A bit doubtful on my chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Okay, here's the deal. I'm an Asian female rising senior (now that summer's finally here... oh hell yes) who goes to a highly competitive public school. I'd like to study economics/business in college, but with my stats, I'm not so sure if my current prospective schools are too out of my reach and if I should rethink my list into more realistic schools.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.65 UW, 4.43 W
Rank: School doesn't rank
SAT: 2030- 680 M, 610 V, 740 W (Retaking in October)
SAT II: None yet (Taking in November)</p>

<p>Freshman GPA: 3.64 UW, 4.36 W
Sophomore GPA: 3.71 UW, 4.71 W
Junior GPA: 3.43 UW, 4.43 W</p>

<p>As you can see, I improved from freshman to sophomore year, only to take 3 AP classes and 4 tough honors classes during my junior year to bring my GPA back down again. I attribute this to the fact that I took very hard classes during my junior year, yet the downfall is too evident to just blame it on my courses... I pretty much have no one but myself to blame. How will this hurt me, if at all? (I'm pretty sure it will.)</p>

<p>Anyway, here are my EC's. My three main interests are soccer, french horn, and computers.</p>

<p>-Summer Research Intern at Georgetown
-Best Buy, computers department
-Private Tutor</p>

<p>-SGA Class Treasurer
-Mock Trial
-Business Club
-Freelance Music Club
-School Website Maintainer</p>

<p>-Girls' Varsity Soccer
-Co-Captain of Varsity Squad
-Club/Travel Soccer</p>

<p>-All County Symphonic Band, Principal
-All State Symphonic Band
-French Horn Teacher for beginners</p>

<p>-National Honor Society
-French National Honor Society
-Tri-M Music Honor Society</p>

<p>I am currently looking at these schools, provided I do well on the SAT I and SAT II's this fall:</p>

<p>-Cornell
-Duke
-Penn
-Berkeley
-UCLA
-UMich
-Northwestern
-UVA
-UNC
-Boston University</p>

<p>I think I want to apply early to either Cornell (I have legacy), Duke, or Penn. According to the Duke admissions site, if I rush my SAT II scores in November, the scores should arrive in the admissions office in time for them to consider my application as an early decision applicant. I will have great essays and teacher recommendations, too.</p>

<p>However, I think I'm shooting too high for many of these schools such as Duke or Penn with my relatively low stats. I'm looking more at UCLA and Michigan now, though I would be applying out of state... that's also a problem.</p>

<p>What are your thoughts? Am I shooting too high? Or, suggest any new schools that would be a good fit for someone such as myself. Plus, if you have any comments on my grades and its downward trend and its effect on my chances, that would be great, too.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Cornell is probably a great choice to ED. Despite what many people here might think (especially of your gpa and sat), I think you have a great chance, especially with legacy. Goodluck</p>

3

<p>Wow you have a 3.6uw GPA and got a 4.3w?</p>

4

<p>I think you need a more balanced list with more safeties. You can look up average stats for the schools and don't need us to tell you that you are aiming high. Mich is within reach, but UCLA and Cal for oos candidates are almost ivy like.</p>

<p>While your school may not rank, they will give colleges a strong indication of where you stand. You are looking at mostly schools that will want you to be top decile.</p>

5

<p>Are you good enough to be a recruited athlete? that would help a lot . . .</p>

6

<p>You do need some more matches and safeties. You need to talk to your counselor about how kids at your school fare with your grades. At some schools your grades will still get you into Cornell--I know someone with a 3.2 unweighted who got in with low 1300 SATs. With your legacy status, ED might be a good bet. However, with your grades as they are, RD might help you if you can bring your grades up first term senior year as many kids go down then. You can even request your counselor to send your quarter grades if it helps you. That upward trend could be helpful. </p>

<p>UCLA and Berkeley take very few out of staters so I woud look at those as lottery tickets.</p>

7

<p>kersplunk:</p>

<p>UCLA: Slight Reach (out of state)
UCB: Slight Reach (out of state)</p>

8

<p>Wow, thanks everyone for the replies.</p>

<p>Yeah, I definitely know that I need more safeties. I was just trying to narrow down some of the schools that I would be shooting for in my original post. I'm in-state for UMD, so I'm calling that my safety for now. I'm also thinking about Penn State, James Madison, and George Mason as other safeties that are near me and pretty decent schools. If anyone else can think of any match schools, let me know.</p>

<p>As for being a recruited athlete, yes, I could be recruited for soccer. However, I'm not totally sure if I want to play college soccer or not. I might just want to concentrate on my studies while in college... but I'm still thinking about it a lot.</p>