Hello!
After visiting UVA, I fell in love. It is my number one reach school, but I want to know if I honestly even have a sliver of a chance to get it. I’m a junior,
3.87 gpa unweighted- 4.01 weighted
4 year varsity athlete
2 years of debate team
100+ hours of Christian service
Junior year class president
One year of JV lacrosse
34 on the ACT, no SAT
I would also be in state at UVA, with no financial aid. I don’t really have a hook, but I have overcome a plethora of obstacles in high school that I may write about.
Honestly, do I even have a chance? I also really like William and Mary and Vanderbilt, but that is most likely a pipe dream.
Thanks for your input!
You certainly have a chance but how much will depend on where in VA you are from. From NOVA maybe not much.
Yes, what part of VA are you from?
Are your parents fine with being full pay if you get in???
What did you love about it when you visited?
Put lots of thought and effort into the essays. Remember they are supposed to help the admissions officers understand you, and are not academic research papers.
Try the SAT too. The ACT and SAT are very different, and many people do better on one than the other.
Each year W&M admits some in-state residents that UVa does not, and visa versa. I would definitely apply to both, along with some matches and safeties.
Whether you need financial aid or not does not affect admissions decisions for US applicants to UVa.
For your essay write something you are passionate about and what makes you, you. Find something that creates a spark with you because with top schools they will see the same applicant, someone who has done well in school, got involved in a few clubs, volunteered a little, anyone can do those things. My advice is try to find some books that may interest you and read them, and make an essay on what you are really passionate about. I also recommend for writing an essay you should get entitled Getting To YesL Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, it will make your essay more convincing.
IDK, Vandy does like 34s and community service…
But if you’re from Fairfax or Leesburg, good luck with UVA. My former next door neighbor has roughly the same stats as you (and for all I know, that IS you) and she’s going for UVA. She’s from Loudoun and not AOS or TJ, so … 
Good luck!