Mariam
Struggling to Balance School and Life – How Can I Strengthen My College Application?
Hi everyone, I’m a junior in high school. I recently moved from the UK and started mid-way through my sophomore year, so I had to take freshman and sophomore classes instead of APs. Currently, I’m only able to take 2 AP classes and 1 dual credit (OnRamps) this year as a junior because my counselor advised against taking more. I am also currently taking sophomore classes too.
I have a strong interest in engineering, political science, and international law. I'm aiming to double major/double degree in engineering and either political science or international law or law or business for undergrad. In the future, I plan to pursue a master's degree in data science, an LLB or JD, and an MBA. I also plan to join the Air- force or Navy.
Most colleges that offer double/dual degrees/majors are top 25 schools. I want to get into a top 25 school, but I'm worried about my academic profile.
I currently have a weighted GPA of 2.95, but I'm not sure about my unweighted GPA. At my school, we use a 15.0 scale, and my GPA recently dropped from 11.35 to 11.05. I'm in the top 13-14% of my class, and I mostly get A's, so I'm confused about whv mv GPA is this low. I've been struggling with depression (yes I did get diagnosed) and unfortunately, my parents don't believe in mental health, which makes it harder for me to cope and improve.
My depression is only getting worse, but I'm willing to ignore it to improve my academics. On top of that, I'm dealing with parentification at home, which is adding more stress. I'm struggling to focus on studying and retaining information, and I'm feeling lost on how to handle everything.
Most of my school's extracurriculars are focused on volunteering. I'm currently part of Student Council (StuCo), Key Club, and the African Students Association (ASA). However, the majority of school competitions and meaningful extracurricular activities are only available for health and business students.
I'm about to start applying to colleges, but I have absolutely no idea what to write about for my essays. I'm considering writing about my traumatic childhood, a specific traumatic experience in my life, or my migration and how it affected me. I'm not sure which direction would be most impactful or how to approach these topics.
1. How can I raise my GPA and strengthen my academic profile, especially given my current mental health struggles?
2. What can I do to enhance my extracurriculars, especially with the limited options available at my school?
3. Are there any specific extracurricular activities, competitions, or opportunities outside of school that I can explore to boost my college application?
4. How can I improve my studying habits and memory retention given everything I'm dealing with?
5. What advice do you have for choosing a strong college essay topic? How can I make my experiences stand out in a meaningful way?
+++ I have an insane amount of volunteering hours. What do I do with this information?
2 answers
Aman Kumar
Aman’s Answer
1. **Raising GPA & Academic Profile**: Focus on doing your best in the classes you're currently taking, especially the AP and OnRamps ones. Colleges will appreciate that you took on rigor despite your challenges. Consider taking an online course (maybe through edX or Coursera) in a field you're interested in, like engineering or political science, to show commitment and curiosity.
2. **Enhancing Extracurriculars**: Since you’re interested in engineering, politics, and international law, look for ways to connect these interests to your current clubs. For example, in the Student Council or Key Club, propose initiatives related to these fields, like organizing a guest speaker event or a workshop on international issues. Additionally, search for virtual internships, online research programs, or local non-profits that might need help with STEM or political science projects.
3. **Extracurricular Activities Outside School**: Consider entering competitions like science fairs, essay contests, or Model United Nations (MUN) if available. Some online competitions might align with your fields of interest (like political science essay contests). Volunteering at local organizations or joining community advocacy groups can also add depth to your extracurricular profile.
4. **Improving Study Habits and Memory**: Set small, manageable study goals to help reduce overwhelm. Break up study sessions into chunks with short breaks. Techniques like the Pomodoro method (25 minutes of focused study followed by a 5-minute break) may help with concentration. Also, try visual learning tools like mind maps for subjects you struggle to retain, and look into tutoring if your school offers it.
5. **Choosing a College Essay Topic**: A powerful essay can discuss how you’ve navigated personal challenges, particularly your migration experience, the impact of family responsibilities, or your persistence despite depression. Choose a story that highlights growth, resilience, and your goals for the future. Colleges value honesty and insight, so focusing on how you’ve adapted and remained focused on your goals can be impactful.
As for your volunteering hours, emphasize them on your application! They show commitment, leadership, and a sense of responsibility—all qualities colleges value. Good luck—you’ve already demonstrated so much resilience!
Chinyere Okafor
Chinyere’s Answer
You've already shown incredible resilience in handling so much—moving countries, managing responsibilities at home, and dealing with mental health challenges. Colleges will recognize and value your ability to persevere. Let's break down your questions:
1. Raising Your GPA and Strengthening Your Academic Profile
- Focus on Improving Performance in Current Classes: Since AP and dual-credit classes are weighted, concentrate on boosting grades in these subjects first, as they can help your GPA quickly.
- Seek Help for Mental Health if Possible: It’s understandable that your parents may not believe in mental health treatment, but finding a trusted adult, school counselor, or online support group may help. Your well-being is the foundation of academic performance, and colleges value a balanced approach.
- Consider Independent Study or Online Courses: If your school limits APs, look into accredited online AP courses or MOOCs (like those on Coursera, EdX, or Khan Academy) in subjects relevant to engineering, law, or data science. Completing rigorous courses outside of school shows colleges that you're pushing yourself academically.
- Explain Any Academic Challenges in Applications: College applications usually provide a space to explain any extenuating circumstances that affected your grades. Briefly mentioning your mental health struggles or parentification, while focusing on how you’re overcoming these challenges, can help admissions committees understand the full picture.
2. Enhancing Your Extracurricular Profile
- Take Initiative in Current Clubs: For instance, if you're in StuCo, you could propose projects or events that have a meaningful impact. Leadership roles, even if informal, demonstrate initiative.
- Leverage Your Volunteer Hours: With significant volunteer hours, consider developing a larger initiative, like organizing a community event, leading a service project, or working with local organizations. This would show not only dedication but also leadership and community involvement.
- Explore Relevant Internships or Online Projects: If you're interested in engineering, law, or data science, see if there are virtual internships, research opportunities, or even community college workshops. Many organizations offer virtual opportunities, and some nonprofits need help with data-related tasks, which could also align with your academic interests.
3. Opportunities Outside of School to Boost Your Application
- Competitions and Conferences: Engineering competitions like FIRST Robotics, political science-focused conferences, or Model UN can provide valuable experiences, and many are accessible online. There are also virtual hackathons or online challenges that relate to engineering and data science.
- Online Courses and Certifications: Platforms like Coursera, Udacity, or LinkedIn Learning have courses in engineering fundamentals, data science, or political science. Completing relevant courses can bolster your academic profile and show initiative.
- Local Community Projects or Online Organizations: You could start an initiative, like a club or blog, focused on global issues or legal topics. Joining online forums or organizations that explore data science, international law, or social issues could also help you gain insights and connections.
4. Improving Study Habits and Memory Retention
- Create a Structured Study Schedule: Use a planner or digital tool to break down your studying into manageable, consistent blocks each day. This can help reduce overwhelm.
- Try Memory Techniques: Techniques like spaced repetition (revisiting information over intervals) and active recall (testing yourself) are highly effective. Apps like Anki or Quizlet can be helpful.
- Focus on Rest and Downtime: Even though it’s tempting to push through, breaks and proper sleep improve retention. Exercise and short meditative practices can also reduce stress and improve focus.
5. Crafting a Strong College Essay
- Select a Meaningful Story: Writing about your migration experience or overcoming personal challenges can resonate powerfully with admissions officers, especially if you focus on what you've learned and how you've grown.
- Reflect on Resilience and Growth: Colleges look for self-awareness and growth in essays. Consider how your life experiences shaped your goals or your interest in a double major and a future in the military or engineering.
- Showcase Future Aspirations: Link your past challenges to your aspirations. For instance, you could discuss how your interest in international law or engineering was shaped by your unique background, aiming to use your skills to create change.
Bonus: Using Your Volunteering Hours
- On your application, highlight the depth and impact of your volunteer work. Colleges value sustained service more than isolated hours, so if you’ve committed to helping in a specific area, emphasize the continuity and leadership aspects.
- You could also tie this experience into your essays, particularly if it has shaped your understanding of community, resilience, or responsibility.
Your application can become a compelling story of resilience, adaptability, and ambition if you frame it around the themes of overcoming challenges and staying committed to your academic and career goals. This approach will make you stand out to colleges, particularly those with holistic admissions processes.
Best wishes!