Am I aiming too high or too low?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone! I made a similar post earlier, but since then, I've widened my list of choices..I just wanted to see if you guys think I'm aiming too high or too low for my stats. My school is very competetive, and if I went to a different school in my district, I would be top 5%. How important is class rank to colleges?</p>

<p>GPA: 4.32 Weighted, 3.79 Unweighted
11% in class
SAT: 720 CR, 660 Math, 760 Writing
PSAT: 204 (Sophomore year)
Currently in 5 AP classes</p>

<p>ECs:
NHS (Historian)
National Spanish Honor Society
Red Cross Club (Treasurer)
Junior Achievement Business Program (Manager of Human Resource)
Interact Club
Science Olympiad</p>

<p>I feel like my GPA and ECs are going to bring me down, as they're not anything special..but my SAT is pretty high. </p>

<p>My list is currently:
-UT Austin
-UNC Chapel Hill
-University of Florida
-University of Iowa
-University of Pittsburgh
-Purdue University
-Auburn University
-Northeastern University
-University of Houston (Safety)</p>

<p>I think everything except UH is reach...but I don't really know. Help?</p>

2

<p>I think your aiming just right, although I would add maybe 2 top tier colleges just for the hell of it. You never know. SAT would have to be hightened and your ECs more centralized if you want to apply to a top tier college, though.</p>

3

<p>Okay thanks! What do you mean by centralized EC? And do you have any recommendations for a top tier college for me to go for?</p>

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<p>He means that, right now, your ECs appear to be merely a list. There is no unifying theme. An admission officer from a top school might think this applicant joined club x,y,z solely to have a club under his belt. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about it, unless you did apply to several top top schools.</p>

5

<p>Alright. Thanks for the input. I feel like a lot of my stuff is volunteering? Oh I forgot to mention I have 750+ hours of volunteer work.</p>

<p>Any suggestion for how I can centralize my ECs?</p>

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<p>^^Exactly. I’m a girl, btw. Lol. For a top school, I’m not exactly sure since I don’t know what you would like to pursue in. But out of the top of my head: Duke, Vanderbilt, maybe Cornell. (if you could raise your SAT a bit)</p>

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<p>If you still have time, I would suggest focusing on subjects you are passionate about. Like Art, Music, Science, etc. Maybe have a few leadership positions in clubs related to your passion, win a few awards, get involved.</p>

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<p>I love love love volunteering, so I’m focusing a lot on that in clubs, but does that count for anything as far as an EC? Oh, I want to be a pharmacist…so that’s why I didn’t go for a top tier, because none of them have pharmacy…):</p>

9

<p>I think you’re aiming well, but you could do to add one or two reach schools to your list.</p>

10

<p>Your list is very good. The only possible reaches are UNC and UT (if you are OOS). But even then your chances are pretty good</p>

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<p>Would UMichigan be considered reach?
And I’m in-state for UT (:</p>

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<p>Are all of these schools affordable for your family?</p>

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<p>yes, but I’m still hoping for some scholarships. Like at Auburn, they offer Presidential scholarships and Heritage scholarships.</p>

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<p>The schools you have listed seem like great target schools for you, but from what i hear about UNC is it is very difficult to get in OOS, so that would be a reach for you (assuming you’re OOS).</p>

<p>UMich might be a high match to a low reach, but you should definitely add a couple reach-ier schools to your list!</p>

<p>Best of luck!! :)</p>

15

<p>okay, thanks! do you have any suggestions for reach schools for me?
i don’t want to get rejected HAHAH D:</p>

16

<p>Have you thought about applying to the University of Rhode Island??? They have an AMAZING pharmacy program and if you get that math SAT up a little I’d think you’d have a decent shot.</p>

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<p>Ohhh thanks!! I really stink at math though ):
I have a question…if you get a 2370 SAT, but have like a 10% class ranking, what kinds of scchools will take you? Should I even TRY for Vandy or Duke?</p>

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<p>class rank is becoming more and more irrelevant these days. IMO it’s very misleading; someone who takes reg classes and gets 100s would be top ranked over a 95 student in rigorous AP-type courses. </p>

<p>EVERY college in the universe would take someone with a 2370 SAT :)</p>

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<p>oh good. what about gpa and stuff like that? if you had like a 3.7 and a 2300, what would happen?</p>

<p>anymore chances please? (:</p>

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<p>anyone else?</p>