Anxious and nervous Asian. UVA, Johns Hopkins, etc?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Stats:
Female, Asian
Family Income: ~$30,000

SAT: 1730

GPA: 3.7 UW, 4.2 W

Classes:

Freshman:
Biology 1 HN
French 2
Computer Science
World History 1 HN
English 9 HN
Algebra 2 HN

Sophomore:
Chem 1 HN
French 3
Precalc HN
AP World History
English 10 HN
STEM Engineering

Junior:
AP Biology
AP Calculus BC
AP Stat
AP Physics 1
English 11 HN
US/VA History HN
Personal Fitness

Senior:
Multivariable Calculus
AP Gov
English 12 HN
Anatomy
Personal Fitness 2
Personal Finance
AP Seminar

EC’s:
Math Honor Society (10, 11, 12)
French Honor Society (10, 11, 12)
Work at a retirement home all year round, started October 2014 (20 hours/week)
Work at a nanotechnology research lab all year round, started June 2014 (10 hours/week during school, 40 hours/week during summer)
Science fair (11, 12)
Precalculus and algebra II tutoring (10, 11, 12)
Track (9, 10)
Field hockey (9, 10)

Awards: 1st place at 2015 regional science fair, 1st place prize of $150 from MIT Club of DC and 1st place medal from USPHS from regional fair (organizational awards), VA state science fair participant, co-author on a journal article about nanotechnology, honor roll every semester since freshman year, invited to talk about my research for the DTRA, varsity letter award for track, coach’s award for field hockey, top underclassman for algebra I

Background: I am a lower class Asian. My mom attended a community college when she immigrated here. My dad didn’t attend college when he immigrated here. My mom passed away in 2007 and my dad was neglectful. My little sister and I were officially stated as homeless by Fairfax County because I live with my older sister and father isn’t willing to give up custody, even though I haven’t seen him in 5 years. Oldest sister went to UVA, other older sis went to William & Mary. I’m leaning towards a biomedical engineering major.

I’m thinking about applying to UVA, Duke, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, GMU, and Virginia Tech.

Do I have good chances even though my SAT score isn’t up to par?

2

Although your SAT score is well below par for these schools, maybe talk about your first generation college student, low income, and certain family circumstances. They’ll understand your situation. Nonetheless, I would suggest getting your SAT up to at least 2000 (maybe 1900) if you can. Again, emphasize your problems, they’ll understand.

3

What’s the breakdown of your SATs?

4

@michelle426
yeah, i’m planning to take the SAT again in senior year. I plan to actually study this time and get over 2000.

@BatesParents2019
Reading: 560/ Math: 660/ Writing: 510

5

Ok assuming the improvement is not substantial, you should focus on schools like Wake Forest that do not require tests scores.

Your GPA and course rigor are very good. Also, your demographic is tough so look for schools where the Asian population is low, like the New England and New York LACs, many are test optional, and the Catholic schools like Holy Cross, which is test optional. Wake Forest as I mentioned.

You also have great instate choices like VT.

6

Anyone?