Hi, I’m hoping you all would chance me (I would gladly do the same for any of you!) Middlebury, University of Texas at Austin, Boston University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Massachusetts- Amherst?
I realize some of these colleges/universities may be reaches for me, but I was hoping you all could offer suggestions to improve my chances.
I’m an African-American female who lives in Texas (I don’t know how important this information is). Also, I am a rising IB senior.
Stats:
SAT: 2030; R: 700, M: 610, W: 720
Rank: 40/514, appx. top 7.8%
Subject Tests: I haven’t taken them yet, however I will be taking Literature and either French or US History (all of which I am likely to do well on).
GPA: (weighted) 4.59, (unweighted) 3.7ish or 3.8ish
AP tests: 4 on Human Geo, 4 on World History, 5 on US History, 5 on English Lit and Comp, 2 on Macroeconomics (this isn’t something I would report if I didn’t have to and, in my defense I studied for about 2 days)
IB tests: 5 on Chem SL
(I realize my SAT is low, especially the Math. However, I may take it again).
Extracurriculars:
–Girl Scouts (11 years), I have various patches, awards (Bronze, Silver, and I’m working on Gold, which will also be my CAS project), and many volunteer hours.
–Piano (9-10 years), I haven’t won many awards, but I enjoy playing and in the recent year I have been self-taught (due to money and lack of time).
–Student Council (2 years), Senator both Sophomore and Junior year. However, I’m not continuing senior year because I dislike the club, despite my love for my school.
–Spelling and Vocabulary UIL (3 years), Social Studies UIL (3 years), Current Events UIL (2 years); I routinely place at meets (1st-4th usually), have made to Regionals for SV, SS, and CE,and to State for Spelling.
(UIL is an academic competition that goes to the state level in Texas)
–NHS (2 years), Senior year I will be Treasurer.
–Model UN (2 years), I was a founding member Junior year, and will be treasurer Senior year.
–A camp called “texPREP.” It’s a 7-week STEM camp, that I’ve gone to for the past 4 summers. We take classes like Physics, Algebra, PreCal, Calculus, Astronomy, Math Applications, Ecology, etc. I ranked 3rd this year (my 4th year), with an overall average of 99 (=P).
–writer for the “IB Leaf” (1 year), an IB-centric newsletter/newspaper. I write fun/interesting articles about things like puns,art, or anything I find interesting.
–YOL (2 years), my city’s youth orchestra. I played trombone in the symphony orchestra (the top orchestra) both years, as 5th then 1st chair. Additionally I played trombone for 5 years, but I quit Sophomore year (because I hated it).
–Tutor (2 years), I’ve tutored for chemistry and algebra 1.
– this summer I’ve been teaching myself Esperanto
– I’ve had a tutor for Mandarin for about 1.5 years. However, I’m learning slowly because my lessons have been a bit inconsistent (I’m often busy on the weekends).
–Latin Club (3 years), however this club doesn’t do much of anything.
–I hope to restart French Club at my school this year. (I would be president)
– Also, a friend of mine is starting a Habitat for Humanity chapter at my school, and I will be Treasurer of that as well.
–(I don’t know if this counts as an extracurricular) I went to an NYLF Business Camp
Volunteering:
Food Bank (about 4 years), 3 hours every Saturday during the school year (except for holidays). However, my volunteering with them became less frequent the 4th year.
United Way (4 years), I volunteer with them during the school year on whatever projects they have (events tied to those of other organizations). The events are usually 2-3 hours.
Friends of the Library (1 year), I began volunteering with them this summer and will continue throughout the school year. During the summer, I’ve been volunteering 5-6 hours every Saturday, and will cut down to 3-4 per Saturday during the school year.
Girl Scouts (11 years), I volunteer with my troop for various community service projects.
Classes:
Freshman year: pre-AP Bio, AP Human Geo, Geometry, pre-AP English 1, Debate, Art, Band, Dance
Sophomore year: pre-AP Chem, AP World History, Algebra 2, pre-IB English 2, Astronomy, French 1, Latin 1, Band
(I tested out of both French 2 and Latin 2 over the summer)
Junior year: IB Chemistry SL, AP US History, Math SL/ Pre-Cal, IB English 3, IB Art HL, TOK, AP Econ, French 3, Latin 3
Senior year: AP Physics, World Topics (and IB class), AP Government, Math HL/Calculus (I’m taking the HL class, but the SL test), IB English 4, IB Art, TOK, IB French 4, IB Latin 4
Senior year I’ll be taking IB tests for History, English, Art (even though it isn’t really a “test”), Math, French, and Latin. I’ll be taking AP tests for Government, English, Physics (maybe), Calculus, and maybe for French and Latin.
I’m an excellent writer for my age/level/grade and my teachers love me (I realize how conceited that sounds, but it’s true) so my essays and recommendations will be great.
Thank you!