Aiming too high?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a Mexican-American female and soon to be senior. I've had my heart set on a few very selective schools but I'm afraid I may be a bit too optimistic for my own good. :( I would be grateful for any advice/opinions! :)</p>

<p>My stats:</p>

<p>ACT (w/o writing)- 27
SAT (based on the PSAT, taking it this week) CR: 710 M:500 W:630
SAT II - US History: 750 Lit: 680
AP: Euro:5 APUSH & Language pending
GPA: 3.49 Unweighted + 3.69 weighted
Also, my school is highly selective, nationally ranked, and we do not have class rankings.
All of my core classes + foreign language classes have been either GATE, honors, or AP
My Senior course load = AP Lit, AP Psych, AP Econ, AP Cal AB, AP Gov, and 'Student Instructor' </p>

<p>Clubs:
9th-12th - Mock Trial (President, went to state competition in the 10th grade)
11th-12th- Connections Club (Founder & President,, a political activism club. Somewhat impressive, we had the chair of the Communist Party of America come and speak at our school :)!)
12th- Poetry Club
12th- School Newspaper
10th-12th NSHSS </p>

<p>Volunteer:
12th- Student Instructor for my APUSH class (Tutor Juniors in APUSH, basically)
12th- Freshmen mentor</p>

<p>Summer plans-
Volunteer at the local art museum
Possibly doing Future Latino Leaders (haven't heard back yet)</p>

<p>Anticipating good rec letters</p>

<p>Dream Schools:
NYU, UPenn, UChicago, UCLA, Columbia, Carnegie Mellon, Mills, Barnard</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>I think you might have to look a little bit lower than Penn,Chicago,UCLA, and Columbia, the others will probably be close I would consider retaking the ACT?</p>

3

<p>I was actually forced by my school to take the ACT so I didn’t study very hard. I don’t anticipate retaking because I’m planning on only submitting my SAT scores. Sorry I should have clarified that >.<</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I would maybe consider retaking either SAT or ACT. However, your URM status will help you get into some of the schools on your list. Your ECs are good which might compensate for a lower gpa.</p>

<p>Just wanted to add, I don’t think you are aiming too high. But make sure you have safeties.</p>

5

<p>Thank you to both of you! :slight_smile: I’m planning on taking the SAT twice, so I’m hoping I’ll get above a 2000. If you don’t mind, do you recommend any worthwhile ‘safety’ schools for someone interested in Law/History?</p>

6

<p>+2000 would help a lot. Try for 2100, a lot of kids underestimate the importance of good/great SAT scores. What state do you live in? That can affect which schools would be a “safety” for you. But also, I think you should consider the University of Michigan as a low reach, high-ish match. It is a great school with a good law program and is pretty well recognized.</p>

7

<p>I live in Arizona, so I’m definitely applying to the U of A and ASU (hopefully I’ll get into the Honors program there) I will definitely look into the University of Michigan! :D</p>

8

<p>Your GPA and SAT are probably too low for the Ivies. With a 3.49 GPA, you’d probably need a 2200+ on your SAT.</p>

<p>Try looking at Penn State (high match/low reach), Northeastern, Syracuse, Quinnipeac (sp?), maybe Hofstra or Adelphi for low matches/high safeties? And of course check out ASU.</p>

9

<p>Maybe also American, Sarah Lawrence (close to NYC), Lewis & Clark (OR), Boston University and Wisconsin. Best of luck!</p>

10

<p>Yeah but Sarah Lawrence is officially the most expensive college in America as of 2011. Probably not worth it.</p>

11

<p>Wow, I did not know that.</p>

12

<p>I was definitely interested in Sarah Lawrence, unfortunately price is also a bigger factor in my decision than I would like it to be :I I knew the Ivies are a stretch but I’m hoping I have a good shot at NYU (UChicago and UCLA seem like they’ll be wildcards) </p>

<p>I’ve heard things about Penn State and American (which I may visit this summer) so I’ll look into them. </p>

<p>I’d like to list Barnard as a high match/ mid reach, but I’m hesitant. Thank you all so much for the advice, this helps tremendously!</p>

13

<p>Yeah it’s like $56,000 a year. Ridiculous.</p>