I’m going into my senior year of high school in nyc and I’ve recently realized I want to go into an IB career and go to a target/semi-target school. Since this realization was recently I don’t really have any business extracurriculars under my belt. Does anyone know any east things I can get under my belt in my senior year that will look good for colleges? Me living in NYC might make finding something like this easier but idk.
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Starting your own business is the best business extracurricular. But don't do it just because you want to go to a well-ranked school. Also, if you aren't a legacy, minority/poor, or famous, don't be hopeful in getting into a target. The landscape of elite college admissions has changed dramatically over the past couple decades, and it simply isn't anything like it was before. I would focus on doing things that would sustainably better your future. For example, if you started a business your senior year and maintained it throughout college, that would be seriously impressive. Or learning skills that would be helpful down the road (C++, Python, accounting, etc.)0. Basically, plan for the long-term and don't base your hopes and dreams on what a handful of over-worked admissions officers who will spend 5 minutes skimming your application think about you.
So you’re telling me I couldn’t meet the requirements to get into a school like UT Austin, chapel hill, Michigan, or BYU without being one of those things? That seems a little unreasonable to me, but thanks for the business advice I’ll give that a try.
I'm not sure that the schools you mentioned are considered semi-targets for finance, though they are fantastic schools. If those schools are what you have in mind, I think you could have a perfectly reasonable chance of admission (depending on the strength of your application). The personal response questions and Common App essay are important too. Don't overlook any aspect of your application.
I've said this before: If your goal is to get into a top private target school, avoid preprofessional extracurriculars unless it's something social justice/public interest law-related. You should be doing activities like research, academic olympiads, sports, music, art, drama, and the like. Why would admissions officers, who are usually humanities majors, feel compelled to admit someone whose application screams investment banking hardo? Pick your niche, focus on getting accepted first, and once you're in, declare whatever preprofessional major you want.
Though if your goal is to settle for nontargets like Michigan, then by all means, go for it.
Lmao @ at the end. Vehemently agree with the bulk of your comment though. Very intelligent and shows you have an intricate understanding of admissions process. Seen one too many SJW chick list BLM / insert current politically correct trend community organizer (where only 20 ppl showed up) and get into top target. Coming across as altruistic and progressive -but genuinely via demonstrated EC’s- is a surefire way to get into a target. Elite parents know this and tailor their kid’s EC’s to this while providing them with opportunities/organizations that are difficult to find and access as a middle/upper-middle classman.
Yeah my grades aren’t exactly Ivy League and Stanford worthy lol. I’ve heard that these top public schools have decent networks within the world of banking so that’s what I’m kinda shooting for and even if I don’t get into those I’ll definitely try and transfer.
OP - just going to be realistic. If you haven’t been carefully crafting your EC’s since sophomore year or aren’t a desirable demographic (e.g., athlete, legacy, URM, poor), no GPA or test score will get you into the elite schools. Unfortunately, your parents didn’t care enough (or weren’t aware of) to put you into pipeline EC opportunities like niche music instrument or STEM-related competitions. Aim for strong semi-targets (Vandy/Emory/NESCAC/WashU) as reaches and throw in some finance-centric universities like IU Kelley or SMU (which has incredibly high placing program called Alternative Assets) that will allow you to excel at finance related activities.
I honestly don't think those semi-targets are worth shooting for as they would be high reaches too. Emory, Vanderbilt, WashU are harder to get into/lower acceptance rate than targets like Georgetown, Notre Dame, UMich, UVA. I believe all of them have less than 11-12% acceptance rate. If they're shooting for Emory/Vandy/WashU then might as well shoot for targets
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