Asian female, junior
GPA: I’d say 3.8, but this is a shot in the dark since we don’t get GPA on a 4.0 scale. My overall weighted GPA is a 101.6 with a huge upward trend this year
SAT: 1520
ACT: Haven’t done
SAT II: Took Chemistry, Biology
AP Tests: World History 3, Psych 5, Government 5, Microecon 4. Took Bio and Chem this year
Course Load: All AP/Highest classes except Calc this year. Took three science courses too. Senior year is all AP
Extracurriculars (sorry if these are vague, don’t want to be too specific):
Key Club Secretary
National World Language Honors Society
Speech and Debate President
NHS
Dance
Scholastic stuff
Leadership programs around my community
Volunteering at many places
I guess I’m just worried because of all the people I know that were capable of getting into (but didn’t) tougher schools. Sorry if I couldn’t be more descriptive.
Poor, I’d wager. You have grades, you have test scores, but your ECs aren’t going to make you stand out.
Thanks! I was a bit anxious to put down some of the more specific stuff I’ve done, and I live in a place where the nearest research facility to do anything meaningful is way too far away. Would that have an effect on my application (where I live)
I guess I should’ve probably mentioned that I’m doing a summer course from Cornell in my intended major. I’m applying Early Decision there. Would that influence it at all?
ED/EA will definitely increase your chances of getting in, but I don’t know by how much. Your academics and EC’s are alright, but like a lot of the profiles I’ve seen here, your EC’s look pretty much like theirs. The Ivy Leagues look for people who stand apart from the crowd. In one article that I read, the admissions team at one Ivy League school admitted a student not for his amazing academics or EC’s, rather his personality. One of his recommendations came from a school janitor who praised the student for knowing all of the janitors’ names and cleaning up after everyone, even when he didn’t have to. That’s the type of students these schools are looking for. Now my question to you is, what sets you apart from the crowds of applicants at these schools? If you can look for it, and prove it in your recommendations and essay(s), I’d say you’d have a better shot at getting in.
Like other people I’ve seen and from my time applying to colleges, diversify what you’re applying to. Look for schools that are easier to get into and may offer you a full ride. Don’t worry if you don’t get into the Ivy Leagues because you’ll be coasting at a smaller school.
Hope this helped and best of luck!
@BobSagets You are within the feasible range for admission, but i wouldn’t be surprised with either outcome. You have better chances at Cornell and Hopkins, for Dartmouth your chances are a bit lower, and then for Penn even lower. ED would help boost your chances significantly at any of these schools. So I would suggest applying ED to your first choice.
Thanks! If it helps anybody chance me, my first choice is Cornell, so I am applying Early Decision there.
How far have u gone with speech and debate? Nationals? If u have then I’d say you have a chance. But otherwise u don’t seem to stand out. Don’t let prestige get in the way of ur happiness tho, ur smart so you’ll do well anywhere
Chance Back?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1976885-recommendations-on-where-to-apply-also-unique-ec.html#latest