A JUNIOR looking for advice and guidance!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone! This is my first post, but I've spent some time reading around the site - I love it! My name is Billy, and I'm a junior at a small, private, Catholic school in Virginia. I am a white male who's looking for some guidance from all you experts out there! =) Thanks for all advice and thoughts - good and bad!</p>

<p>GRADES:</p>

<p>(Weighted)</p>

<p>8th Grade - 98.6667
Freshman - 99.4286
Sophomore - 100.1351
Cumulative - 99.5977
Q1 Junior - 104.5</p>

<p>AP: This year, just biology & US history. Next year: calculus, government, French, literature, possibly statistics or chemistry</p>

<p>Since my school is very small, it doesn't release class rank to colleges. I know, however, through talking with peers and such, that I am 3rd out of about 65.</p>

<p>TESTS:</p>

<p>Sophomore - 203
Junior - 209 (80 Math, 68 Critical reading, 65 Writing)</p>

<p>SATs - Taking this month, studying hard.</p>

<p>Will be taking SAT II tests and possibly ACT.</p>

<p>EXTRA-CURRICULARS:</p>

<ul>
<li>Key Club, Vice President</li>
<li>Film Club, President & Founder</li>
<li>National Honor Society (Going to run for President next year)</li>
<li>Applying for the VA Governor's School this summer in the humanities</li>
<li>Volunteering at the local library</li>
<li>Volunteering at a local nursing home</li>
<li>Varsity tennis (since 7th grade)</li>
<li>Varsity cross country (since 9th grade)</li>
<li>Church youth group</li>
<li>Acolyte at my church, team leader</li>
<li>For the past five summers, I went to a summer camp in New Hampshire for seven weeks. It's not an average camp; it teaches leadership and morals. I've had tons of memorable experiences through hiking, camping, and many other activities. I've done probably 100+ hours of community service through trail work there as well. I'm sure I'll be able to write some great essays with it. I was also elected a Captain-of-Industry there, but I think that I won't put that on my application, since it's such an obscure title.</li>
</ul>

<p>AWARDS (lacking):
- Outstanding dedication award for Key Club - 30 hours or more of service (Sophomore)
- 10th in VA on the National French Exam (Sophomore)
- Will likely be commended for my PSATs</p>

<p>ESSAYS & RECOMMENDATIONS:</p>

<p>Obviously haven't started, but I have some teachers in mind, and I will be putting a lot of time into my essays.</p>

<p>LEGACY:</p>

<p>Massive legacy at the University of Virginia - entire mom's side of the family. We still give a considerable amount of money. My dad went to Vanderbilt. My entire dad's side of the family, except for my dad, went to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.</p>

<p>I know it's early, but I have begun thinking about colleges. Here's a tentative list:</p>

<p>University of Virginia
James Madison University
Tufts University
Boston College
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Northwestern University
Georgetown University
Brown University</p>

<p>So, what are your thoughts? Am I aiming too high? What are some other colleges I should think about? What should I be doing better or differently?
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read this!</p>

2

<p>Bump. =(
I am gonna copy this to another part of the forum.</p>

3

<p>you have a very good shot at UVA. my mom went there also, and make sure to contact the legacy coordinator there, and set up a meeting with her and she will tell you basically whether you will get in or not. to find out her name, etc. have your mom or whatever your legacy is to call the admissions office and ask for the legacy coordinator</p>

<p>and i dont know how much UMich weighs legacies so i cant really help you out there</p>

4

<p>^ Thanks! I'll have to get on that soon.</p>

5

<p>Your legacy will be a big plus and the fact you are donating money still only enhances your chances. However, your sats will have to be at least decent. Nothing less then 2k, if u can hit 2100 then ull be fine. However, for an ivy like Brown, u should shoot for 2200 and try to do an internship if possible in ur prospecitve major. If pre-med try to be a doctors assistant/intern, business try do get one for a well known company (i.e. I got one form MIcrosoft). However, if u cant hit 2100 by teh end of junior year, play it safe and take an entire summer course on the SAT which is what i did. I jumped from 1860 to 2140 because of a summer course so u can ensure ur way into U MICH and UVA.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the advice!
I am interested in political science - it's a shame the midterms already passed.</p>

7

<p>BUMP!
Any advice, anyone?</p>

8

<p>If you pull a strong SAT around 1400+ (Out of 1600) you should definately be in at UNC even out of state.</p>

<p>I'd say you're in at all with the exception of Brown which may be a slight reach simply because it's an Ivy and it's a reach for everyone.</p>

<p>Do well on the SAT. Good luck in the future wherever you go.</p>

9

<p>I love how cheerful and upbeat you are! :]</p>

<p>Your EC's sound pretty decent; the sports will totally help. Just focus really hard on getting those standardized tests... otherwise, I think you have a good set of colleges. It's so great how you already know where you want to go!</p>

10

<p>Holy Cross and Notre Dame</p>

11

<p>Thanks so much everyone! =)
As for Holy Cross and Notre Dame, I am not Catholic and don't really want to go to a Catholic school, so I probably won't be applying there.</p>

12

<p>you have a 100 gpa</p>

<p>go outside and meet girls</p>

<p>do college apps next december</p>

13

<p>haha I do have a social life if that's what you mean</p>

14

<p>Boston College - Match (however your test scores will ultimately decide you fate.)</p>

15

<p>Boston College and Georgetown are both Catholic schools.</p>

16

<p>I know, but from what I know they are much "less Catholic" haha, if that makes sense. In other words, religion doesn't play as much a role. Notre Dame is something like 98% Roman Catholic, right?</p>

17

<p>bump please!</p>

<p>I took the SATs last week! =)</p>