In the upcoming school year I'm going to be a senior in high school. Like many people my age, my grades are not great, my SAT score could be better, and I'm relying -- really -- on one thing to give that major appearance: I'm worth it.

I'm relying on my extracurricular activities: major volunteering since I was twelve, assisting the different clubs, chapters, and benefit concerts at my school, and really pushing for what I believe in.

I'm hoping to all those caffeine filled energy drinks and coffees that I, not only graduate, (this does not seem like a threat at the moment) but I go off to attend my first choice school (that is not impossible to get, but not a ride in the park either)

At first I only wrote this to blab and vent, but if you're a junior, senior, transfer, alumni that remembers it all: please feel free to jot down thoughts that you have/had. I’m sure there’s at least one youth noise member, besides me, who want to release the tension.

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and enjoy senior year of high school...you don't know how awesome it is until you are done.

Right on.

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Definitely don't go over 10.

In my high school, 10 was pretty much the minimum when applying to schools RD. Crazy, I know.

But in the end, go with your heart. It knows best.

oh...and enjoy senior year of high school...you don't know how awesome it is until you are done.

Btw, the SATs are offered in Oct, Nov, Jan, March, May, June...but remember, you can always take the ACT...and possibly SAT2

You could do well in the first quarter or sign up and try the sats again (would you really want to do the latter?) or you could apply to regional campuses like junior colleges and then after a year there go to a university. that works for some.

1. Visit and research schools you'd like to go to. Find their average student scores and whatnot. See what life is like on campus. You need to be happy there.

2. Talk to an admissions counselor at the school(s) you're serious about attending. See what the probablilities are about your acceptance vs. rejection. Explain any special circumstances (without whining!).

3. As benje already stated, it's important that you apply to several schools. A first choice and a backup is a great idea, but if you're still pretty unsure, go with your gut and apply to a few more, preferably ones that you would be a shoe-in at. And as someone else already said, too, don't go overboard in applying to more than 5-6, if you really don't like more than 2-3. Schools can sometimes check whereelse you've applied, and too many applications makes you look, well, not so good. Definitely don't go over 10.

As an admissions worker, I see many kids come in not knowing what to expect. Some of them will leave in the same condition, but it's most important you not be one of them. You need to know your schools very concretely before deciding what's right for you. This is a large reason retention rates are so high: they don't quite know what they're getting into.

Good luck!

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I am a huge fan of small to medium sized liberal arts schools.

100% Agreed

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huge fan of small to medium sized liberal arts schools

Those are nice. I don't like my school as much as everyone else who goes there (though that's for a lot of reasons that have to do with life experiences in the first few months of my freshman year), but I do enjoy the liberal arts aspect of it. With liberal arts, they make you take courses you normally wouldn't take, subsequently allowing you more room to experiment with majors as you take a bit of everything to fulfill gen ed requirements.

Many liberal arts colleges are private, but most times, they will help you figure out a way to be able to afford attending.

And a lot of colleges--including MIT-- are going for the well-rounded, atypical students instead of the 4.0 (non-weighed scale), Math Club President, President of NHS, etc students. So you have the volunteering and clubs going for you there.

Benje's advice is dead-on. I work in the Admission office at my college (Agnes Scott College in Georgia) and trust me, the people who come visit and who build up a relationship with the office definitely have a leg up in the admission process because they're usually more comitted to actually coming to the college, rather than just applying here so they have a back-up choice. The idea of applying to a variety of schools is also really good, although I don't think you have to go crazy and apply to like 12 of them like some people do.

But mostly, I would say don't worry about it that much. I know when I was applying to colleges I was really nervous because I'm from such a non-traditional background I was afraid they'd be like "Wth we don't want her." But I got in to all of the colleges I applied to so my fears were totally unfounded. One thing I will say about choosing a college is that I am a huge fan of small to medium sized liberal arts schools. My college is all women, just under 1, 000 students, and I absolutely love it. I understand that not everyone is the same but just don't throw places like that out because you think there "won't be anything going on" or something like that.

Hey. I am finishing up senior year (graduation tomorrow) and look back on the college app experience often.

While I was fortunate enough to be accepted to my first choice, it took awhile to come to that decision.

My suggestions: If you haven't started to visit campuses, start as soon as possible. Visits to campuses show colleges that you are interested in them and really want to get to know what their school is about. Also--if possible--try to arrange an interview. Some schools required it--my 1st choice did. It is a great opportunity to show the people reading your application who you are and what you are. In the application and/or interview, that is your place to shine. Don't be afraid to brag.

Also...Apply to schools you think you will get into (safeties--though nothing is really safe), schools your grades are on pace for (targets), and schools that you may not get into b/c you fall below the scores (reaches). You never know what is going to happen. So if you find a school you really like, keep those senior year grades up, apply to the school...if you get in awesome, if you get waitlisted--you could get off it by working hard and writing letters, or if you don't get in, there are still other schools.

You can still take another SAT in October if you need to. Make sure your senior classes are good ones, not "soft" classes.

But remember, its senior year. It goes by way too fast. Enjoy it. Any other questions, feel free to ask!