<p>Senior Year Course:
Spanish 4
Calculus
Chamber Choir
Honors British Literature
Physics
Theology 4
Psychology
American Gov't
Economics</p>
<p>*My GD told me that I'm currently taking the most challenging courses and that I'm on my way to becoming valedictorian. My school does not provide any AP courses and only a couple of Honors classes per grade (it's a VERY small school with only 100 high school students)...but I've never had anything below an A on my report card.</p>
<p>ACT: 28 (Taken 4 times; highest score) (however, English was 31 and Reading was 35)
SAT: 1890/2400 (Only taken once) (Will retake at the end of January; any tips?)
GPA: 4.00 UW</p>
<p>Activities:
Cross Country (10-12) (Captain in 12) (Scholar Athlete Award)
Track (10-12) (Long distance co-captain in 11-12)
NHS Treasurer (10-11) and President (12)
House Captain (12)*
Spanish Club (9-12) (VP in 11) (President in 12)
Service Club (11-12)**
Multicultural Club (11-12) (Sr. VP in 12)</p>
<p><em>My school has a student-led house system similar to the house system in Harry Potter (replaces SGA)
*</em>Won a Public Service Award</p>
<p>Had 6 internships/jobs at various local companies/businesses since freshman year (helped to pay high school tuition, so I've literally been working my butt off).</p>
<p>Also won basically every one of my school's "Highest Average in ______ Class" award (e.g., Highest Average in Biology) throughout high school (Total of about 20 accumulated awards)</p>
<p>My teacher is also a triple-major (and current grad student) from Notre Dame who is willing to vouch for me.</p>
<p>I know my scores are awful, but I do not believe that they truly define me. I am extremely hardworking and dedicated, and I don't want my whole academic career to amount to nothing because of a number. (I mean seriously, is the science section supposed to mirror college-level science classes or something?) So, do you think I have a chance to accomplish the impossible and get into Notre Dame, Georgetown, Tulane, UNC, WashU, or Emory?</p>
<p>Your SAT/ACT are too low for Georgetown, UNC (OOS), and possibly Notre Dame. Your school looks very easy due to the fact that valedictorians at most schools are able to score at least 2100+/32+. I hate to say it, but your scores ruin your chances at most of the schools. Your ECs look awesome… but no school will accept you if they think you will struggle in class. I think you have a very slight chance at Emory/WashU, but your scores are well below the 25% for each school. Your scores are also well below the 25% for Notre Dame, but if your teacher can pull some strings you might be able to get in there as well. Tulane is a possibility, yet your scores are just below the 25% for accepted students. You have to face these facts, over 75% (far over 75% at some schools) of the students at these schools have better scores than you.</p>
<p>Like above said your school seems too easy if you the valedictorian is scoring only 28. Many vals score around 2200-2400 in the sat and 34+ act. I think you’d be a match for case western. Notre dame’d be a reach.</p>
<p>Thanks…but I forgot to mention that I will retake the SAT at the end of the month… A lot of kids at my school have higher test scores; however, I am currently ranked #1 because of my work ethic…and trust me, my school is not “easy.” I mean, I’m taking 9 classes this year.</p>
<p>If you can get that ACT/SAT up to even a 30/2000, you’ll be in much better shape. Take practice tests, identify your weak areas, and strengthen them! Sometimes skills like critical reading and your knowledge of vocabulary can be a challenge to improve, but bumping up your score in math and writing is verrrry managable with some studying.</p>
<p>If you have consistently had lower test scores relative to your class grades, it is time to sit down with your guidance counselor and discuss possible causes for this. Things that leap to mind (there are other possibilities as well) include:
Test-induced anxiety. Your counselor and/or the school psychologist can advise you on ways to reduce this.
Dyslexia/dyscalculia-type processing issues. Your reading scores are fine, but I take it that your ACT math score is lousy. If you have a so-far unidentified dyscalculia issue going on, your counselor and/or the school psychologist can advise you on strategies that will help you work better with your own brain’s way of functioning.</p>
<p>I know a student who took the ACT multiple times, and never scored over 29. Like you, this student was near the top of her class at a tiny school, and graduated with something like a 3.99999. Because of this student’s commitment to community service, she was admitted to Guilford College as a Bonner Scholar. You may want to take a look at the institutions that participate in that program: [url=<a href=“http://www.bonner.org/]default[/url”>http://www.bonner.org/]default[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Judging by the fact that you got a 31 english and 35 writing, and still got a score in the 20’s, I’d say you really have to work on your math skills. Consider doing some self-studies in AP classes, then going to a nearby school and taking the AP test. A lot of the colleges you are looking at aren’t going to be impressed by your class rank/honors in a school with only 100 kids, especially when it might not be very competitive. My school doesn’t even give a rank because of the amount of kids with all APs and the competitive nature, besides, some schools don’t offer those “best in _____” awards, so colleges can not technically use it to judge someone. What is really hurting you is your test scores. Your GPA is wonderful, keep it up.</p>
<p>Personally I think math is by far the easiest subject to get a better score on with short prep time. I got my score up 100 points with just half an hour a week for a few months. Very doable. As has been said, get a 30 or 2000 and you’ll increase your chances.</p>