<p>I'm Hispanic, low income, ranked 3rd in my class, GPA 3.97 (non weighted)<br>
Extra curriculars: Band, Biotechnology/Molecular Biology internship, First place at state science fair (biochem), Intel International Science and engineering fair finalist, NHS, Science NHS...</p>
<p>You’ll need to provide a bit more for people to chance you, especially for the Ivies.
Like what are your SAT/ACT Scores? Any prominent awards or academic honors? Leadership instances? Good rec letters? High School Courseload?
However, being Hispanic might help you :)</p>
<p>My test scores are bringing me down. I have a 26 on the ACT and 650ish on both physics and Bio SAT subject tests. My courseload is the toughest available more toward biological sciences. I was hoping that my research could help since its an original project based on a medical condition which runs in the family and it took me to compete at the international level, so I was hoping colleges would like that. I also immigrated from Mexico which gives me a more unique story for essays. I think I can get good letters of rec- one from a teacher who is a Harvard alumni. I know that in many aspects I can’t compete with many of the people applying, but these are some advantages I think I have. Thanks :)</p>
<p>hmm… you have some very strong extracurriculars with a seemingly disadvantaged life (low income, genetic medical condition, immigrated from Mexico) so I think that you should stress those; however, your test scores are on the extreme, low end. So while you may be one of those few that get into Ivies with low scores, I wouldn’t count on it since most of that bracket is occupied by star athletes. A good thing is that Ivies look for the whole package and you seem pretty driven so they may interpret it that way. I would say 15% for Harvard, Yale, MIT, and Cornell and up to 25% for the others. </p>
<p>Can you return the favor and chance me for Berkeley, Northwestern, UChicago, and UPenn?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1365837-help-me-out-chances-cal-upenn-others.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1365837-help-me-out-chances-cal-upenn-others.html</a></p>
<p>Have you tried the SAT? Your ACT score is holding you back. Look at the Common Data Set (Section C) for all the schools you are considering. The thing about the standardized tests is that they can be studied for - practice does make a difference - so use some time this summer to get yourself in range. Once you are, you have a sufficiently impressive back-story and list of accomplishment to be a serious candidate.</p>
<p>Why the ivy leagues? Do ALL of them fit what you want out of college, or is it because of the generous FA they give?</p>
<p>Other schools you should look at include JHU and Washu. Both are extremely strong in sciences, I’d argue more so than the majority of ivy league universities. According to JHU’s CDS, 17% of students have ACT scores between 23-29. While most of these are athletes or students with major hooks, you certainly have a chance at these schools.</p>