Applying this year, wondering about chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>With applications coming out in the next few months, I really want to know if I have a decent shot at most of the colleges on my list. Be honest with me, I want to hear what you have to say.</p>

<p>White male, Urban school, Ohio, First-generation</p>

<p>Academics
UW GPA: 3.93 (B Freshman year in H. Bio)
W GPA: 4.52
Rank: 1/550</p>

<p>Tests
SAT: 690V 800M 690W 2180 Composite, retaking in October
ACT: 32
SAT IIs: June Predicted Scores: Chem: 780 Spanish: 720
SAT IIs: Yet to Take: Math 2 and USH (will score well on both, probably 800 M2)
APs: Spanish (probably 4, maybe 3)
Government (probably 5, maybe 4)
both APs were self-study</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars
Spanish Honorary 10-12
.....President 11
Junior Statesmen 11-12
.....Co-Founder
.....Vice President 11-12
Spanish Club 10-12
Speech and Debate 12
Math Honorary 11-12
Golf (not for school, but I spend a lot of time doing it)</p>

<p>Other
This summer I attended Buckeye Boys State...it's basically a government leadership program in Ohio. I was elected a State Senator by around 40 people. I might write an essay on this experience.</p>

<p>My school doesn't offer much opportunity in AP classes and things of that sort, there are a total of 5 offered, but really only 3 because not enough students sign up for the other two. I will have taken all but 3 honors and all AP classes my school offers by the end of my senior year.</p>

<p>I want to major in chemical engineering</p>

<p>Any feedback would be great, thank you for reading this</p>

<p>Also, any suggestions on schools would also be appreciated</p>

<p>Schools
MIT
Princeton
Stanford
Columbia
Northwestern
Washington University in St. Louis
Michigan
USC
Ohio State</p>

2

<p>i love how people with such a high GPA have such low standardized test scores. </p>

<p>grade inflation? maybe but the rank may eliminate that option. I guess some people work extremely hard and get alot of outside help but just arent that smart?</p>

3

<p>actually I don't work very hard at all. I also get absolutely no outside help whatsoever. 96th percentile SATs, 99th percentile ACTs...low scores, ok...I love how people study for months just so that they can get perfect standardized test scores and then claim that they are just naturally smart. I think there's a bridge somewhere from which you should be jumping.</p>

4

<p>yeah, those tests scores are not bad at all</p>

5

<p>i can honestly say that I dont study hard for standardized tests and do well cuz im passionate about those subjects.</p>

<p>Alas my GPA is not high.</p>

<p>Jyankees worked hard for his GPA and deserves it. As for the thread itself, you will have a much better chance if you get your scores up, which is actually not that hard.</p>

6

<p>yeah...dude...the scores really are not bad at all...
work a bit...bringing the v and w up 30-40 points is quite easy.
If you work a bit harder...they can be in the high 700s if not higher.
Don't listen to other people. They really aren't that bad.</p>

7

<p>since when is 690/800/690 low? CC, i swear...:(</p>

8

<p>^^^ seriously he got a 1490 Math and Verbal that's awesome, and 2180 including the writing is also awesome... i remember reading that only 3% of SAT test takers score above a 2100</p>

9

<p>and what percentage of the abovementioned SAT test takers apply to his schools? and then consider what percentage gets in?.
surprise..it's not enough to be above average.</p>

10

<p>Thanks Shazilla, for bringing some much needed perspecive to CC ;) And, to the poster above, top 3% is much higher than "above average"- I'm not saying a 2100+ is gonna get you into the "big H" (whoopee)...but it is a damn good score.</p>

11

<p>Okay, let's bring some perspective to this discussion.</p>

<p>Your AI is 230.5--meaning your grades/rank plus test scores will be right at the 88% to 90% level of those who apply to Ivy league schools. Since the Ivies admit about 8% to 22% of their applicants, this gives you a decent chance.</p>

<p>Unlike the other people on this site, I don't think the grades and test scores hurt you at all--in fact, they are your strong point. Your problem is the lack of lots of honor/AP/IB classes--but if your school doesn't offer them, make sure this is mentioned in all your applications. Additionally, your ECs show a good mix of activities and leadership, but not competitiveness or volunteer service.</p>

<p>Right now you should be looking for academic competitions, and doing volunteer work during the summer when you aren't getting ready for the SAT I retake. (In fact, I would argue the activities are, for you, much more important than the SAT retake). I would also be looking for ways to indicate your expertise in chemical engineering or other math/science knowledge; so maybe that's where you should try an academic competition.</p>

<p>Lastly, you are picking Princeton and Columbia as your Ivies (two of the top 5)--you might want to add Penn and Brown to your list (since they are easier for the engineering disciplines). The same applies to MIT--one of the two hardest engineering schools in the country (along with Caltech's) to get into. No problem with applying there--but you might want to consider other well known chemical engineering colleges, like UC Berkeley, Rose-Hulman, Wisconsin, or Georgia Tech. I actually like the list of schools you have, though--so keep in mind I'm just throwing out options here.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

12

<p>Unless there's something I'm missing, I'd say you're reaching for all the Ivies. But then I don't know how your stat as first gen plays into this, so I don't really know what I'm talking about. =P I usually say people are reaching for the Ivies.. so yeah, ignore me. =P</p>

<p>It's a match for USC, unless you tick the fin aid box.</p>

13

<p>Forgot to give chances. </p>

<p>My estimates:
MIT, Princeton, Stanford, & Columbia--reach (but these are reaches for almost everybody)
Northwestern--match to slight reach
Washington University in St. Louis, Michigan, and USC--match
Ohio State--safety</p>

<p>Also,
Penn, Brown, UC Berkeley (Out-of-state)--match to slight reach
Rose-Hulman--safe match
Wisconsin-match
Georgia Tech--match</p>

14

<p>Thanks everybody for your input...Calcruzer, I was actually considering adding UCB to my list of schools...are Penn and Brown good engineering, and you you think they would be good additions to my list? I might also be applying to Wisconsin, I visited it last time I was in Chicago, but I probably won't be applying to GA tech and I don't know too much about Rose-Hulman.</p>