Okay sooooo, I am applying to 11 schools: NYU, Northwestern, Georgetown, Dartmouth, Columbia, Barnard, Brown, Cornell, UPenn, UChicago, American and I want to know if I have a chance of at least getting into a few.
So here we go:
I have a 5.3 weighted GPA (out of a 5.6) and am top 3% of my class of over 800 students, unweighted 3.82, all IB/AP courses (8 APs and 7 IB courses so far) and all perfect scores on my exams except for one (seven 5s and one 7 in an IB course) (4 in AP lang because I was sick the day of).
I have a state position within a Youth Government program and am an executive member at a state level (the program has about 700 people total). I am also literary editor of a Literary magazine, published four times and won a national award from the CSPA (Columbia Scholastic Press association) this year for one of my pieces. On a lower level, I am on the board for Rho Kappa (but I really love it lol).
I’m a first generation Latina, both parents are immigrants and one was educated within the United States.
Here’s where things go downhill. My highest SAT score is 1370. I’m retaking it this Saturday but I don’t feel very confident that my score will improve by that much. I just wanted to know what my prospects for college might be/any advice, because while I know SAT scores matter I don’t know if it’s that bad that I won’t get in anywhere. Anything helps, thank youuuu
Most of these schools are reaches for everyone, let alone if your SAT score ends up being below the 25th percentile. Barnard and American are more likely than the others. How were your SAT II tests? What are your safety schools?
I got an 800 in spanish and a 730 in English literature, I’m taking my third subject test in January for Georgetown but I’m not sure if I should take it
You need that third test for Georgetown if you want to keep it on your list.
Safety schools?
University of Florida, Florida State University
There is no January test date for SAT subject tests. Good luck on Saturday - maybe you’ll come away with a higher score in at least one section, for a better superscore.
Consider switching out some of those reaches on your list for more matches.
" I don’t know if it’s that bad that I won’t get in anywhere." There are some students on this site who have struggled, tried to achieve but have had a difficult time doing well. These students are likely to feel pretty badly if they read your post. Was this intended as a humble-boast or do you have genuine concerns that you won’t get in any where? If you really don’t think you’ll get in anywhere or if that was a serious question on your part then I would worry about your perspective rather than the SAT score. If you are seriously worried that you won’t get into any schools then add some to your list that you know you will easily get into. Problem solved!
I’m sorry if I let anyone feel belittled in any way, I did not mean to come off braggy at all. I have always struggled with the fear and worry that I am not good enough in the environment that I am in, my dream has always been to study out of state in an environment that I am not used to, in a challenging school where I feel like I can grow. There are plenty of schools that offer the same experience that are easier to get into, but I also have a big fear of regretting not applying to schools on the off-chance I would be accepted. Again, I never wanted to come off as braggy and maybe I should look at more ‘good-fits’ than reaches, so thank you for your advice!
I absolutely think you stand a chance of getting in to some of those schools. You have some strong credentials.
That being said, it concerns me that you wrote that you are applying to 11 schools if you are in fact also applying to University of Florida and Florida State University. You should count them among the schools you have applied to/will apply to if they are on your list! It is important to have matches and safeties about which you are reasonably happy.
Latest numbers I was able to find on your schools:
Columbia 5.51%
Brown 8.6%
Dartmouth 8.7%
Penn 8.39%
Cornell 10.3%
University of Chicago 7.2%
Northwestern 8.4% (say what?!?)
Barnard 13.7%
Georgetown 14.5%
NYU 28%
American 29%
University of Florida 42%
Florida State 49%
Thank you so much! I didn’t include them because I already applied to them, I should probably clarify that these are all schools I will try to apply to but am too nervous to actually submit the app, which is why I came here to see if anyone had any advice on these schools before I submit anything. Thank you again for taking the time to look at the data and giving advice!
You might Consider Miami University (OH). Dig into their website. They are one of 8 “Original Public Ivies”, and have great stats for preparing students for med school and prodice a high % of CEOs. Plus, the campus is beautiful. I think Miami (OH) would be a match for your scores.
Are you in-state for U.Florida?
IMHO it is a very good choice. Your stats look to be above average there which if you are in-state should make it highly likely. If you have this good of a school as a backup, to me this takes a lot of pressure off for your other applications.
Good luck!
UF is a good match as they may even offer you Honors (important for would be pre-meds because honors students tend to do better in their honors classes than in regular classes that use multiple choice tests to weedout.)
Do you know your EFC? Have you run the NPC on all of these colleges?
An issue is selectivity- no matter how strong your application, for schools that admit less than 20% students, there’s a huge impredictility function. If you really want to get out of Florida, you need to find about 4-5 affordable schools.
Before you apply, read up on these schools: Brown and Dartmouth are polar opposites, as are UChicago and Penn.
In addition, if you want an elite school, why not Amherst, Carleton, Pomona, Colby?
Read up on all these schools in the Fiske guide + insider’s guide+ Princeton review’s best colleges.
You do need a few more matches, too - look into Emory’s Oxford, Bates, St Lawrence, Dickinson, St Olaf. Show interest right away by filling out the Request info form.