Just submitted my application to be a National Merit Scholar (current semifinalist). I am near the end of this process but still in it. This video is such great info in such a short amount of time!
When you were talking about the structure of the personal essay that was really interesting. I had my dad review my essay as he’s really good in english and he recommended to make my essay more fluid and readable by breaking it into paragraphs - which I did following his critique. Beforehand it was just like a free write essay. Should I not have it as paragraphs or is it ok to have it like that?
Ensuring it is as easy to understand and readable as possible! I highly recommend breaking it into more paragraphs rather than one block of text! Admission officers go through hundreds of applications a day-- the easier for them to follow along and read, the better :))
Max out your gpa, get it to 4.8 and. take challenging classes like IB and AP and honors. Take everything man, no matter how hard it is just push and be driven.
Start looking at the courses your high school offers and create an academic plan for HS. You could also dive into a passion project-- it's a fun way to explore your interests, build new skills, and stand out! You can also apply to scholarships available for middle schoolers. But remember, you're already wayyy ahead by thinking about this early, don't forget to enjoy middle school!
As a high school senior, start planning for college apps now. If you have a good idea of what you’re interested in, dive into it as hard as you can. This is a great time to try and fail. Enter competitions, start long term projects, heck, start a business. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you’re not sure what you want to pursue yet, just try things. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone, to be bad at things, and also don’t be afraid to quit things if they don’t bring you joy. You won’t click with everything you try, but pursue the things you do like with vigor. Once you start HS, the clock is ticking, so it’s best you put yourself out there now so that you won’t be afraid to make commitments later. Also, before you select HS courses, try to meet with the high school’s counselor and ask what the most rigorous possible courseload is. If you know any upperclassmen you can ask them too. Be prepared to work hard (while still taking care of your mental/physical health), and don’t take any opportunities for granted. I had a hard time but I know a lot of people who really took advantage of both their middle school and high school years and found them very fulfilling. I wish you the best of luck ❤
