<p>High school junior. No real ECs to put down. 85 weighted average at the beginning of this year (though, on the other hand, I'd taken no APs yet, and my freshman year was downright terrible). Will have taken 7/8 of 12 AP courses my school offers by the time I graduate. My last PSAT score was a 193, but, as my ability with mathematics has increased drastically since then, I should be able to get around a 2200 on my SAT in May. Fantastic with writing essays. All around fairly knowledgeable, but unsure of how far that should get me. I'm from New York.</p>
<p>What am I looking at here, in terms of where I could apply to and feasibly be accepted?</p>
<p>What are you wanting to major in? How far from home do you want to go? Many wonderful universities are not as highly selective as say an Ivy League. Those are not going to be feasible but narrow your list down a bit and give us more specifics.</p>
<p>When you have your SAT scores and your junior year grades, as well as an idea as to what your family budget is for college for you, we can come up with some schools. Right now, it’s way up in the air.</p>
<p>Though I’m unsure as to what exactly I’m going to major in, I’ve limited it down to a few things which I have some sort of interest in. Poli sci, international relations, or English literature in the humanities seem possible, with a chance of eventually attempting to transfer to law school. In the natural sciences, which has been a more recently acquired interest for me, Chemistry or Physics seem likely options.</p>
<p>My grades are definitely improving on the whole. I’m expecting to go to university mostly on loans, given that I come from a very low income, single parent family, and my mother doesn’t seem to have many years of work ahead of her at 53 and with declining health.</p>
<p>Bump… does having no ECs/3.0 GPA count most good universities out? Say… Syracuse? Ack.</p>
<p>Update: took the SAT for the first time this month, and just received the results. Very stressed out over it. Feeling a bit like an idiot… I haven’t improved my score at all from my most recent PSAT. 640/630/660, or 1930. </p>
<p>I’m very, very disappointed with both of the English scores. On the writing section, scored a 70/80 on the MC, but only a 7/12 on the essay. I see why my score on the essay was so low - I was mentally blanking out at the time on things to write about, and ended up writing a very bad essay. (Writing is usually one of my strong points…)</p>
<p>The critical reading score just shocks me. I recall feeling as though I could have scored in the high 700s after taking it. </p>
<p>How are my chances looking? Where can I apply? I’ve been researching SUNY Stony Brook as of late (disappointingly close, but a good college for what I’d like to do) and I’m unsure of my chances there. What kind of schools should I be looking into?</p>
<p>Eh, I also felt like I did better on CR than what my actual score was (650). Honestly, you can retake, you can certainly improve a lot. I think writing’s the easiest section to improve in. I got 8 on the practice essay, but 11 on the actual thing after following this guide:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/645763-how-write-12-essay-just-10-days.html</a>
My actual score ended up being 720 (69/80) thanks to that. Don’t get so discouraged anyway, the SAT writing measures your ability to write a long essay with impressive words within the time limit. Real writing takes more than 25 minutes.
As for math, just do a bunch of practice tests. I’ve heard lots of people say Dr. Chung’s is the best once you reach 650+ on practice tests, and you’re pretty close, so I’d say you should try it.</p>
<p>If you increase your score to 2100 or so, you’d probably be able to get into schools with decent need-based aid or even get a nice merit scholarship.</p>
<p>I’m planning on registering to take the October SAT as soon as possible. An increase to 2100 is doable, I think.</p>
<p>At this very moment though, what am I looking at? Where would I have a very good, decent, or slight chance at, if now were the time to apply?</p>
<p>There are lots of great schools, you’re above average with your SAT score (it doesn’t feel that way from the 2350s on CC but the true average is a 1500). The lack of ECs is a little troubling, but it isn’t too late! Get involved in something, it’ll boost your application by leaps and bounds even though you haven’t done that activity since you were 4 years old. I’d try the state systems, your shot at most SUNY schools is pretty good. If you’re willing to go out of state, some of the mid range LACs might be a good fit for you. What about somewhere like St. Lawrence or Lewis and Clark? No matter what happens, I promise you’ll love where you end up going. Make sure to apply to some safeties. Happy hunting!</p>
<p>Alright, updating this again.</p>
<p>My GPA is, as predicted, around a 3.0. My SAT is 1930, but I’m planning to retake in October. Do I have any shot at getting into say, Stony Brook, or Fordham? What can I do between now and application time to better my chances?</p>
<p>Bump… on top of those questions, what types of universities should I be looking at as reaches, safeties, matches?</p>