<p>I am applying early to Yale, so I should submit my application very soon. I will apply to other universities too.</p>
<p>African American Female
GPA: 3.8 uw, 4.1 w
SAT: 740 m, 700 w, 650 cr (2090), will retake this Saturday
SAT II: 610 chemistry (took honors chemistry at that time), 680 Math IIC, 630 US History, will retake them this Nov.
AP: US History (4), Psych (4), Bio (5)
RANK: 3rd decile, very very competitive school
Senior courses: AP chemisty, AP Euro History, AP literature, AP Calc AB, Art II </p>
<p>Work Experience
Volunteered at the clinic (10, 11)
Research at university (12)</p>
<p>Volunteering
Habitat for Humanity for two years
Feeding and helping people without homes in the city for two years
Tutored for two years
Actively involved in an outreach community program for two years </p>
<p>School-sponsored activities
National Honor Society (12)
Science Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
Math Counts (9, 10, 11)
Basketball (9, 10)
Honor Rolls for three straight years</p>
<p>Good recommendations and medicore essays</p>
<p>Yale (EA)
Duke
Harvard
Dartmouth
University of Pennsylvania (in-state)
Penn State (in-state)</p>
<p>I think that you are af-am will help a lot in your case.
your GPA/rank is low, but your school profile might offset it. And of your many activities, are you captain/president?</p>
<p>with mediocre essays, you will not get in any of those top schools(Penn State is prob an exception). They have to at least be good, preferably excellent. Why submit a part of the application which you have control of that isn't your best work?</p>
<p>I think you'll get into at least one Ivy. I'm guessing Dartmouth.</p>
<p>Are you only applying to Ivies and Penn State? What if you don't get into an Ivy? Are you going to settle for your state school? You need matches.</p>
<p>cb434, anything is possible and urm will certainly work in your favor, but you have to look at ivies as a long shot considering your good but not great grades/scores. You also need more apps. comprising mostly matches and safeties. One more reach you might add is my son's school, Swarthmore, w/ is also in state for you. Some other possible apps: UNC, Emory, UVA, NYU, Haverford and similar depending on how their strengths match your interests. Good luck!</p>
<p>You need 700+ SATII scores for Ivy Leagues. Your SAT I could use another 150 points. 4.1 will not get you into Yale or Upenn. Your research, if good, can help you but you need to elaborate.</p>