Schools I’m interested in: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (top choice), University of Connecticut at Storrs, Northeastern University, Lehigh University
I’m a rising senior from Connecticut. I am Asian American. I’m very interested in majoring in pharmacy.
GPA: 4.600 (5.0 scale)
SAT 1 (highest score): 1440 (planning to take another one in August)
SAT Subject Tests: Biology 750
AP Scores: AP Mandarin 4, AP Biology 4
AP classes taken: AP Mandarin, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP U.S. History
AP and Honor Classes I’m taking next year: AP Calculus AB, AP Physics 1 and 2, Honors American Literature 1 and 2
Extracurricular activities: I been volunteering at my local library since 8th grade, I been part of Key Club for 1 year in my sophomore year, I took part in Science Bowl this year, I been taking violin lessons since my freshman year and I play at recitals, and I have been playing recreational basketball since third grade. I also took Chinese language classes since first grade at a central state university.
Hello, seems like your academic background is pretty strong. From what I know, UConn is your safe school. I got admitted last year, but I didn’t go there. Lehigh and Northeastern are your matches. If you are not international student, Northeastern would be your safe school. UNC is more competitive. Taking another SAT is a wise choice！
UNC will be tough, but it isn’t out of the question. Northeastern is certainly not a safety school for you as said above, but it is a good match as is Lehigh. UConn, on the other hand, is a good safety. Overall, it seems like you’ve put together a great list, and you are competitive for each of the schools – now just work on adding some more schools to it as 4 is quite a small amount.
One thing that would be very helpful is for you to explain your GPA a bit more. Is it weighted? What are your classes? What grades have you earned in those classes? What is your class rank? All of these factors are much, much more important than the GPA itself.
Also, what is your intended major? It is a bit concerning that I can’t really identify any interests from your EC’s – they are pretty generic. That said, if you can describe them well and maybe add a leadership role before you apply, you will be fine.
It’s good that you’re taking the SAT again as having a score any closer to 1500 would help tremendously. UNC is a good choice for early action I’d say, but also fill out your list with some more reaches, matches, and safeties while maintaining a balance between the three. Good luck!
My GPA is weighted. My school no longer offers class rank but I am probably in the top 15 out of about 500 students in my class. I have listed the honors and AP classes I have taken. I usually get As, A-s and B+s in those classes. I also plan to major in pharmacy. To add, I’m part of the NHS and Science National Honor Society. My science background is related to my interest in pharmacy. For leadership, I typically play point guard or shooting guard in my rec basketball games, so I help my team run plays.
Try to get some science related ECs if you are interested in pharmacy. As another poster mentioned, he/she couldn’t tell what you wanted to major in based on your ECs.
Add Rutgers to the list if that is your potential major. Maybe BU as a high match/low reach.
Have you taken all AP/Honors classes so far, especially in the sciences/math? That will be necessary for a pharmacy major.
AP scores are OK. Biology has about ~10% of test takers earn a 5, so the 4 is pretty good. I would not send the Chinese score, since a 4 is not really impressive for someone of Chinese descent (I am assuming this from your post). Most colleges don’t like ethnic Chinese kids taking that particular AP test. Also a lot of competitive colleges do not give credit for the AP Chinese test.