Any advice where to apply?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>So I'm currently a high school senior at a normal public school. I was just wondering where other people thought I'd have a shot at being accepted to with the credentials listed below?</p>

<p>GPA: 3.4-3.5 (unweighted)</p>

<p>SAT: 2230 (1440 CR/Math)</p>

<p>Subject Tests (Lit, Math II, Chemistry): 760, 780, 710 (respectively)</p>

<p>By the end of this year, I'll have taken 10 AP's throughout high school -- AP Lit/Comp, Spanish, Chemistry, Music Theory, Physics B (or 2... is that what it's called now?), Physics C, Calc AB, Gov, Computer Science A, APUSH. I've, so far, gotten 4s and 5s on Music Theory, Chemistry, Physics B, and APUSH. </p>

<p>EC: Volunteer at two local hospitals and a library (weekly basis); work as private tutor (weekly basis); FBLA; JV team for Scholastic Scrimmage; NHS; Pit Orchestra for school musicals (past 3 years); local orchestra (past 7 years); school's chamber orchestra groups - principal chair (past four years); District, Regional, State Orchestra (state music educators' program); International Justice Mission; Historian for Habitat for Humanity, American Computer Science League</p>

<p>Awards/achievements/etc: Placed 2nd place in cyber security for FBLA; 3rd place for National History Day (state level); Commended Student (National Merit Scholarship Program); AP Scholar; NHS; National Spanish Honor Society</p>

<p>Recommendations: I didn't actually read them, but I asked my physics teacher, who I've had for the third year in a row, as well as my government teacher, who I've had for the second year in a row. Both teachers seem to like me -- they have described me as "creative" and "ambitious" to other teachers. I don't think I have bad recommendation letters.</p>

<p>I realize my GPA is... low. I didn't actually know how to study until my junior year, really... My SAT Subject Tests are a little low as well. And my "awards/achievements" are basically the most generic ones that exist out there. So I was just wondering... where would I be "expected" to get into? Are places like Carnegie or Hopkins way too far of a stretch? What about Lehigh? NYU? Northeastern? </p>

<p>For reference: I've received an acceptance letter to the one school I've applied to so far... the 6-year Pharm.D program at the University of Pittsburgh. </p>

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<p>CMU and Hopkins are reaches for you, but if you aren’t applying to the ultra-selective computer science or engineering departments,they aren’t impossible. Your scores are certainly competitive, and your weighted GPA is probably quite respectable. You have a very solid acceptance in hand already, so there’s no harm in reaching high. The other three colleges are definitely within reach, if by no means certain, for you. </p>

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<p>I would say you certainly have a nice shot at NYU and Northeastern; your scores are good, your coursework is rigorous, and you’ve also shown significant dedication to your fields of interest, with long-term EC’s and what not. And since you presumably have a strong upward trend, I think there might be some leeway re: GPA. </p>

<p>Carnegie and John’s Hopkins are reaches, as they are for almost everyone, but I would say you should definitely still apply. ED would help your chances, though I believe it’s a bit late. The best thing to do is just work hard on your essays and show your passion- you never know. </p>

<p>You may also want to look at schools that don’t see or at least don’t heavily weight freshman grades. I think the UC’s belong to this category, possibly University of Michigan as well. It might be worth looking into. There are quite a few CC threads on the matter. </p>

<p>Good luck, and congrats on the acceptance :slight_smile: </p>