Junior looking to improve my chances... what can I do to make myself a more competitive applicant?

qqres

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Dec 10, 2016
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I'm a junior in a California high school.
I have a 4.4 weighted GPA and 3.8 unweighted with 6 AP classes so far (2 science, 2 math, 1 English, 1 history) and although I have not taken the SAT yet I got a ~1450 on the PSAT so that's my predicted score.
The thing I'm most worried about is sports and extracurriculars, not school. I haven't done any sports since my freshman year when I did cross country, because I had an injury last year that prevented me from trying out for the team. I plan on doing track this spring, cross country next fall, and track again in the following spring. I do sports outside of school, but not ones that I participate in a team in and not ones I have much documentation for. I regularly windsurf and sail (I got my American Sailing Association certification in keelboat sailing last summer). As for extracurriculars, I really only have two notable things: I've been a member of a service committee since freshman year where I've gotten 60 or so hours of volunteering done, and I finished my private pilot's license recently. This summer I'm planning on taking some classes that interest me at a local community college (statistics, economics, computer science), and I'm going to get a job to pay off the cost of my pilot's license since I borrowed money from my parents to do that.

With that in mind, here are my questions:
Should I take a 4th year of language? How important is it? I'm in Mandarin 3 and I absolutely hate it. I'd rather take a different course of similar difficulty like an additional science class (astronomy perhaps).
Where can I build my competitiveness as an applicant for the extracurricular side of things? I feel like it's hard to start on school clubs this late in the year, and whatever club I join next school year won't really be all that relevant... so perhaps something during the summer? I honestly don't know what kinds of options there are, and my hobbies (windsurfing/sailing/astrophotography/flying) aren't really any that coincide with interesting groups to join. I also feel restricted because my course load is pretty demanding and I'm going to feel pretty stretched thin just trying to fit in track next semester. Any recommendations?
 
Use the search tab for PIMA's post, "that time of year again...chancing!"
 
I'm also a junior so idk how valuable my opinion is but look for clubs in your school try to become a leader in that club look to do boys state in your state. If you like service do more service stuff like USO or other non profit organizations. I understand that your stretched thin I feel the same way too some times but your stats are a little high then mine academically so that will help but I was told I would be a strong candidate so you can peep around there but know one knows here just kill it in school get that nomination and hope that you get an appointment. Hope we both get in and I can meet you there
 
Attend Boys/Girls State. It happens between the summer between Junior and Senior year. But the nomination process starts now. It is run by the American Legion https://www.legion.org/boysnation Check with you guidance office or your local American Legion. It will provide a huge boost to your leadership score.
 
I also feel restricted because my course load is pretty demanding and I'm going to feel pretty stretched thin just trying to fit in track next semester. Any recommendations?

Why, yes, as a matter of fact! You will be competing with students who have equivalent grades, but who have managed to compete at a high level in school or outside-of-school sports, hold down part time jobs, lead clubs, participate in CAP, milk the cows every morning, and volunteer ten hours a week for four years. So, while it is commendable that you are working hard, your course load is probably no more demanding than your applicant peers'.

So, find a sport you LOVE (and if it is surfing, find a competition, teach it, start a club... you get the idea), find a club you LOVE, find a job you can tolerate. And most important, learn the fencersmother's most valuable skill: TIME MANAGEMENT. Get a paper calendar/datebook (or make one, but you have to write in it for it to be effective), and mark out your days, hour by hour. You'll be surprised how much time you really do have.

Congrats on your PPL - many of your fellow applicants will have completed theirs as well so no more back-patting. Just get busy.
 
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