Hello college confidential world,
I am a rising junior at a prestigious private school in Washington D.C. area. My Freshman year was REALLY rough. I just wasn’t focused and didn’t recognise how important high school is. I ended freshman with a 3.4 weighed (took 2 honors classes.) This year I was a lot more studious and ended with a 3.75 cumulative. I took 1 AP and 2 honors this year. I just received my AP scores and I got a 3. I am HEAVILY involved in extra-curricular activities. I have started a company and a blog. I am also very involved in charity. Next year I am taking 4 AP’s and 2 honors.
I have very ambitious college goals. I am interested in Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford, North Carolina, UVA, Princeton, USC, and Georgia. I know what your thinking… Stanford and Princeton are long shots, but I like to dream big. I just want to get your opinion on what I could do to improve my chances.
Thanks
Get great test scores and better grades. Learn that “you are” contracts to “you’re”.
Talk to your very experienced guidance counselors to see where similar students have attended.
You need to have stellar SAT’s and really get your GPA up, and even then most of the schools on your list are super reaches. Besides working hard to get those grades up, be realistic about your goals and get a new college list that is much more balanced and reasonable. There are lots of good options out there that will be a better match. As important as your extracurriculars are, make sure you leave time for school work and sleep. Good luck!!
First of all, what is your SAT/ACT? Second, I understand wanting privacy, but it’s hard for us to determine what being “heavily involved” in extracurricular activities looks like. Starting a company/blog could mean many things. What about awards? Hopefully you’ll be able to convey the depth of your involvement and accomplishments to colleges.
While next year’s schedule looks pretty vigorous, keep in mind there are plenty of applicants who’ve been taking 6 and 7 honors/AP courses a year since 9th grade, and you have not. Performing well in rigorous classes can even be more important than a GPA, which is relative and often non-comparable between schools. If, however, your school offers limited advanced courses and you are challenging yourself as much as you can, it’s a different situation.
With an incomplete profile, it’s hard to chance you accurately. But it seems to me you could be a qualified applicant at each of the schools you listed above.
Without test scores and based on GPA the only school you have a real shot at is Georgia. That is a great school though so keep working hard.