<p>Hi there,</p>
<p>I don't know my GPA, but I generally get about 80% overall (as a very very vague average).
My grades vary in my subjects, and it's difficult to predict a proper mark because the HSC acts as the final grade for the last two years of study (and this gets converted to an ATAR which is a university acceptance number). I don't get my results until December so I guess I won't be able to indicate this until then. Considering I'm coming over the average in all my subjects I would say it's going solid in my opinion.</p>
<p>It's also alarming to see the high expectations of people in regards to the SAT. I thought my first marks of
Reading: 650
Maths: 480
Writing: 620
were pretty impressive for my first go, considering I'm still intensively studying and doing assessments (and hadn't studied at ALL). Also noting that maths is a weakness of mine and I nearly didn't elect to do it for the past two years but now do the most basic course.
Then I went another round and got similar marks
Reading: 620
Maths: 580
Writing: 640
but I was stoked with these and thought I'd done pretty well. </p>
<p>I also did the SAT subject tests and got
Biology: 600
Literature: 660
Spanish:460
and was jumping around my house for getting 660. For some reason my idea of achievement is much lower than 800.</p>
<p>Mainly my passion is service and community work, where I volunteer any time I can to community festivals (collecting donations for community centres), disaster relief fundraisers, soup kitchens, cancer council marathons and fundraisers, disabled children's schools and feminist activist groups. </p>
<p>I'm not interested in Ivy Leagues, so I'm hoping that my "low grades" won't leave me disappointed. I'm applying to 8 schools, listed in order of preference.
University of San Francisco
University of California: Berkeley (reach)
New School
NYU (reach)
CUNY: Lehman
CUNY: Baruch
University of Oregon
Brown (reach)</p>
<p>So, I've realised going through this whole process how important grades are, and how low mine seem to be. If it's the case that I don't get in because my grades don't reflect well that's fine, but it's disappointing as I'm told repeatedly that I'm unlucky with how testing works. Hopefully my essay will be able to convey where my strengths are and they will understand this. </p>
<p>Anyway, I'm generally feeling okay, since I can always go to Uni here (I'll be starting for a few weeks before acceptance letters come out)</p>
<p>If you know anything about the schools I go to, let me know about my chances!</p>