<p>Hello,
So I am applying early action to schools through QuestBridge. I will be going through the National College Match Process.
I want to apply to:
1. Brown University
2. Dartmouth College
3. University of Pennsylvania
4. University of Chicago
5. Williams College
6. University of Virginia
7. Tufts University
8. Pomona College</p>
<p>I also want to apply to other schools so I have safety schools, schools that I will get into for the most part (but they might be harder to get into), and then some other reach schools.</p>
<p>I have a 3.9 weighted GPA
I believe my unweighted GPA is a 3.65-7
My senior year schedule is :
1. AP Physics 1
2. AP Literature
3. AP Comparative Government
4. AP Spanish
5. Debate
6. Advanced Academic Seminar
7. Pre-Calculus Honors</p>
<p>My Achievements are:</p>
<p>• Academic Honor Roll: 2011-2014
• Coaches Award (JV Basketball: 2012-2013)
• Chorus: Most Improved Award (2012-2013)
• Varsity Letter for Debate 2013-2014
• Model United Nations Club: 2 Awards for Verbal Commendation 2014
• Science Fair Grand Prize Nominee 2014
• Regionals Science Fair Participant 2014
• 100 Verses Award Summer of 2011 (I recited 100 verses in 2-3 days)</p>
<p>My Extracurricular Activities/Sports
• Book Club (2011-2014)
• Student Government Association (2011-2012)
• Hayfield JV Girls’ Basketball Team (2011-2012)
• Chorus (2011-2013)
• It’s Academic (2012-2014)
• Leo Club (2013-2014)
• Environmental Club (2013-2014)
• Debate Club (2013-2014)
• Model United Nations Club (Treasurer 2013-2014)
• Spanish Honor Society (2013-2014)
• National English Honor Society (2013-2014)
• National Honor Society ( Treasurer 2013-2014)
• College Partnership Program ( Secretary 2013-2014)
• Club Emerge Plus (President and Founder of Club 2013-2014)
• Junior Math League Participant (2013-2014)
• Varsity Tennis Team (2013-2014)
• Writing Club (2013-2014)
• Hawk Writing Center tutor (one of the founders of the HWC) (2013-2014)</p>
<p>I volunteer at:
Grace Bible Church
and I will be volunteering at Inova Hospital- (in the summer and the rest of my senior year)</p>
<p>This summer:
I will be going to the College Partnership Program Summer Experience Program
A Summer Legal Institute
Volunteering at Inova Hospital
Taking Econ online
And I will be tutoring for Aristotle Circle</p>
<p>I am also an African American female.
Please be realistic with me, because I want to make sure I am not too overly ambitious. </p>
<p>SAT/ACT/ Subject tests
I took the SAT in June, so I will not know until June 26.
ACT: I will be taking it in September and October
Subject tests: They are really low like 450ish ( I took the subject tests for US history, Math 1, and Spanish.)
I am pretty bad test taker but I never practiced for the tests. This summer I am getting books and practicing so I can hopefully receive a 650 or above on those tests.)</p>
<p>Dartmouth, Brown, UPenn, UChicago, and UVA are all reaches (I don’t know about the other three). Most applicants to these schools will have -GPA’s of 3.9 and much higher weighted GPA’s. Also, you can only list 10 extracurriculars on your application (through Common App), so include the ones that were most meaningful to you/the ones that you held leadership positions in. Also, don’t submit you subject test scores if they’re below 600 (realistically if you’re applying to top colleges they should be above 700). Try to perform really well on the SAT or consider taking the ACT to offset you’re lower GPA. </p>
<p>@BadgerState although her URM status will definitely help, everyone has to realize that there will be plenty of more qualified African American applicants who score much better on tests and have better grades.</p>
<p>@castle027 thank you for the advice! I will try my best to do well on the ACT and improve
my subject test scores! I also will hopefully do well 1st semester of senior year. @BadgerState thanks for the advice/comment</p>
<p>What state do you live in? Although some now prohibit their public universities from granting preferences to underrepresented minorities, Texas and California guarantee admission to a state university if you are among the highest achievers at your school. Are you considering any Historically-Black Colleges like Spelman or Howard? Some small colleges are very generous toward minority applicants. You should probably look at some test-optional colleges, as well. Your test scores are definitely your weakest link. Otherwise, you are a pretty strong candidate. I suggest looking at some women’s colleges, and some small, lesser-known schools. You have been involved in your church, so you wouldn’t object to faith-based colleges (even if not your own denomination), I presume. Many of them have always reached out to disadvantaged students. Look at Earlham, Whittier, DePaul, Guilford, Eckerd, et al. </p>
<p>I live in Virginia. Thank you for the advice I want to apply to Northwest in Seattle, Mount Holyoke (women’s college), and Barnard College (women’s college). I did not list those colleges in my post. I will make sure to research more this summer. @woogzmama</p>
<p>@tesfayeB: congrats on your achievements to date. Good luck on your test results. If they come within the ball park of your target schools, and you pursue QB seriously, you will be in a great position by December (QB finalists who get matched find out the 1st week of December). If you’re too far off, then you’ll have a tougher road to hoe. Try retaking the ACT in Sept. I dunno the next SAT. Make sure you have your SATIIs ready, if you need them as well.</p>
<p>I’m a HUGE supporter of QB. In my area this past year, we saw 3 QB admits to my alma mater. Fantastic guys – one turned us down for PTon, however. Boo!</p>
<p>@heyhey2034 That’s not true. You don’t have to be perfect to get in since it’s Questbridge.</p>
<p>OP, since it is with Questbridge, you have a better shot than the average minority. However, your test scores are very low. There are only so many passes you will be given as a minority or low income applicant.</p>
<p>Your academic honors and ECs are great, but you need to get your test scores up. </p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck and if you want more people to see your post, just post ‘bump’ instead of advertising it on other peoples threads :-)</p>
<p>I think a lot is going to depend on your test scores. Do your best, and then post the results.I think with QB, you just don’t know who they will choose, so be cautiously optimistic, and once you get scores, you can make a list of more colleges to consider. Since admission to any top school is unpredictable, everyone needs a list of safeties. </p>
<p>I think you have good chance, don’t let anyone tell you, you don’t and I would use every angle to my advantage including minority status! I also believe that in if there is will there is way:) good luck</p>
<p>@Pennylane2011 That is very true! Thank you for the advice and I have a good amount of safety schools just in case. Unfortunately I was cursed with being a bad test taker but i am working on it! :)</p>
<p>One idea to spread out your possibilities is to consider Scripps College in place of Pomona. The colleges are all near each other and I think you can take classes at any of the Clairemont colleges. It is excellent, but it is not as selective, so this might increase your chances of being accepted.</p>
<p>You have a great and impressive academic record, and most of the schools on your list are either in match or easy reach. Some things to consider:
What are you thinking of majoring in college? Your extracurriculars, academic involvements, and classes should reflect that. E.g. if you are leaning towards a science major, you would a lot of science courses as opposed to humanities, and be involved in science fairs, competitions, hospital volunteers, etc.
What is your “theme” in your activities? Is it political involvement, social awareness, scientific findings, etc.? Colleges are looking for students with a direction. My college counselor told me that now, colleges aren’t looking for “well-rounded” students anymore. They are looking for students with one specific focus on their resume.
@bradybest</p>
@T26E4</p>