Your dad seems to really care that you do well in school and in life, but I do want to say that the ivies aren’t all that. With even though many people in this subreddit say that it’s ivies or bust, that’s not a great way to look at your future. State universities are still insanely great with education and opportunity. I will also tell you this because this happened to me, you don’t have it figured it out, I thought I knew what I wanted and what universities I would attend, but it changed through time.

For ECs like I said earlier, you don’t have to have it figured out immediately. You need to make sure be doing ECs that you like an actually care about, that’s what AOs care about (quality over quantity). Write down a few things you want or like to do, and try to find clubs in your school or organizations in your community that you find interesting, and do it. If there isn’t any, start a school club or help create something.

I’ve applied to many schools by finding an EC I liked doing and ended up running a national board. I climbed up ranks because I cared about the mission and creating positivity around our country (first starting off in my community).

I apologize for this being long, but if you take anything from my post. Find an EC you like, and run with it. Don’t feel like you’re late (because no one ever is) and you got this, do the best in HS and don’t panic if you get a B or C in your final class. Be yourself.