I’m in my Junior year of high school currently and this last quarter I didn’t do so well in Chemistry, I got a C. Overall for the first semester of my Junior year I’ve gotten a B- and a C in Honors Chemistry, a B in AP United States History, a B- in Pre-Calculus, an A in Honors English, an A in Honors Spanish, and A’s in all of my elective courses. I did not take any study halls this semester. My freshmen year I did better getting high B’s and A’s in all of my classes except for Geometry which was a low B (as you can see I’m not good in classes that involve math). My Sophomore year I stepped it up, taking more Honors classes and getting higher grades. My school only offers AP United States History as an AP class for Juniors. I’m in an honors society and involved in many other things including sports all year round. I’m taking my SATs in May and I’ve gotten all above 50’s on my PSAT’s and a perfect writing score. I want to go to school for English and Creative Writing. My top two dream schools are Boston University and New York University. Can I still get in?
It would be better if you supplied us with your current weighted and unweighted GPA. Also, what was your PSAT score? (To calculate a possible SAT score, just add a 0 in front of your PSAT score. ex: PSAT 183 = SAT 1830.)
Extracurriculars?
Here are the average GPA/SAT stats for recently admitted freshmen at BU and NYU. Please be aware these are competitive colleges.
Boston University:
Acceptance rate: 34% (2014)
GPA: 3.59
SAT: ~1930
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=146
New York University:
Acceptance rate: 34% (2014)
GPA: 3.71
SAT: ~2020
http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg01_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=436
Thank you for the reply! I am aware they are both very competitive hence why I am nervous as to whether I can still get in. My unweighted GPA this year is a 3.3 with all of my classes. Across all years so far it’s a 3.6. My weighted GPA this year is a 3.8 and across all years so far it is a 4.0. My PSAT score is a 1600 without preparation. I’m taking my SATs three times before applying to any colleges and I will be preparing for them in order to get higher scores. As for extracurriculars I play three varsity sports, one each season. I am in an extracurricular choir, Music Honors Society, the school musical which runs for four months about 10 hours per week, Student Council, School Newspaper, school dance committee, I volunteer with my school’s kindergarten, I’m involved in food drives, school festivals, and I am waiting to be a part of my school’s big brother big sister program and I’m starting peer tutoring.
You have excellent extracurriculars! However, it would be wise for you to have passion in a specific one and go on from there.
As for your GPA, a 3.3 currently is not good for these schools. An overall 3.6 is OK, but please remember Junior year is undoubtedly the most important year of high school. Remember, colleges want to see your grades throughout high school going on an upward trend. Try to improve it by the end of the year. Also, if you can, take more AP classes next year. If I understood you correctly. you’re only taking APUSH?
Do you have a possible major or field you’re interested in studying? From there, I can help you more 
For SAT studying, get the CollegeBoard’s Blue Book first, unless you have it already. To study, I’m currently using The Blue book, Barron’s 26th, Princeton’s 11 practice tests, and Kaplan. I’m also taking it in May.
Have you started studying for SATs?
Overall, I would say you have a high chance of getting in if you improve your GPA by a few more points, and aim for around a 1900+ on the SAT. You have more than enough time to study; 4 months is appropriate. Your ECs are superb, but remember, colleges would rather see an applicant with passion towards a few ECs rather than a bunch of ECs jumbled up together.
Good luck!
Thank you! I am trying my hardest to continue the upward trend that I had from my freshmen year into my Sophomore year but Junior year has been the most difficult for me. It’s my goal for this year to reach a higher GPA. My school only offers APUSH for Juniors. I want to major in English and minor in Creative Writing. I am beginning to study for SATS.
Don’t study for the SAT if you aren’t taking it by March of 2016. I’d suggest self studying for some APs, would look great if your school doesn’t offer many. Probably AP lit. The GPA is a little low and the writing score isn’t considered in many colleges which is unfortunate for you. Personally if you’re taking the old SAT, get up the math score with a prep book. I recommend Dr. Chungs for math. With your ECs, I’d rack up the volunteer hours and enter some choir competitions to show your skill. If you do that, I think you have a solid chance at NYU and Boston. Good luck.
If you can raise your overall GPA and show improvement by the end of your junior year coupled with high SAT scores, I would imagine that your chances would increase. You are clearly a great, well-rounded student, but at some point colleges will look at quantative statistics to gauge your chances as an applicant. You probably have a better chance at BU than at NYU because they have such a strong creative writing program. Just try your hardest and wait until the end of your junior year, when you have some idea of your test scores and junior year GPA, to get a clearer picture. Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good senior year- a strong first semester (or first two quarters or trimester, depending on your school) can put you over the edge. I have some friends who chose to take less challenging classes their senior year and have gotten rejected from schools they may not have been rejected from otherwise. Good luck!! You’ll do great wherever you go!
@SouthBear: Juniors can’t take the New SAT. By then applications to colleges will be done. She needs to start studying now.
Instead of planning to take the SAT three times, I recommend taking it twice and trying the ACT at least once. If your test results are poor, do not expend too much energy on too many test seatings. Will finances be a concern for you? If not, you might well qualify for BU’s transitional college (CLS?). I would not rule out the general liberal arts colleges at either university, although they are probably reaches right now. You should certainly explore some less-selective and test-optional colleges. Your grades aren’t necessarily inadequate for those colleges. Does your high school have a Naviance site, where you can compare your stats against others who have applied to BU and NYU? Remember, also, that they usually don’t break down acceptance rates by divisions - some schools (e.g. Stern at NYU, et al) are much more selective than others. The colleges of Arts & Sciences are not as competitive.
@FutureDoctor2028 Yeah, sorry misread. Woogzmama is right, try the ACT once. I know a couple people who were completely lopsided on one or the other. Personally, I’d suggest the SAT as you seem to have had success on the PSAT already. You can head over to other college confidential forums, but I’d personally recommend direct hits for reading and, as I said before, Dr.Chungs for math with the Blue Book as your holy practice test resource. Once again, good luck.