<p>White, middle class male from a large public high school in Minnesota. Rising senior.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.889
ACT: 33
Rank: 26/684 = top 5%</p>
<p>Classes from grades 9-11:
My schools has limited offers for APs. There are 12 offered in total, but you have to be a senior to take 6 out of those 12. I've only taken 1 AP 9th-11th (APUSH), but I'm taking 3 my senior year. I've taken advanced English classes every year as well as advanced science classes in biology, chemistry, and physics next year. I've also taken four years of Spanish and a band class every year. I've taken regular math classes, but technically I am a year ahead in math by my district's standards because I took 2 math classes my sophomore year. I understand that my schedule lacks some rigor that these schools look for which probably makes my application slightly weaker.</p>
<p>ECs
-Member of a peer leadership group in 9th grade, still in middle school for my district
-4 high school musicals in the pit orchestra playing flute
-Various college honor bands
-MMEA (Minnesota) Allstate band for 2 years
-Mentored elementary school flute players
-3 years of marching band, currently section leader of the flutes
-1 year of Quiz bowl
-2 years in my schools youth service organization
-Inducted into the National Honor Society in 11th grade, elected Vice President for 12th</p>
<p>I also want to make it clear that I'm not EXPECTING to get into all of these schools, if even one. But, I would like to hear honest opinions and thoughts. Thanks!</p>
<p>Great work all around. Unfortunately, to get into these top schools, you need to stand out. Please don’t get offended, as I really do commend you for your achievements thus far, but it doesn’t appear to me that you’re going to stand out. Thousands of applicants play instruments and have the same, if not higher scores. Really strive to stand out.</p>
<p>I would not automatically count yourself out for any of these schools (at least that’s my opinion-- it would be a bad decision not to apply to some more safety and target schools but I know you will do that) because the only way you will have no shot is if you don’t even apply!!</p>
<p>With that said, competition is absolutely nuts with these highly selective colleges, so I agree with the poster above and really try to stand out. Your essays are a great outlet for you to speak on your behalf and say something interesting, unique, and cool about yourself that they would not necessarily know about you without looking at your application. For example, you have obviously shown a passion for marching band, which will show through on your essays. Maybe consider writing your longer essays (common app, supplement essays for a particular college) about something else? And reflect on your marching band experience in some short answer section (if available/applicable)? It is just a suggestion, no need to follow my advice.</p>
<p>Ultimately, your numerical stats make you a competitive applicant at each school (some schools more competitive than others, obviously), so you have really got to stand out in your essays and letters of recommendation. I truly wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>I think you definitely have a shot at each of those schools! Many people on CC told me the same thing that people are telling you now. “You don’t stand out.” Whatever. You have a fantastic academic background (better than mine was!) and now you should focus on your essays. The essays is where you can stand out! I found it hard to explain the importance of my ECs in reference to my future goals so I used my commonapp essay to explain. My essay was a narrative that recounted a pivotal moment in my life, how this moment affected my goals, and how my ECs related to this greater purpose. Anyways, I think this is what helped me “standout.” I was accepted to Dartmouth, Princeton, and Uchicago, while the Valedictorians from my school were flat out rejected.
I hope this gives you some confidence! Good Luck!</p>
<p>xoxo is correct. I have seen students get rejected at UC Berkeley and get accepted to Stanford and Harvard…UC Berkeley mainly looks at grades and test scores like most flagship state schools…whereas top private schools allow more discretion for the intangibles…</p>
<p>Thanks so much guys! I honestly wasn’t expecting this much positive feedback! I’ll do my best to make my essays great and hopefully I’ll have a shot :)</p>
<p>I also have a followup question regarding my ACT scores. I recieved a 33 (So happy!) the third time I took it and my individual scores were 34 english, 29 math, 34 reading, and 35 science. Does my lower math score look like a weak point or will most colleges only take the composite into consideration? thanks!</p>
<p>They will notice that it is not your best section, but they will also notice how awesome your english, reading, and science scores are! A 29 is still a competitive score, so I wouldn’t be concerned about it!</p>