SAT: 2350 single sitting
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.75 weighted (top 2 percent out of a class of 500)
SAT Bio: 780 Latin: 780
Took/will take AP US History, AP Stats, AP Chemistry, and AP Psychology this year; will take AP Language and Composition, AP BC Calculus, AP Latin, AP Euro next year.
Extracurriculars
Writing (which is the closest thing I have to a hook)
Writing published in 15+ literary magazines
Won a Scholastic Gold Medal and Silver Key for writing
Semifinalist in a statewide poetry competition
Read my poetry on a radio show which airs on multiple stations across the nation
Poetry Reader/Editor for three national literary magazines
Officer for my school’s literary magazine
Latin
Perfect paper on National Latin Exam two years in a row
Gold Medal on National Etymology Exam
President of Classics Club
I led my team to Certamen (Latin Quiz Bowl) semifinals at Yale
Volunteering
200+ hours Math and English tutor
Worked as a Museum docent
Volunteered at a special education school
Chance me for Princeton, Brown, Yale, UChicago, Wellesley, UCLA, UC Berkeley?
I think you have a pretty decent shot! Classics has been such a rare major (I want to major in it too :)) and a lot of schools are looking for students to take their classes. However, Brown, UChicago, and Berkeley are all probably in the top 5 schools for classics departments so I don’t know how good your shot is there. If you’re going to nationals for JCL this year, study for some tests since that would be a good way to keep boosting your ECs. Consider applying to UVA and Tufts too. My classics teachers tell me they have amazing departments there, and they’re not super hard to get into. Go my little Latin nerd go!
Your scores are good. How prestigious are the literary publications?
@RyanSeacrestType think ~5 percent acceptance rate
Your stats and ECs look great! I’m a fellow writer as well you have great chances for all of these schools. I would recommend checking out UPenn - we have the Kelly Writers House (look into recruitment) and amazing resources for writers.
Obviously you have the scores, grades, and stats that are perfect for these schools. I agree with the first commenter that unfortunately a few of those schools are the most competitive for classics; luckily, you will make an impact in the pool. Your ECs are good especially if you plan on continuing Latin in college. I would say that if you have good essays and recs you have a great shot at these colleges. However, ivies are still like a lottery. Wellesley I would say is closer to match than reach, as well as UCLA. Berkeley probably a low reach compared to those big ivies. If i had to rank i would rank them Wellesley, UCLA, UC Berkeley Wellesley, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Brown/UChicago, Yale/Princeton. Best of luck: you’ll do great.