Norma Said:

Ivy League? Any more information of things I should do, please email me at horsecrazy1@optonline.net?

We Answered:

You have a very strong resume, and very high aspirations. One of your biggest strengths is your well-roundedness. Unfortunately, schools of as high a caliber as Harvard and Stanford receive applications from students who are just as well-rounded and talented as you are. This is why you need to demonstrate not only above-average achievement in all areas, but a passion and gift for a specific area as well.

I applied to Duke, Johns Hopkins, Washington University in St. Louis, and Northwestern, and I was accepted into all of them. (I'll be attending Northwestern next year.) While none of these schools are "Ivy-League," they are ranked at the same level as (or higher than) Brown, Columbia, and Cornell, all of which are Ivy-League.

I would strongly recommend doing an interview whenever available. This is the single best way for the admissions committee to understand you as a person. It's possible to fake yourself in an essay, but it's much harder to do so when an interviewer is looking you in the eye. Colleges want to recruit people who have a passion for learning, and pursue education for its mental benefits, not just the promise of a high salary in the future.

In addition to the mandatory recommendations from your counselor and teachers, find another individual who knows you well and can attest to your efforts. You have pretty good volunteering background, so consider asking a person from the hospital, dog kennel, etc. to write a strong recommendation for you. Make sure that they have stories to tell.

Going along with that, make sure that your essay reveals something about you. Using generic phrases such as "I always strive to do my best" or "A career in medicine will fulfill all my dreams and aspirations" is shallow and empty. Everyone wants to go to Harvard; that's why they're applying. What makes you so special? Tell them. Focus in on your hospital community service, which is nicely tied to your career of choice.

It is nice that your classes are being taught at an Honors level. If possible, take as many AP tests as possible for subjects that you have mastered. I took 4 AP classes my junior year, and 6 my senior year. In addition, I took college-level courses at a community college nearby to bulk up my resume.

Aim for a SAT score above 2300 and a ACT score above 35. You can send either one of those scores in to your schools, but I would recommend sending both. It sends a stronger message.

Contact the school frequently; this shows your interest. Research the school and your specific realm of study when writing your essay. Don't quote directly from the Harvard Med website. Rather, write about how your personal experiences and abilities resonate well with an education there.

Lastly, schools, including Ivy-Leagues, are not allowed by law to have specific quotas to fill for each race. However, they are allowed to use race/ethnicity as a factor when accepting students.

Good luck! I'm glad to hear that you're doing all of this as a junior. I would also recommend looking to Duke and Johns Hopkins. They have fantastic medical schools (I know because I researched and applied to them) and can easily prepare you for graduate study at Stanford.

PS: Oh, and enjoy your senior year! Really. It's okay to stress for a bit during application season, but afterwards, just let go and hang out with your friends.