<p>I know that my chance at getting into a top college is slim, but I also really work hard for my grades and really want to get in somewhere I really like. My choices have been researched and I would love any feedback as to what I should do to improve my chances. In advance, thanks to all of those that reply. I'll chance back if I can. :)
I'll give you some background for my school. It is an underfunded public school with around 900 people (that is K-12). It has one AP course. It has some honors courses if you get lucky with your schedule. No one has went to an Ivy ever as far as I know, and the only one person in the last 20 years that I have heard of has went to a prestigious institute (Vanderbilt - on a football scholarship). So, my chances already look pretty crappy, but I am not giving up. =)
I want to be a doctor, btw. </p>
<p>Academics:
SAT: N/A (taking in Oct. to see if I can get a good score.) It's not offered where I live (even in my county), so that's why I have not taken it yet - I know it's late :x If I do well, I will take the subject tests in November. No one here has heard of those, haha.)
ACT: 30 / 31 Superscored (My major downfall; I know it's super low, but hopefully my SAT will be higher. It's the highest for my school. The average is ~19.)
GPA Weighted: ~4.4
GPA Unweighted: 4.0 (this sounds great, but it's not particularly amazing considering the difficulty of classes here)
Rank: 1/~60 -- Valedictorian, if we had such a thing, haha. ;)</p>
<p>AP Classes and exam scores (Remember: We only have ONE):
APUSH: 5 (the one AP class we have; I got the first five ever in fifteen years, so this is actually like amazing for my school)
AP Eng. Lang: 4 (online/self-study)
College Classes:
CH 104: A
EN 200: A+
(I took these with a program I will discuss below.)</p>
<p>Senior Year Courses:
AP Psyc: Online/self-study
AP U.S Gov: Online/Self Study
H English 12
H Forensics (strange that we have this)
H Economics
Calculus (idk if AP or Community college yet)
Band (major part of me)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars
- BAND. It's core to my life. 7 years of it, actually. I am drum major (leader of the band) and have been section leader (1st chair) for 6 years. I am possibly going to all-state, but that will be after college apps. I do a TON of things with the band and it takes a huge commitment. I am so passionate about band and I could write about it for hours. We have won various awards/competitions recently.
- Youth Symphony Orchestra: I meet once or twice a week and practice, and we have shows throughout the year. 2 years
- Honor Bands: I have attended many University Honor Bands where I played with people from around the area and learned challenging music. Also got 2nd chair in county honor band and 3rd in a university one.
- Student Council: Something I've been in for 4 years that does various things throughout the year.
- Red Cross Club: I founded this last year and we are officially affiliated with the Red Cross. I am President; we do volunteer/fundraising events for my local community as well as for disasters, like tornadoes. 2 years; A lot of passion here as well.
- Chamber of Commerce: Basically, we went around the community and learned about various things. Must be selected. 1 year (maximum)
- Scholar's Bowl: 5 years. We won county twice, and I love it.
- National Honor Society: 4 years. We go community service and must maintain an 85 or above and have a certain number of community service hours to stay.
- University of Alabama Rural Health Scholar's Program: A 5 week summer program you must be accepted to where you take two college classes (CH 104, EN 200) and attend medical-related seminars. Approx. 25 get accepted, and I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed myself and learned a ton.
- Shadowing: I am shadowing doctor(s) this summer at a hospital. Approx. 20 hours</p>
<p>Volunteer Work:
April 2011 tornado outbreak 25 hours (this devastated my area)
Food Shelter 40 hours
Wounded Warriors 20 hours
Red Cross 40+ hours
Hospital volunteer 20 hours (not shadowing)
Various other work: 30 hours </p>
<p>Awards:
Presidential Academic Achievement Award 9th/10th/ 11th grade
Perfect Attendance 9th/10th/11th grade
Highest GPA 9th/10th/11th grade
Biotech 101 Award
Outstanding Performance at Smokey Mountain Music Festival solo
Acceptance & Participation in University of Alabama Rural Health Scholars Program
Highest average in:
Algebra I
Adv. U.S History 10, AP U.S History 11
Adv. English 10, AP English (ACCESS)
H Anatomy & Physiology</p>
<p>Schools I'm applying to:
Johns Hopkins
UPenn
UAB (college in my state that has a med school - safety)
Vanderbilt
Duke (ED maybe)
UNC (I've heard good things, anyone know how good the premed is here?)
Also, suggest colleges that you think I could fit in well.</p>
<p>Demographics:
Gender: Male
State: Alabama
Ethnicity: White
Income: Around 100k
School Type: Rural, small
Hooks: I am the first in my family to go to college, so first-generation student here. My real father is in prison, does that count, haha? I've come a long way...</p>
<p>Again, I know my chances are most likely slim to none. Ask me any questions. I just want to know if anyone thinks it is possible. I really appreciate it. =)</p>