3.8 GPA, 31 ACT, Black/Afr. American

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Didn't mean to post this in College Selection! Sorry if you're seeing this for the second time!</p>

<p>Current HS junior
GPA: 3.80 (unweighted, slim but possible chance this will raise to a 3.87/3.9 by the time I apply)
ACT: first test-- 31 (33 Reading, 34 English, 28 Math, 29 Science, 7 Writing); second test -- 31 (36 Reading, 35 English, 25 Math, 28 Science, 8 Writing)
Ethnicity: Black/African-American</p>

<p>Honors/APs/notables taken or will take:
-Hon. English 9 & 10
-AP Language and Composition
-AP World History
-AP Microeconomics
-AP Macroeconomics
-Hon. Chemistry
-Hon. Physics
-Hon. Maths (Alg. 1, Geometry, Alg. 2/Trig., Pre-Calculus)
-AP Calculus AB
-Four years of French
-three years Dance 4/IB Dance
-volunteer three hours weekly to teach tap, jazz, and ballet to children ages 3-12</p>

<p>I realize that my GPA/ACT are not the best for the competitive schools I wish to apply to, but I am extremely active in fine arts in and out of school ("varsity" choir two years, dance company member three years). This takes up the majority of my time. On an average week, I dance 15 hours. On rehearsal/concert weeks this jumps to around 20+ hours. I also currently hold two jobs. This makes it extremely hard to maintain above a 3.8 GPA. Also, I am strongly considering dual majoring in business and dance at schools that offer it that are on my list. My worry is that schools will not realize/care the impact that my rigorous dance schedule has on my academics. My volunteer experience will improve this summer (participating in Summer in the City which tutors children, works on housing projects, and performs other general community service efforts in Detroit, MI).</p>

<p>Chance me for...
U of Michigan (in state, alumnus ties)
Columbia (notable alumnus & faculty ties)
NYU
UCLA
U of C - Berkeley
U of Pennsylvania
Northwestern University
Duke University
U of Chicago
U of Wisconsin
U of Minnesota
Emory University
Any of the outrageous Ivies? (Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Yale)</p>

<p>Sorry, I know it's a long list. Some are very far reaches, I'm just curious to hear your opinions. My essays will be strong and my letters of recommendation will be very strong.</p>

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<p><strong>forgot to include taking AP Statistics</strong></p>

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<p>wow, this is great! I think you’re good for Michigan, especially because it’s in-state so it’s way easier to get in! Not sure about the rest… I know a guy with a 35 on his ACT and who took many AP courses that got denied from lots of ivies… good luck, though!</p>

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<p>Go for it! What’s the worst they can say in decision day? No?? </p>

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<p>UMich - Match especially if you have quality legacy
Columbus - Match (same basis as UMich)
NYU - Match - Look into their summer programs if you really like them
UCLA - High Match
U of C Berkeley - High Match</p>

<p>Northwestern, Duke, and Chicago: Reach - High Reach</p>

<p>UWins - Low Match
UMinn - Low Match</p>

<p>Emory - No idea but seems like a high match</p>

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<p>I meant to add, go for your reaches! Don’t shy away from them! Just apply to the schools that you love, can see yourself spending four years at. Try to stay away from “What are my chances” threads, just live your life and live organically. I think the angst of CC & overthinking the process shines through in your applications and that’s NOT a good thing at all. </p>

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<p>@NewHavenCTmom‌ thank you for the advice!</p>

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<p>You are very welcome! Which grade are you in? </p>

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<p>I have a good idea of your chances, most of my friends who are black applied to the same schools you are applying to… (I’m black by the way)
U of Michigan - MATCH
Columbia- REACH**
NYU- MATCH
UCLA-MATCH
U of C - Berkeley- MATCH
U of Pennsylvania- LOW REACH
Northwestern University-LOW REACH
Duke University- LOW REACH
U of Chicago- REACH
U of Wisconsin-SAFETY
U of Minnesota-SAFETY
Emory University-MATCH</p>

<p>HYPSM are all Very high reaches for anyone.</p>

<p>** My friend,a black female, got in to Columbia with an 1830 sat, however this is rare and she did Questbridge.</p>

<p>Oh, but make sure your essays and EC’s are top notch!</p>

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<p>ok…</p>

<p>In your other thread you mention that your parents earn $350k and cant pay ANYTHING because of large debts.</p>

<p>So, this chancing thread is a waste of time if your schools are not affordable.</p>

<p>YOU can only borrow $5500 for frosh year. </p>

<p>You need to sit down with your parents and ask them if THEY will borrow the $200k+ for your college that THEY will have to pay back. If they say, NO, then your list wont work.</p>

<p>If they say YES, then have them check to see if they would qualify to borrow $200k+. </p>

<p>Do not promise to pay back that debt because you would not be earning enough to do so. the payments would be well over $2k per month. An income would have to be over $200k to make those payments along with normal living expenses. </p>

<p>Likely, you’re going to need a new list.</p>

<p>Are you a likely NAF?</p>

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<p>I agree with mom2collegekids. First of all, I want to assure you that you are a very good student. The concern is affordability of college since you are in the situation of needing financial aid, and your do not qualify for need based aid. Since you are a good student, it is natural to think of the top colleges, but what is excellent about being a good student in your situation is that you have the opportunity for merit aid at good- but not usually as prestigious- colleges. I agree that these are the ones you should be looking at. This doesn’t mean you can’t apply to others, and possibly some that award competitive merit aid, but you need a solid, guarantee merit,(safety(s)) on your list so that next year you are not in the situation not affording the colleges you have been admitted to.
Are you female? Women’s colleges sometimes award merit scholarships as do HBCU’s. Do not overlook these opportunities. One college that comes to mind is NCCU- which has an automatic merit award for someone with your qualifications. It is first come first served, so applying early will likely give you one affordable option. With a department of theater and dance, and business, it has the majors you want. I agree with other posters who have advised you to try for an ACT of 32/SAT 1400 (M+V) as this would qualify you for more options.
Keep up the good work as this may result in affordable opportunities for you. </p>

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<p>I agree with @mom2collegekids in that you need (in addition to this list) a list of schools where you feel that you could get in, would be happy AND could afford. We have seen a lot of heartache this year from with families whose child got into a ‘great’ school but the cost is prohibitive. The families’ EFCs were much higher than they can actually pay and the need part, though met, was met with Parent Plus and Student loans. </p>

<p>I also agree with @newhavenCTmom regarding reaching for the schools you want that are excellent schools. Just be realistic about finances and have some other options on tap also in case you get in, but find that the are financially not feasible.</p>

<p>If you are a NAF, then 'Bama, Howard, Ukentucky, OK (all with strong Honors departments) and many others may meet the need of quality, financial safety schools. These are reasonable to apply to while also doing your ‘reach’ list schools. </p>

<p>Please don’t make the mistake of not having financial and admissions match and safety schools. </p>

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<p>Given that in your other thread, you mentioned that your parents make enough to prevent you from getting need-based financial aid grants but cannot contribute anything, your entire list is super-reach (schools that offer large merit scholarships) or out-of-reach (schools that do not offer large merit scholarships, including all Ivy League schools).</p>

<p>Go to your other thread (now closed) and start making a new list based on large merit scholarships based on the lists in the linked threads there. A number of less selective schools will be safety candidates with automatic full ride merit scholarships; you can add additional competitive full ride merit scholarships for reach/match schools if you like them better than your safeties.</p>

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<p>UCLA and Berkley are reaches because they can’t consider your ethnicity/race.</p>

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<p>agree with savedtatwhime^</p>

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<p>Whoa!!! . Didn’t realize you were high SES. Why are you working 2 jobs? Consider Howard and those other schools that offer merit aid possibly? Get your ACT scores up and Howard will give you lots of $$$ as will the schools other CCers mentioned above…</p>

<p>Yes, unless you will need a new list…</p>

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<p>Quick question, why was OPs other thread closed? What did I miss?</p>

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<p>@NewHavenCTmom‌ I’m actually not sure why that thread closed… Nothing of my doing. Are there any schools that are still rigorous but may offer me more merit scholarships that you can recommend? Same question for you @mom2collegekids‌ </p>

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<p>@csahu97 the Tulane/American/UMiami set might offer stuff…but I’m really not sure, and it probably would not be sufficient.</p>

<p>I say go the honor college route at school that are good in their own right (i.e Howard, UAlabama) </p>

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<p>@csahu97‌ & @TheAtlantic‌ </p>

<p>I was going to say the same thing, also look into Ohio State University. Also, @ucbalumnus‌ will have a huge list of merit aid schools. The higher the ACT score, the better…& keep the grades up!</p>