<p>I am an extremely motivated high school junior with an unweighted 3.9 GPA and 5 AP classes this year (6 in total). I have a 780 on a Math Level 2 SAT Subject Test, a 750 on a Math Level 1, I got 211 on my PSAT last year (and I'm only improving), and I'm looking for my SATs to wind up around 2200-2300 when it's all said and done. I also plan to take additional I am going to be the captain of my school's debate team next year, as well as an active member of mock trial and a section editor for my school's newspaper. In addition, I also founded the school's first community service club affiliated with Kiwanis, and while it folded due to lack of interest, it was a big learning experience for me. I have aspirations for nothing less that the absolute highest schools in the country- anything lower than Emory simply will not do it for me.</p>
<p>These “absolute highest schools in the country” are reaches for almost everyone, and even the best files as I’ve seen on CC are high matches (i.e. near-reaches) at best.</p>
<p>Perhaps I should clarify: I’d be satisfied going to a school like Tufts or Tulane (although I’d harbor a slight disappointment in myself), but I’ve dreamt of going to an Ivy League school since I was 7. I know it’s pretentious to think that success is only measured by what college you attend, but I’ve grown up with that expectation.</p>
<p>That being said, what are my realistic chances of making any one of the Top 20 USNWR ranked schools? I don’t care which one, all I care about is that I get into one.</p>
<p>It’s not that it’s just pretentious to think that success is only measured by what college you attend–it isn’t logical. Or true.</p>
<p>If you are smart enough to think you have a chance at the “absolute most elite” schools, you should be smart enough to look beyond your childhood fixations and apply some mature critical thinking to your decision-making process. What are you interested in? What do you love to do? What makes you tick? And where can you achieve your goals? The “Top 20 USNWR ranked schools” are all completely different from one another. And they are not the only great colleges in the country. It’s not just getting in–it’s finding a place that fits you. You should care A LOT about “which one.” This is your entire life you are talking about. College is but a small part of it.</p>
<p>The really short answer is that with the stats you project, you have as good a chance as anyone at the very top schools (i.e., Ivies and Ivy Peers). Those schools choose the bulk of their class from people with the stats you mention.</p>
<p>Good grades, good scores (expected) and good ECs. Of course your essays and recommendations will have to also be there.</p>
<p>Even though the admissions percentages are tiny at all of the top 20 schools, it’s what you should be shooting for.</p>
<p>You do realize that all of the Ivies are different, right? I just explained this to a friend; it’s foolish to apply to each one if you are merely doing so because of its Ivy status. You have to figure out what is important to you because- besides prestige and a few other technicalities (like no merit-based aid)- these schools are not really that similar. Cornell, for example, is very limited in its AP credit transfer policy. Yale is located in quiet, suburban New Haven, while Columbia is in the heart of NYC. You need to consider these factors and a number if others before you do something you might regret.</p>