Chance A Regularish Guy?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey I'm just doing this for fun, I know this is a forum for the best and brightest kids, so it's not like anyone looks super special here. I'm just wondering what your opinions might be and if you might have any useful advice. I'm a 17 year old white kid, now a senior from Phoenix, 100k+ a year family income so not expecting much financial aid.</p>

<p>Courses: Well I'll start off with APs
Freshman year: Bio- 3 :\ didn't care much back then
Sophomore year: Euro- 3 ...boring teacher
Environmental Science- 4
Junior year- English Language- expecting 4 or 5
Spanish Language- expecting 2 or 3...
U.S. History- expecting a 5
Taking next year: Econ,Gov, Spanish Lit, English Lit, Calc BC</p>

<p>Other than that, I've taken a lot of honors classes. I've received 2 B-'s, one freshman and one sophomore year, one in Bio and one in Euro. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 unweighted, 4.2 weighted...I heard that some colleges throw out freshman grades...probably not the ones I'd apply to, but if that were true I'd have a 4.4 weighted </p>

<p>Standardized Tests:</p>

<p>SAT Reasoning- 2200 (720 reading, 680 math, 800 writing)
- Re-taking in September...I'm certain I can get math up to at least 720
ACT- 33 (35 English, 33 math, 36 reading, 29 science)
- Should get my June scores tomorrow, but I think I messed up science again.
SAT IIs- Took U.S. History, Spanish, and Lit. Expecting ~770, ~>650, ~700. Might take Bio E and Math 2 in October.
PSAT- 210...probably just below the cutoff of National Merit Semi-finalist in my state. I shouldn't even be near the cutoff, but Arizona is comprised primarily of retards ;).</p>

<p>Rank: I'm not sure my school does rank, but I'd guess within the top 10% or around there.</p>

<p>EC:
-I play JV Lacrosse (10, 11)...extremely competitive at my school
-...Got an MVP award sophomore year haha
-Certified Skin and SCUBA Diver
-Co-founder of the Short Stories Club, President
-President Young Democrats' Club
-Member of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur
-National Honor Society Exec. Board member
- I'm on District 7 Youth Council, which is basically an opportunity for kids to get together and have a voice to clean up neighborhoods and bring about some positive change in the district... I'll be running for youth mayor of my district in a few months.
-Member of Big Brothers, a club for upperclassmen to help incoming freshman find their way at my school and take advantage of our advice and experience
- I had a part time job (10-15 hrs/week) freshman-sophomore year as a file clerk at a law office</p>

<p>I think that's about all I can remember for now, that should be the general gist of it. </p>

<p>I think I'm set for recommendations... I've got good relationships with my two main recommending teachers, and they both give me insight and positive feedback, and they're pretty respected guys... one has a PhD in Government from Harvard, hopefully that will count for something since that's an area I'm interested in as well.</p>

<p>A rough list of colleges, which is by no means final or even realistic:</p>

<p>ASU Honors (safety)
USF (safety)
Carleton
UNC
Boston College
Georgetown
Washington U in St. Louis
Tufts
Williams
Amherst
UPenn
Princeton</p>

<p>I realize that these are essentially all reach schools, but that serves a purpose. The likelihood of getting into any of them is extremely small, so I'd like to spread out my chances a little bit to even have a shot at getting into a good school. I figure I might as well go big or go home. I'd rather not be 200k in debt for a simply decent undergrad education. I don't know of any schools that give realistically helpful scholarships to out-of-state students, especially ones with my scores. I really hope I don't end up at ASU Honors, but I guess it's all up to chance.</p>

<p>Any recommendations, insights, probabilities, possibilities,etc. ?</p>

2

<p>Disclaimer: I don't claim to be an idiot, I know it offends some people to say a regular kid gets those kinds of scores, but I'm really nothing out of the ordinary. I'm not a jerk and I'm not elitist... this isn't a list of things I've done for college, it just happens to be the stuff I've done over the past few years. That's why there aren't any things like "went to Africa to save malaria patients" or "wrote poem that was featured in the Top 100 Poems of Our Time." I'm just me, and I am what I am.</p>

3

<p>Geez, this is creepy. Me and you have really similar stats....so it's almost like chancing myself. </p>

<p>I'll say yes to ASU, USF, UNC, BC, (not super familiar with Carleton, but I think a yes too) </p>

<p>Then a maybe for Georgetown(I'm applying there too), WashU, and Tufts. </p>

<p>And then a very low maybe/ no to UPenn and Princeton......actually a pretty solid no to Princeton. Sorry :-(</p>

<p>Don't know too much about Williams and Amherst. </p>

<p>I'd say (like everyone will) make sure your essays are well-written, and show more passion for government since that seems to be your probable major...I know it's hard, I'm struggling to find fitting activities myself, but maybe volunteer to work on local campaigns since it's an election year and all. </p>

<p>Btw, I also hope I don't end up at ASU Honors.</p>

4

<p>Well, I don't feel comfortable "chancing" people, but I'm just going to say that you're not regular. To say the least, you're above average...</p>

5

<p>Sugar, you live in Eden Prairie? My cousins live there...small world. I have a cousin at the University of Minnesota right now. And I know, Penn and Princeton are just for fun, because why not, you know? But I also am not sure I'd even feel comfortable there if I got in...I'd hate to be the idiot of my classes.</p>

6

<p>I would say you'd be an idiot... everyone can bring in a unique perspective to a discussion.</p>

7

<p>Yup, I do live in Eden Prairie. Do any of your cousins go to the high school, maybe I know them? Anyway I see your point about the def. reaches. I mean I'm applying to Yale, it's wishful thinking, but at least I'll get to be hopeful during Feb-April.</p>

8

<p>I mean, "wouldn't"</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the speculation and feedback, it's nice to have other people to talk to about it. I'll check my cousins' facebooks, I can't remember the name of the school. Any advice or experience (college trips, pro/cons, rumors, etc.) are greatly appreciated.</p>

10

<ul>
<li>I'll try to stay more focused on the post from now on and stick to PMs, but just wanted to say my cousin is a sophomore at Hopkins High School, and several others have gone through Minnetonka. Anyway, back to any helpful stuff and thanks guys</li>
</ul>

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<p>i think you have a good shot at the colleges on your list, the problem with upenn is that they like legacy and diversity alot. Its really all subjective, whatever the college is or isnt looking for. i know some close to perfect people with perfect board scores and grades that didnt get into princeton, but you seem to have alot of ecs so i think youll be fine!</p>