What colleges look for?

Question

Im going into 9th grade, got all A's in 8th. I was recommended for all honors, but decided to take 2 as to not overload myself. My parents also said colleges look for improvement, so if I take a couple honors this year and keep adding, this will look good. Is this true? Here is my schedule:

Bio CP1 (although I REALLY wish i would have taken honors, it is my favorite subject)

PE wellness (health 2nd sem.)

English CP1

German 2 honors

Algebra 1 honors

World History1 CP1

Image Editing CP1 (Food&Nutrition 2nd sem. i am not looking foward to that one)

sigh...i have no friend in ANY of my classes.

i play softball, would this look good if i played for the school?

any tips/help are/is welcome

Answer 1

they actually dont pay attention much to your freshmen year...honors classes will do good for bringing up your overall GPA which is looked at by all colleges.  I was in preap classes and regular classes my freshmen and sophomore year but junior year was when I grabbed most of my AP classes. I took it pretty easy with my senior year though....Playing softball will look good but in your later years I would get into more activities.  Grades aren't good enough anymore, you gotta show activities and leadership.  As far as your freshmen schedule its good, don't stress over it.  If you're getting upper classes just make sure you do good in them because if not, its really not doing you any good and it would be better to take regular classes and get an A than honors and get a D

Answer 2

Yes, it is true that colleges look for improvement and to see if you are challenging yourself. Sports are almost always a good idea, or at least some kind of extracurricular, like a club.

Don't worry about not coming in with any friends, you'll make some in the first few weeks of class.