A Little Arab Boy's Trek Towards Higher Learning

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys so I'm a 17 year old rising senior (just finished Junior year). I'm an Arab American (Half Iranian and half Iraqi). I'm an American-born citizen living in southeastern Virginia and am wondering what my chances are of getting into these colleges:</p>

<p>1.UVA
2.W&M
3.JMU
4.GMU
5.UMW</p>

<p>Personal Info:</p>

<p>GPA(Weighted as of end of 1st semester Junior year):4.40</p>

<p>GPA(Unweighted as of end of 1st semester Junior year):3.93</p>

<p>SAT: Composite:2020
Math:700
CR:650
Writing:670 (MC 65 Essay 9)</p>

<p>*Note these scores are much lower than what I was hoping for. I had hardly studied, but am planning to this summer and retaking it in October. I'm aiming for at least 2100, 2200 would be ideal, and is reachable.</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests:</p>

<p>Math II:760
Chemistry:760</p>

<p>AP Exams:</p>

<p>(10th grade exams)</p>

<p>Human Geo-3
Psychology-4</p>

<p>(11th grade exams)</p>

<p>Chemistry-4
Physics B-4
Calc AB-5
Language and Composition-5</p>

<p>Class rank:12/300ish</p>

<p>As for recommendations, I can definitely get a few teachers that I know well who will give me great recommendations and can possibly get my volunteer supervisor to do the same. I feel as if that part is taken care of.</p>

<p>As stated by the title, my ECs are incredibly lacking. I am part of the Medical and Health Specialties Program at my High School, and because of it I'll have 120 hours of community service, which I do at a local hospital, by the time I apply for colleges. I also arbitrarily volunteer at a local Islamic Sunday School. Other than that, I am part of the National Honor Society as well as the Latin Honor Society. I've also done Karate for a few years but only progressed a few belts before quitting. My only legitimate hobby would be drawing, but I haven't done anything to "show it off," besides maintaining an online webcomic for a few months (which I hope to continue) and the occasional post on deviantart.
Soooo what are my chances? I thank you ahead of time for any input.</p>

2

<p>1.UVA - high match
2.W&M - high match
3.JMU - safety
4.GMU - safety
5.UMW - safety</p>

<p>Its almost impossible for you to be turned down by 3-5, so you might as well focus on some matches and reaches.</p>

3

<p>Hmm thanks, for a reach I would probably choose a college like Cornell, even though my chances of getting into there are extremely slim. XD</p>

4

<p>UVA: Match/High match (southeast VA is an advantage)
W&M: Match/High match (depends on whether you ED or not)
JMU: Safety
GMU: Safety
UMW: Safety</p>

5

<p>Sweet, can you please explain to me how ED can help? I’m really confused on the subject</p>

6

<p>^ Fewer people apply ED, so you’d be seen within a smaller applicant pool, for one. If you’re super qualified for a school and really like it, you should apply ED, as you’ll be pitted against fewer people, and there’s a higher acceptance rate ED.</p>

7

<p>ah, well I’m not so sure I should apply to UVA and W&M early since I’m not too confident about my SAT scores, I’d feel much more confident with a 2200+ score than a 2020 XD. Plus I plan on taking at least one more Subject Test in either Math I or Physics.</p>