<p>These are possible reaches that I'm thinking of at the moment. I'm planning on applying to the business schools in each university (if possible). </p>
<p>Asian (Korean) male
State: New York
School: Very competitive public school, usually sends 15+ kids to ivies and many more to top 50 schools every year
Rank: School doesn't report
GPA: 3.4 UW (upward trend)
SAT: 2220/1470 (retake for a 2300+?)
APs up to jr year: Lang, Chem, Bio, Calc AB, Enviro. Got all 5s.
SAT II: 800 Math IIC 800 Chem
Sr year APs: Econ, Calc AB, stat, literature, psych
ECs/volunteering/awards:
-Award winning solo violinist, played for 10 years, competed in many competitions and played in Carnegie Hall, won international competition in Paris once, tutored since freshman year, passed highest level of ABRSM exam with distinction
-Chamber orchestra 4 years
-Hip Hop Club 2 years (president senior year)
-Academic League 3 years (varsity)
-Unpaid internship at Deutsche Bank
-Volunteer in nursing home 100 hours
-Water sampling 50 hours
-AP scholar with honors</p>
<p>Because you’re from New York, I won’t even differentiate between these schools. The state schools you’re applying to are every bit as tough as CMU and Cornell for OOS. And honestly, with your GPA, you will probably get rejected from all of them. I’m aware you have very strong test scores and that you have won some distinctions but that’s nowhere near enough to make up for that GPA, even if it is an upward trend. Besides, your ECs are good but not amazing, compared to other high caliber students, it’s not amazing. GPA is by far the most important factor schools look at and yours would be in the bottom 5% of accepted students if you do get lucky and get admitted to one of these schools. You need to apply to some easier schools to get into because if these are the only schools you look at, you won’t have a college to go to next year. I would suggest UW-Madison, Wake Forest and NYU as the ones your really aim for because they are a lot easier to get into and they have some kind of policy that makes it easier for someone with a lower GPA to get in, provided they are strong elsewhere. Even for those schools you’re going to have to get straight As this semester or at worst a 3.9.</p>
<p>If you really want to go to a top B-school, I suggest you transfer in. Schools like UVA, UNC and Emory have 2 year programs so you won’t lag behind even in you come in as a junior transfer. Ross is a possibility but you will have to get straight 4.0s for this year and next year to get in as a sophomore transfer. Even then it’s a long shot because they accepted a total of 4 external transfers for 2010. I know what you’re going through right now all too well because when I applied to college, I had a 3.64 (UW), 33 ACT but slightly worse ECs while going to one of the best public schools in Michigan. I also performed really well on AP tests. I applied to reach schools like Northwestern and UVA and was rejected from them. I was also waitlisted and ultimately rejected from Michigan as an IS student. I ended up going to my safety and now I’m trying to transfer into UVA, UNC, Cornell and Michigan for B-school. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings or anything but I just want you to have a realistic view of everything. Still best of luck and hopefully you end up where you want to go.</p>
<p>thanks a lot for the response. im glad you were honest with my chances. about my gpa, one of the main reasons it’s low is because of freshman year and a little bit for sophomore year. My junior year was decent (took very rigorous courses too), and I’m planning on getting all As senior year. Would I still have a tiny chance at any of my “reaches” if I get a 4.0 senior year and get a 2300+ on the SAT?</p>
<p>also, about NYU, my GC once told me that it has a good B-school. do you think i stand a chance getting in there?</p>
<p>Well that kind of reflects the trend I had in high school. Anyways even a 4.0 senior year and 2300+ would still be difficult simply because your competing with a lot of people with few spots. Your GPA would be 3.5 at best and it would still be very difficult to pick you ahead of enough people to admit you. What I understand about NYU is that it is one of the most test score oriented schools in the country. They seem to put a lot of weight on high test scores so it gives you a chance to get in there because of how good your test scores are. I’m not quite sure how admissions to Stern works so you should look that up but I believe that it is a different application from the regular one to NYU. Don’t quote me on that because I may have gotten that mixed up with another college.</p>