12/03/2021
Dear Rachel,
Great job taking the initiative and getting involved in the college planning process so early! First things first, take a deep breath! Standardized testing can be extremely stressful, but luckily you can take it as many times as you want. Just like with basketball, practice makes perfect. Dedicate some time each day to completing a few practice problems. As your confidence builds, your nerves will fade.
As far as your community involvement goes, it is extremely impressive to be a participant in so many extracurriculars AND make the honor roll! It may not seem like much to you, but juggling these activities speaks volumes for your time management skills. It is important that you reflect on your community involvement and how it has shaped you as a person throughout your applications. A great opportunity for this is in your essay and short answer portions. Instead of focusing on impressing the admissions board, focus on being yourself and conveying your character. Also, it would be great if you could have people who view you in two different settings speak on your behalf to truly show your full personality. After all, keep in mind that this information isn't found on your resume or transcript!
You are going to do great! I hope this has helped! Feel free to sign up for my course or book a session with me for more guidance.