, but they aren't the only thing you can do. Especially if you need to work during the summer, you can make a good case for not doing them. What you need to do instead, though, is to make sure that you have evidence that learning is not just something you do in required classes; you might get involved in some after-school program, or work with a teacher on a research project, or something of that sort.

Answer 3

Well, gosh, let's get a head start on worrying, shall we? LOL. I am truly just joking, What I mean to say is that you are already one "got it together" kid, and you will get into college, trust me. I just hate to see you start obsessing about it now, and missing out on the present. You mustn't forget that TODAY counts for today, not just for what it can contribute to your college acceptance.
THAT being said, I will try to answer what I can.
First, you are absolutely on track with your courses and your grades. You are well-rounded, participating in sports and drill team. Schools recognize leadership in drill team as REAL leadership, knowing well how many hours of practice go into that activity.
Second, you have begun doing service activities, which you should keep records on. But don't sweat the small stuff. You can report your hours as an average and let it go at that. There is NO ONE at these schools who would have the time or inclination to go over your schedule day-by-day to confirm a four year history of service activities. Be truthful, keep records, let it go.
They do look at all the things I have just mentioned, which go into the "whole" person. And SAT's--take them as many times as you wish--you can control which scores are reported and the colleges cannot know how many times you took it, nor would they care. Same with ACT.

Just so you know, I am a high school teacher. I have been through this process with so many wonderful kids, and they all met their goals. It just hurts me to see them get stressed out over it. So listen up:
You sound like one outstanding young person, and that is great. Be true to who you are, do the things you enjoy, like drumming. Study, be a friend, have friends, and enjoy life NOW. You will get into college.

Answer 4

You should worry about college in the fact that you should improve your GPA. Try to take honors and AP courses. and do some extracurricular actitives. Just do what normal HS students would do. Do not be lazy.. But preparing for interviews is a little too much at this time. Most college preparation, I would say, will start around junior year. enjoy your youth!

Answer 5

You sound really smart. What's your IQ? Maybe you should take the Mensa Test and become a member?

Mensa is for the top 2% of intelligence .

You are off to a great start and I could only wish that my kids are as ahead of the game as you are when they get to your age....

I wouldn't even mind making contacts with people at MIT; recruiting people and so forth...ask who you could email and ask questions about recruitment; let them know it is your dream and basically send the above letter to them, ask them what they look for, what are the requirements, any addtl. qualifications to help you get in that they will look for, let them know your age and everything, and you are willing to do what needs to be done to get in starting now--they will be impressed. Most freshmen do not even care about their future.

As far as the SATs go, you just have to submit your highest score and they don't ever have to know about the other scores, so just take the test all you want for practice!