<p>So I'm a junior and I was wondering where I should apply/if I'm on track for top schools/Ivies.</p>
<p>Well, here it goes:</p>
<p>The Numbers:</p>
<p>SAT: 2250 (800M, 740CR, 710W) (retaking on 3/12)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Chemistry; planning on Physics and US History
PSAT: 231 (80CR, 76M, 75W)
ACT: 35 (36M, 36CR, 36W, 33S)
AP tests: BC, Chemistry, AP Euro, all 5s. Planning on taking Micro/Macro, APUSH, AP Lang, Phyics B this year
GPA: 4.0UW, 4.313W (as of first semester of this year)
Rank: 1/~320</p>
<p>Math (principle interest):
Qualified to AIME last year (hopefully this year <em>knocks on wood</em>)
Highest AMC 10B score in the state last year (obviously can't get this again)
ARML team for my state (won't say which one) for 2 years (hopefully two more)
Random local stuff
Taking Linear Algebra right now, more college math to come
Did some basic spreadsheet work for a paper in a journal and was recognized</p>
<p>Debate/Forensics (principle activity)
Double Octofinalist in Public Forum at NCFL in Omaha
Qualified to state debate tournament x3
Octofinalist in USX at NFL in Kansas City
Semifinalist in Supplemental Debate at NFL in Kansas City
Reigning state champion in Student Congress
Top 32 IPPF Bickel & Brewer Challenge (part of a team)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars/Leadership
Forensics (secretary)
Interact (president)
Math Club (officer)
Mu Alpha Theta
Spanish Honor Society
National Honor Society
Student Council
Sporadic volunteering at a local rehab center</p>
<p>So any advice? Ideas? College recommendations? I'm kinda lost....</p>
<p>Those are incredible qualifications. If you really are trying to get to the top Ivies, though, you might want to try to get somewhere in the 2300s, and I guess some more extramural (is that a word) extracurriculars. But you definitely look on track. The higher the GPA the better.</p>
<p>Thanks! Yeah I get what you mean about the extracurriculars… mine are rather ‘vanilla’. I’m looking to do some research this summer, so I hope that helps me out.</p>
<p>You are extremely qualified for many of our nation’s top colleges. I would definitely consider the ivies, or the near ivies, such as UChicago, Northwestern, UMichigan, Johns Hopkins, Duke, etc.</p>
<p>The only thing I can see you do more is more extracurriculars outside of school would help, such as volunteering and that research you’re thinking of doing. Besides getting your SAT score above 2300 (which would barely help, it’s great where it is), you’re fine.</p>
<p>just wondering, where do you go to school? cus i also live in omaha haha and what research are you interested in? cus i am also interested in some research this summer. maybe we’ll meet up!</p>
<p>Oh I don’t live in Omaha. The city hosted the National Catholic Forensics League Grand National Tournament in May 2010, which I attended. I’m applying to a few research programs, but if everyone rejects me (a distinct possibility lol), I’ll probably just do something local.</p>
<p>SAT score is just a tad low, but your ACT score makes it negligible. You have a really good shot at most elite colleges. If you wrote knock-out essays, it would probably seal you in at several great schools.</p>
<p>If you can’t get into any research programs, you can find small labs (3 or lower) that would gladly take you. I know that Obama is giving grant money for some labs to hire high school students, it’s a win/win.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about the SAT score. I know a teacher who used to do admissions for UW and he said that most universities use a point based system (even though many say they don’t) and SAT’s take up something like 10/100, and a 2250 should be around a 9/10, so getting a few more points isn’t really that big of a deal.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in sciences and math you’re chances for MIT and Caltech seem pretty good from what I can tell (not exactly too knowledgable on chancing though).</p>
<p>Not really good at college chancing but I’ll try :o </p>
<p>From everything on your resume you seem like a very strong candidate. Seeing as you seem to have great interest in mathematics I think your chances would be best at a school with focus on science, like MIT.</p>
<p>I’ve noticed though, that sometimes it’s just pure luck where you get in when it comes to super selective schools; Like I know about people getting into a school with a 14% acceptance rate but then be rejected at a school with a 27% acceptance rate.</p>
<p>If you don’t get in for whatever reason, I think that trying to transfer in your second year can really help. I know a girl that went to a rather remote school and decided after a semester there that she didn’t like it. She finished her year there and then applied for about six schools for a transfer. They were all Ivies and she got into all of them.</p>
<p>I think you have a pretty good shot at most of the top schools. Your stats are quite impressive and you have some decent EC’s. Good luck, you will get far my fellow nebraskan.</p>
<p>Honestly you have a very impressive resume. Both the ACT and SAT scores are phenomenal. Keep doing those extra curriculars. You should definitely aim for the Ivy’s.</p>