Dear Under Achiever,

You did not get above a 1580 on your SAT or above a 32 on your ACT. You have a 3.5 GPAb ut are in the bottom 25% of your class. You are in trouble. By today’s standards, you may have to go to online college.

You are a good athlete but not the best. You did not start for your Travel or High School football, soccer, lacrosse, or basketball team. Actually, you didn’t even play in most of the games, and if you did play, it was because your team was up by 30+ points.

Are you feeling sorry for yourself yet? Do you know how many peers of yours are in the same boat across the country? Maybe the pressures on middle & high school sports and academics is becoming unhealthy? Why? International influence, probably. Competitive parents, definitely. Does it matter? No.

Do not be influenced by the NOISE. Noise is the rumblings heard in the community at PTA meetings, school and sport functions, parties, bus stop, grocery store…it is hearsay. Stop with the comparisons and start focusing on the individual. Everyone wants their son or daughter to be the Valedictorian or All-Star All-American Athlete who will play their sport in college or professionally. What are the chances?

“…of the nearly eight million students currently participating in high school athletics in the United States, only 460,000 will compete at NCAA schools. And of that group, only a fraction will realize their goal of becoming a professional athlete.” Article here.

Start to get realistic. Keep your aspirations, but do something productive.

In the market for High School students, what is the college looking for in their applicants? Does anyone really know? No. Outside of MIT or the Ivy League, intelligence becomes a commodity. 

Athletics are driven by metrics. Do you have the numbers? Maybe.

Are you doomed?

No. What are you going to do? What do you like to do? Who do you want to be around?

Start today by asking yourself these questions. If you cannot answer these questions, you have more opportunity to explore. Start doing. Need ideas to get you thinking, read below.

 

1. Volunteer/Apprenticeship/Job Shadow

2. Work

3. Start a blog

4. Become an entrepreneur

5. Start a business-get a business license

6. Create a business website

7. Create a personal website

8. Be productive

9. Use your passion to become an influencer

10. Find your own element of what you enjoy and turn your passion into a way to get into the college of your choice.

 

Any of these experiences will give you a story to tell. Your story can differentiate you from that academic rock star or athletic superstar, and you may earn their spot at that University.

Imagine your application to college to include your counselor’s recommendation letter. What will be said? 4.0, 1020-SAT, 27 ACT. You and millions more.

But what if yours included the following.

~ I started a business working with XYZ Groups in the surrounding area.

~ We raised $$$$$ to give back to ABC Organization.

~ Here is my link to an article written about me in the local paper.

~ PLease find letters attached that I received to thank me for investing time within LMNO Company to learn the business.

~ Here are some links to the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat & Pinterest accounts I created for QRX, Inc.

~ Attached is a video of a tutorial session I did at The Orchards to share resources and teach senior citizens about social media.

You don’t have to be the Valedictorian or All American Athlete to get the attention of a premiere University. Be different.

Parents, this message is also for you. You can help, drive, influence, motivate, support any of these endeavors. Be clever.

By the way, this is more about the end game, your career. The further down stream you start these practices, the sooner you will land your dream career. Take action. Now.