Am I Being Slightly Ambitious?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hey guys. This is my first time posting on this website. I've read a couple things on here from search results on Google and it seems like there are A LOT of informed and intelligent posters on here, so I have a few questions of my own. I'm a junior in high school and live in Tennessee. My GPA is 3.85 weighted (5.0 scale I think) and I believe 3.6 something unweighted (very very disappointing because I know that I am a lot more intelligent than my GPA). I'm ranked 50 out of 356 and I have an SAT score of 1720. 590 on Critical Reading, 580 on Math, 550 on Writing. I have an ACT score of 28 overall. 33 on Reading, 27 on Science, 25 on Math, and 25 on English. I made 8 out of 12 on Writing and my combined Writing and English Score is 24. I'm probably taking the ACT again in September and hopefully I get a 30. I know that I am capable of getting 30. I'm capable of getting 30+ on Reading AND English (my English score was so low because I fell asleep on that section. Disappointing I know).</p>

<p>I'm involved in a lot of different extracurricular activities. Just to name a few: soccer, Beta Club, Youth in Government, Teen Court, Vice President of Spanglish (Spanish-Language Club) hopefully president next year, etc, etc, etc.</p>

<p>I have a passion for politics and government and if would like to double major in political science and economics if possible. I am a 16 year old, African-American male permanent resident that was born in Nigeria.</p>

<p>I can't think of anything else that I could give to give you a better idea of myself. I think that should be pretty good.</p>

<p>That being said the top 5 schools on my list right now are Stanford, Michigan, Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and Duke. Those are the schools I hope to apply to.</p>

<p>Contrary to my hardly above average GPA and mediocre test scores, I believe that I am a very intelligent person and an excellent debater and speaker. Sometimes I just don't feel challenged in school or motivated, so I don't try. And also I'm not sure how great of a test taker I am.</p>

<p>I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to go to Stanford, but I would not mind Michigan or OSU at all.</p>

<p>Am I being ambitious in my choices or am I competitive enough to get into these schools?</p>

<p>I appreciate any feedback and apologize for the extremely long post. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Also, I would like to add that I have taken countless honors classes, I am currently enrolled in AP English III and AP U.S. History, and I will be taking AP Marco-Economics, AP English IV, AP Government, and AP Calculus next year.</p>

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<p>“Contrary to my hardly above average GPA and mediocre test scores, I believe that I am a very intelligent person and an excellent debater and speaker. Sometimes I just don’t feel challenged in school or motivated, so I don’t try. And also I’m not sure how great of a test taker I am.”</p>

<p>Anyone can say that, including an unintelligent person. As an intelligent person, I’m sure you can see the issue there.</p>

<p>I don’t know what to tell you because there aren’t many 1st generation immigrants (and especially not from Africa) here, so I can’t compare you to anyone. I have no idea how much of a benefit that provides, but I doubt you’d get into any of those except maybe OSU, but someone more knowledgeable should let you know.</p>

<p>Edit: Having taken AP classes and honors classes helps, I started my post before I saw that. What grades did you get in those classes. If they see you got all As in those classes and Cs in stupid classes they may be more likely to see you as an intelligent person who gets bored.</p>

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<p>Currently have an A in English 3 and a B in AP US History (Will likely end with A though). Made a B in Honors Trig and Algebra II and an A in Honors English 2 and Honors World Studies and Honors Geography. Also made a B in Art I.</p>

<p>I don’t see how I would get into OSU and not Michigan. OSU and Michigan are both state schools with comparable admissions processes and comparable programs.</p>

<p>Also, my sister had a similar GPA and a 26 on the ACT and she is currently a junior at Vanderbilt majoring in Biology and nearly full scholarship.</p>

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<p>I received an Outstanding Statesperson Award for my involvement in the Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government Conference 2009 and I also advanced to the state competition of the National History Day program.</p>

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<p>well michigan, albeit is an state school, it is still competitive for admission. </p>

<p>osu being the largest university in the country is not as selective</p>

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<p>Sorry, I think Stanford, Vandy, and Duke are out of your reach. Michigan is a reach. OSU seems within your grasp.</p>

<p>And as someone else said, anyone can say what they have for a grade/test doesn’t reflect their intelligence. And don’t cop out by saying you don’t feel challanged or motivated, because schools that you listed only taking in kids who are self motivated.</p>

<p>Colleges don’t care about how many damn extra curriculars you have, with or without leadership positions, they don’t want “more than the eye can see”, they want people with dedication, passion, and involvment. Your GPA, SAT, and ACT as a whole seem low (GPA is a bit low, the other two are a bit more significant).</p>

<p>And don’t compare yourself to your sister in an effort to think you can get into Vandy, it only dishonors her, and yourself. Whatever she did, it was something outside of grades and tests, since their IQR for GPA and ACT are above yours.</p>