Chance Me! (in-state)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>I live in state, in NoVA. I'm going to be a senior.</p>

<ul>
<li>GPA: 4.333W/4.0UW</li>
<li>SAT: 1680 (500CR/530/650W/10 Essay)</li>
<li>Ethnicity: African American, Female</li>
<li><p>IB Diploma Candidate (HLs=Bio, English, History & SLs=Math, Spanish, Psychology (Score=5) ) 1 AP (US Government, Score=3)</p></li>
<li><p>I am a member of: Key Club, Ecology Club, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Student Government, Chorus, Tennis, & Basketball. I've been a member of all of these since freshmen year, except the honor societies I joined in sophomore year.</p></li>
<li><p>Elected Spanish Honor Society President, Senior Class Secretary, Key Club Secretary (11th Grade) & Treasurer (12th Grade), Class Representative 9th-10th Grade, Co-Founder of a Spanish Daycare program at a local elementary school in 11th Grade</p></li>
<li><p>I tutor at my school's English Writing Center, at a local middle school for Spanish I students, and at my high school for Algebra 1-Trigonometry</p></li>
<li><p>I volunteer at a local hospital & with the county Red Cross chapter.</p></li>
<li><p>Some of my summer programs include: science internship at local university, internship with local soil & water conservation district, Virginia Girls' State, Virginia Governor's School, Virginia HOBY, 2009 CDC DDC, selected to attend William & Mary's STAR Program.</p></li>
<li><p>I've won many awards including foreign language literacy contests for Spanish, All County/District Chorus, Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award, many student of the year awards, and others I cannot remember at this time.</p></li>
</ul>

<p>So, at the school I go to in NoVa, the average GPA of an accepted student from 2008-2010 is a 4.25, the average SAT score is an 1880, and the average ACT score is a 27. We have this cool thing called family connection, and it shows us the admissions rates from the past 3 years. This past year from the class of 2010, 8 were admitted and 23 applied (in 2009 16 were admitted and 30 applied). I KNOW my SAT is not up to par. That was from my May one, I did a little studying but my family can't really afford to give me prep classes and stuff. I'm really hoping to increase about 200 points or so to get my score to an 1850 at the least. I took a practice ACT yesterday and scored a 29 though. What do you think my chances at UVa are??</p>

2

<p>i think you have great ECs, great GPA, but as you mentioned your SAT is gonna hurt you. I think you should try out the ACT and shoot for a 32+ and you will be fine at uva.</p>

3

<p>I’d definitely try the ACT as you may find that one takes better for you (my D found that was true for her) but I would not let a low score dissaude you from giving it your all in applying - you have a great GPA which says more than any standardized test score will and you have some fabulous ECs. </p>

<p>Also, sign up for the SAT question of the day from the SAT site - those are free and at least will be something you can work on and also see what the library might have for prep books, including newspapers like the Wall Street Times - read many of those articles and it can help with the CR portion of the SAT.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

4

<p>I would of course take ACTs. Try for 33+.
If you can’t do that, I would do NVCC if UVA is your dream school. You’ll save money, have guaranteed acceptance, and maybe be able to transfer in a year.
Your scores right now probably will be the reason for your deferment.</p>

5

<p>Are you kidding me? I’m not going to work my ass of in high school to end up at a community college. I know an AA girl this year who was admitted to UVa with a 1550 SAT and NO SAT SUBJECT TESTS! Her GPA was only a 3.85, whereas mine is a 4.0uw. There was also another girl at my school admitted this year with a 4.3GPA, 1810 SAT, and 26 ACT. My weighted GPA is already higher than hers, and she was also white, so anything can happen…</p>

6

<p>Don’t let that opinion get to you - you are a very strong candidate already - just keep it up! :slight_smile: I actually think you have a great shot but I also know UVA is a reach for anyone in Northern Virginia simply based on numbers. Since you are worried about your scores I’d definitely try the ACT and just take the SAT again as well but I really don’t believe UVA puts nearly as much weight into standardized scores as everyone believes. And if for some reason it doesn’t work out for you at UVA I know you’ll have some great acceptances you can be proud of!</p>

7

<p>The thing about UVA is that if you have any connections, use them. You got a chance. But, you’ll need to take the ACT. You only have a 1030 SAT (writing excluded). That’s not enough with your perfect GPA. If you can get your Math and CR scores up by 150 each, then you should be good. 33 ACT will help you as well.</p>

8

<p>But UVA counts the writing section of the SAT, so why are you even excluding it?</p>

9

<p>^Does it? I always thought they only counted Reading and Math.</p>

10

<p>No, UVA counts the writing section. What they don’t consider is the SAT Essay. I remember reading something that Dean J posted about it being difficult to dig through for the SAT Essays and stuff like that, but they do consider the writing PORTION.</p>