<ol>
<li>Using the Common App, is it possible to only send certain scores to colleges? I want some schools to see my SAT scores and all to see my ACT scores. How would I do this?</li>
<li>How exactly do you write a "personal statement"? What sorts of things do people talk about?</li>
<li>Do I have a shot at University of Virginia, Haverford, or UChicago with these stats? Should I even bother applying?</li>
</ol>
<p>I'm a senior.
GPA: 3.4 UW (going up this semester. On a 94-100 A, 84-93 B scale. School doesn't weight any classes for GPA)
Class rank: Top 12% (weights honors and AP), probably going up
Test scores:
ACT: 33 composite (35 English, 35 Reading, 34 Science, 27 Math)
SAT II: 690 Literature, 640 US History (these are the main things I'm worried about. UChicago doesn't require or recommend these so I'd rather not send them. This goes back to question 1.)
SAT: Testing next Saturday, not expecting anything impressive. I'm a bit out of touch with math.</p>
<p>I'm taking honors and AP classes in everything but math, which I went up to Algebra 3 in and they're unable to fit me into AP Stats unless I drop AP US, which I'm considering. I've taken AP Macroeconomics (A), AP Latin (expecting B), and AP Government (expecting A). I'm taking AP Bio, AP US, AP Euro, and AP English Comp next semester. Extracurriculars are fairly average. My main is Junior Classical League. I'm a state officer and have been involved for 3 years. I do have others, but I won't list them here unless they're requested.</p>
<p>I'm a white male with a $50,000 income family with one sibling. I live in Kentucky. I'm considering a double major in Economics and Art History, but not 100% decided.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Bump. Need some help, guys =/</p>
<p>I kept looking at the date of your entry…aren’t you a little late in asking some of these questions? I certainly hope you have sorted out some issues you raised here: which courses you’re taking this semester, which tests you’re taking. But, apologies… we’ve been so focused on ED that a RD timetable isn’t a thought.</p>
<p>As for your chances: great ACT, but it won’t look good for you to have dropped math on your transcript, no matter how strong in Language Arts. Many colleges like to see precalc or calc AB, so (only) going to Algebra 3 isn’t great. Check w/ each college’s suggested course requirements to learn specifics. Schools will look at any variables: scores, transcript, ECs, leadership, essay, recs. You are considering some very selective schools, so my guess is they’ll all be reaches.</p>
<p>Yeah… I’m applying RD and I’m a little late on taking the tests. Neither of my parents went to college so they can’t really help me out and now that I think about it, I can only think of one person in my extended family who has. My guidance counselor and school in general push instate colleges and ACT only. Not once has anyone ever talked to me about the SAT.</p>
<p>My courses next semester still aren’t sorted out. The only other test that I’m taking is SAT this coming Saturday for the first and only time. I have my recommendations, but I still need to write my essays.</p>
<p>I know what colleges I’m applying to, but I’ve been feeling a bit pessimistic after comparing my SAT II scores to others and wanted to know if I’ve still got a shot or I should just not apply to my reaches. I’m done with just about everything except personal statement (I still don’t know what kind of things people write for it. Again, don’t really have anyone to help me out here.) and essays, which I plan on writing and editing over the next week or two.</p>
<p>Many thanks for replying. =P</p>
<p>Edit: As a note, when I did my scheduling before school started, I requested Pre-Cal and they wouldn’t put me in it because there wasn’t enough room. I’ll go in Monday and see if I can get in next semester somehow.</p>