Chance me? (Duke, Princeton, etc) Will chance back

Hi! I’m a junior in high school doing the IB programme. I’m a female, Mexican, and an immigrant, my parents are immigrants as well, if that makes any difference.
I’m planning to apply to some top schools even though I think they’re a reach, namely: Duke, Princeton, Berkeley, Wake Forest, Georgetown, UPenn, Chapel Hill.

Here’s some of my info, feel free to ask for more:
GPA: 3.88
WGPA: 4.6
PSAT: 1520 (Semi finalist for NMS)
SAT: 1530 (Only took it once, will take again)
ACT: 34

Freshmen year classes: Magnet English, Magnet Chinese 4, AP Government, Magnet Biology, Magnet Algebra 2, Gym, Magnet Art

Sophomore year classes: Magnet English, AP Chinese, AP US History, Magnet Chemistry, Magnet Precalc, Magnet French 4, AP Stat

Junior year classes: AP English Lit, Magnet Chinese 6, IB History 1, AP Enviro, AP BC Calc, AP French 5, Theory of Knowledge

Senior year classes (predicted): AP English Lang (HL), Magnet Chinese 7 (SL), IB History 2 (HL), AP Macro/Micro, IB Math (HL), Magnet French 6 (HL), Theory of Knowledge

APs: Government (5), Chinese (3), Statistics (5), History (5)
Predicted APs: Lang & Lit (both 5), Enviro (5), French (5), BC Calc (probably 4)

I speak English and Spanish fluently, and have been learning French and Chinese for ~6 years each. My AP score in chinese is pretty rough because I’m honestly not that good but it’s something I take very seriously and hope to continue in college. My French is pretty good and I hope to continue that as well.

ECs:

  • Vice-president in my school’s Model UN club
  • Won 3 awards at college MUN Conferences
  • Volunteered teaching children English in Mexico (where my family lives) 2 years in a row during summer break
  • Volunteer once a week as an afterschool teacher for elementary-aged students
  • Volunteer once a week as a junior coach for Girls on the Run (running program for elementary-aged girls)
  • Vice-president of the National Chinese Honor Society
  • Treasurer of the National French Honor Society
  • Have been involved in various art competitions, won 3, had art displayed maybe 3 or 4 other times
  • Volunteer around once a month at a French school nearby to help teach toddlers French
  • Started Model UN club at a nearby middle school and led it for 2 years

Please let me know what you think my chances are for any of the universities I listed, I would really really appreciate any input! Let me know if you want me to chance you back, I’d be happy to.

How can you “chance” someone else if you can’t chance yourself?

I’ve looked at my own info for so long that I can’t think about it that objectively. Obviously I’ve “chanced” myself, I just want some fresh ideas and different thoughts. :slight_smile:

You have great stats but relatively average ECs. You’re URM status should help. Make sure to write excellent essays and receive strong recommendations. I can see you getting into multiple schools.

If you are out-of-state for UNC, your chances may be far less than you think.

Obviously, WFU is your match/safety school. You should be in the running for all of the others with Berkeley as the most likely if you are a California resident.

With PSAT 1520 (perfect score) , Hispanic and female. I’m betting you are wanted by most listed schools.

Also, Wake Forest, UPenn, Chapel Hill have large merit scholarships.

Good Luck.

No need really to take the SAT again. The score is good enough for the schools on your list.

You’re a viable candidate for most of the schools (good standardized test scores/grades and female URM) and the background in the different languages makes for an interesting profile. Low reach for the prestigious schools on your list.

I wouldn’t worry about the 3 in AP Chinese since you’re not a native speaker/ethnic Chinese. It’s not my favorite AP class since most Asian kids take it to try for an easy A. In your case, you’re doing it for the challenge/being different.

I might add Chicago to your list of schools because of your unique background/interests. Perhaps Georgetown as well but they highly recommend 3 SAT subject tests.

I’m assuming you’re going for a PoliSci major or something pre-law based on your ECs (which are fine BTW).

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I live in Virginia btw, so Georgetown is definitely an option, I just haven’t thought about it much. I’m also applying to UVA and UMD although I’ve visited both and neither really appealed to me too much. I really (really) liked Chapel Hill when I went there, but I’ve heard it’s quite difficult to get into from out of state.

I also forgot to include SAT Subejct Test info- I took two, received a 780 in US History and 790 in Math 2. I plan to take maybe one or two more max.

My ECs aren’t really strong, I’m hoping to do an internship this summer at a nearby law firm. Is this something worth investing time in? I plan to study political science and international relations (though I’m still thinking about it).

1 more SAT subject test is fine. If possible take one in a foreign language, preferably with Listening. I would advise French, especially if you feel that your Chinese isn’t up to par.

Definitely go for the internship in the law firm if possible. And I see nothing wrong with your ECs as you have a focus with MUN and volunteering.

I actually don’t think your ECs are super avg. You’ve won multiple awards and shown strong leadership. Kids with high stats and incredibly average/crappy ECs get into top tiers all the time from my school. Have strong essays. You’re clearly passionate about Int’l relations. I think you would be a great fit for SFS at Georgetown.

I can see OP being a good fit at Woody Woo (aka Woodrow Wilson of Public and International Affairs at Princeton).

Also Yale YGS might be a good program to consider for the summer.

Also add Tufts as a target school.

Your stats are great and your ECs are good. Your URM hook will probably help a lot. You should focus on getting more leadership across your ECs and perhaps doing something related to politics and debate, which you seem to like, that would make you stand out more. For example, if your school does not have a Debate team, you should consider starting one. You are a very competitive applicant in general so just focus on your ECs and essays

@texaggie

Penn is an ivy league school and just like all ivies it does not offer merit scholarships. Only need-based aid is available.

Seems to me like you have a great chance for all of these schools. The National Hispanic Scholar Award will hopefully help as well. Overall you look like a great candidate