Chance an average student for average schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
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I know I’m only a junior, but i’m a little bored here so I wanna try this! My stats may be mediocre but I have high expectations for myself and enjoy a challenge so, yeah! This whole college process has been stressing me out a bit! But is is very intriguing! I tend to worry about little things such as having to opt for a lower level class and even getting a B. I used to be alright with B’s, but now I strive for A’s. A lot of people i see on A2C and CC tend to have high stats so I hope it’s refreshing for you all to see an average student come on here.

Schools I would like to be chanced for: Salisbury University, UDel, University of MD-Eastern Shore, Eastern University, Cabrini

Prospective major: Undecided but want to do something related to business. Or something that makes use of my strengths(i.e. very good attention to detail, organizational skills)

Overview: 16 year old caucasian female from wealthy high school in Delaware. School is ranked as one of the best in the state. Has 5 siblings and has aspergers. Lower middle class. Have overcame a lot of issues since I was younger, due to my shortcomings so that would probably be a good essay topic for me to write about.

GPA: 3.4 UW, 3.65 W( I didn’t do well freshman year) Am a consistent honor roll student. So far, in junior year I have a 3.7-3.8 UW i think. Have been on an upward trend with this, however. 3.56 UW GPA Sophomore year

Honors classes: 9th: Honors English 9, Honors Geometry, Honors Biology, Honors Civics/Geography

10th: Honors English 10, Honors Physical Science, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Economics

11th: Honors Pre-Calc, Honors US History, Honors Chemistry, Honors American Lit, Honors Spanish 3

12th: Plan on taking Honors Marine Science, Honors World History, Honors Spanish 4(maybe), Honors British Lit

-I usually take all honors classes available at my school. I personally like them better than AP since they don’t teach to a test. And unlike in the regular classes at my school, most people take school seriously. (This is not to shame anyone for taking regular classes. I’m just saying this based on what i’ve seen at my school.)

AP/Dual Credit

  • I take APs i know I will do well in and relate to my future area of study. I don’t want to waste my time studying for an AP that I hate. I can handle 1-3 AP/Dual classes a year.

11th: AP Human Geography(no exam but have an A in that class)

12th: Plan on taking AP Stats or Calc AB(don’t know which one yet) and Dual credit Psych/Sociology. Maybe AP Spanish

SAT: Haven’t taken yet. Studying to take it in March. But i got a 1010 on grade 10 PSATs

Class Rank: Top 50% of class(Very average, i know)

ECs: Very weak, I did do JV soccer freshman year but that doesn’t count. I had issues with school and wasn’t motivated to do clubs when i was an underclassman. I hope to try and do some community service soon. Due to the pandemic I can’t join any clubs right now.

Possible essay topic: Autism and how it has affected me. Also how I worked to overcome struggles to become the person I am today

What i hope to see in a college: Small or medium class sizes, A good community, close to home, rigorous academics, good programs, diversity

Thank you for your time, and I wish you all luck as you apply to colleges! Merry Christmas btw!

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I don’t know anything about these schools so I can’t really chance you, however, I will say that your academics look very strong as do your essays/essay topics. Definitely work on improving your EC’s as you have mentioned. Best of luck!

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Most colleges beside UDel would be safeties so you can be a bit more ambitious.
Look into Colleges that Change lives: stronger than those you listed, but perfect matches for a student with a 3.3-3.7 GPA AND a rigorous schedule. In addition, most have good financial aid and solid merit aid.

Calculate your EFC (the minimum contribution expected from your parents) and run the NPC on Ursinus, Muhlenberg, Marist, Susquehanna (good business school).

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Update: I’m actually considering Honors Physics instead of Marine Science to make myself more competitive.

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Salisbury and UDel may be good fits. You might look at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (Honor’s College), Gettysburg, or Albright.

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St. Mary Honors College? I didn’t think I’d be a fit for any honors colleges lol.

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They want to see a student willing to challenge themselves and intellectually curious, which is indicated in your course choices/rigor and in your essays and/or recommendations. Other things that matter: you have favorite books, you ask questions in class, etc.
Honors colleges generally offer small, interactive classes. The students must be active, do the reading and participate, be interested in co-curricular activities (ie., you read about an art style, you take a trip to see an exhibit in a big museum. Or, you read a non fiction book then interview the author…)
Obviously you need to be better than the average for the school, but based on your junior year it looks like it may be something you’d qualify for and would enjoy?

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My guidance counselor said I am above average, but not at the top of my class. I’m in the top half of my class with average test scores but mostly above average grades. He also said my course rigor was fairly good I think and that I should continue taking honors and AP classes. Also, I think an honors program would be beneficial since I do best surrounded by people who are also motivated to do their best. These people don’t have to be very intelligent, but they should be motivated to work hard and diligently. Even in some of my high school honors classes that I’ve taken, there were people who would distract themselves with youtube or talking with friends which kind of rubbed off on me since I would also get distracted. This occurred especially in freshman year, which is a year I didn’t try my best in. When I’m in an environment with people who are dedicated to doing well, I tend to also do pretty well. That’s why I’d be interested in an honors program but I’m not sure if I have the stats to qualify.

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You will only know if you try. It costs nothing to try. At worst you’ll get into the university, not the honors college, so you’d lose nothing.

Many universities (including St Marys of Maryland Honors college) are test optional.
If you have lots of A-s and a mix of As and Bs, the universities listed would be possible, especially since youre5on an upward trend.
Do practice for the SAT, using Khan academy. If you can find Erica Meltzer’s books for SAT English practice every day using those. Sign up for Question of the day. It’ll make a tremendous difference to your potential score. Then take the test in May, right at the end of school, and again in August. And if you don’t score 1150-1200, mostly apply test optional.

Run the NPC on all colleges listed on this thread.
Based on what you say, you’d have a pretty good chance at Muhlenberg, Susquehanna, or Marist, for instance.
Same for College of Charleston, UDayton, or UMW.

As long as you have two affordable safeties you’re happy with, there’s no reason to sell yourself short.

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I have mostly A’s and B’s on my transcript with the exception of a couple C’s freshman year. I didn’t know that C’s were that bad freshman year and those C’s weren’t in core classes. And with the SAT, I’m practicing using Khan Academy for 45 mins a day, but I just started. I take the SAT in the beginning of March, so I have around two months to prepare. I’m aiming for at least a 1100.

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Give yourself time to prepare for the SAT - there’s no expectation you’d take it in March unless it’s part of your school testing program (also, the March test may not be offered due to the pandemic). May or June junior year is often the best time to take it.
But, as I mentioned, lots of very good schools are test-optional.

A’s and B’s in honors core classes sophomore and junior year will really help show that you were going through growing pains as a freshman but have been learning and maturing since.

Look for a thread by Ubumble, whose son has a 2.58 GPA and is sweet and hardworking. The thread will give you a good idea of which colleges could be safeties for you. You’ll note he even got scholarships thanks to course rigor and good essays.

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Where is the thread? I’m interested in looking at it. I couldn’t find it though. Also, the March test is offered through my school so I have to take it(that is, if it doesn’t get cancelled). If I don’t do well, I’m going test optional.