Expert: Susie Watts - 2/1/2011

Question
Assuming that at the end of senior year (i'm currently a sophomore) I'll have a GPA between 3.5 and 4, 1-2 leadership positions, good grades in a the AP classes that I do take (I plan on taking as many as I can handle), 150-200 hours of community/volunteer service, and a job (working 6 hours a week at the library), where does that place me on the spectrum of college bound students? What kind of opportunities will I have?

Also, any insight on declaring a major/choosing a career would be extremely helpful ... I've essentially no idea what I want to do when I get older. It seems every time I've found my "passion," I encounter something that makes my future blurry again (I've had phases where I've wanted to be a psychologist, a vet, photographer, graphic artist) ... what should I do?

is there any hope for those who, halfway through high school, are still confused about what their passion is?

Answer
You sound like a very well qualified student who should have a successful experience with college admissions.  The only problem is there are lots of qualified students and not enough room for all of them at certain schools.  College admissions has become very unpredictable so I advise all students to apply to a range of schools.  Colleges today are looking for a well-rounded freshmen class more than they are looking for well-rounded students.  I wouldn't worry about a career or major at this point.  Most of the students I work with apply to college as an undecided major.  There is nothing wrong with that because with the exception of very few areas, students do not have to decide on a major until the end of their sophomore year in college.  You will probably discover your passion without looking for it.

http://www.collegedirection.org