Hello 
I am a senior applying to a variety of schools. Aside from my safety schools, I would like to be chanced for the following:
Bowdoin, Bates, Brown, Colby, Harvard, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Obviously, I did include a couple Ivies in my list. I don’t plan on applying to all of them: however, these universal reach schools are worth including, as they represent the highest level of academic selectivity. Also, I’ve always wanted to apply to Harvard just for myself, not with any disillusioned expectations of acceptance. I understand that if I pompously stated my Ivy League aspirations to this board, my stats would be eaten alive. That being said, here are my numbers and info:
GPA: 3.91 Weighted (will go up when my AP multiplier kicks in.)
Class Rank: 5
SAT: 1330 new scale (Probably one of my weaker points.)
Activities/Clubs:
Varsity Wrestling (captain)
Varsity Baseball (captain)
Jazz band (state titled soloist) (I play two instruments)
Numerous community bands
NHS
Key Club
Volunteering: Church based volunteering, musical outreach, volunteer at nursing homes, volunteering through NHS.
Hooks/URM: none.
Realistically, all of the schools on this list are at least reach schools, the Ivies all being far reaches. I would still appreciate everyone’s input, including some other school recommendations, as my heart isn’t set on any particular reach. Thanks!
I don’t know about your other schools, but you almost certainly will not get into the Ivies or UChicago. Sorry if that’s harsh, but it’s true. You say your GPA is a 3.91 weighted. Do you mean unweighted? Because if that was unweighted your grades will be pretty good. But if that actually is your weighted GPA, you’re chances already significantly drop. And your SAT is nowhere near where it should me. Based on your stats, you are not ready to handle any of these schools academically, and for that reason you won’t get in. Add on your lack of hooks and average extracurriculars and you’re not much better off.
Now, this doesn’t mean you won’t get into a good school. You probably will, but most likely not Ivy-level. It’s tempting to apply to those far reaches, just to see if you get in, but I suggest not. It’s a waste of time and money. I can’t think of any schools within your range that you can apply to, but you definitely need to reconsider your list.
OP, have you worked with your GC to come up with an achievable list of match, reach and safety schools. Based on the academic profile and unless you have a URM or First-Gen hook, I don’t believe any other than maybe Bates are achievable. If you don’t have any hooks, best to look at schools where you profile in at least the upper range of the top 50%, with more selective schools at the top 25%.
Thanks for the replies. And for @summerhazed , no that isn’t harsh. This is obviously a list of very selective schools. Also, my GPA is around a 3.9 unweighted, thanks for the catch. I haven’t seen the weighted product yet, as AP class multipliers don’t take effect until our semester closes. As for my SAT’s: Yes, I missed the 1400 mark by a sizable margin of 70 points. However, something I attempted to make clear in my application was the nature of my score. My reading and essay scores were both top-notch, while my math was abysmal. My entire application focus was tailored towards non STEM pathways. I understand that this does not make up for a low math score, but it should help clarify my academic focus and my particular strengths.
To @Chembiodad : Yes, I have worked with my GC. I have already been accepted to state schools and other reasonable safeties, some of which I would not at all mind going too. The aforementioned list of schools is cream of the crop, and while some of them are obviously out of my reach, I am irrefutably interested in them, and think that it is worth the effort.
Again, thanks for the replies.
Apply test-optional to Bowdoin and Bates. Seriously. Don’t send your scores. Honestly, I don’t see anything special for ECs either or any hooks that will make up for those scores. I’d say Bowdoin/Bates are your best bet. Also, find schools that are more within your range other than state schools.
Your rank is 5 out of how many?
Do you have any subject tests or AP scores?
What is your course rigor like?
I agree with the posters who say to apply test optional where you can. Bates, test optional would represent your best and perhaps only chance on that list.
My guess agrees with the comments above, I think that this entire list consists of high reaches. I have seen someone with far lower SAT and GPA get into Bowdoin, but they had a big URM hook. I have seen students with higher GPA (all A’s and A+'s) and far higher SAT be turned down by Bowdoin.
You have very good stats and should get into very good universities, but without a hook I think that you should focus on other schools.
Also, of course you need to pay attention to cost. Run the NPC and figure out with parental help what you can afford.
For the schools listed, even a 1400 is likely to not be enough. For most of them you need closer to a 1500 to be a serious contender.
Long gone are the days where scoring a 700 on each section was enough to be in contention at any school. Now 1500 is the new 1400!
Seems like Bowdoin is a good choice since your test scores are quite low. Also it is less competitive than the Ivy’s/ U Chicago so your GPA won’t hurt you as much. Good ec but your academics are definitely going to impede you getting a chance at some of your top choices
@jujunette01, Bowdoin is not less competitive than Chicago as it’s the #3 LAC and has an acceptance rate of 10%.
@Chembiodad What I was thinking. Definitely don’t send your SAT scores to Bowdoin–it doesn’t hurt you to not send them.
@Chembiodad very true, Bowdoin is not a very accessible school. However, it is test optional (as well as Bates). This will increase someone with a low 1300 SAT chances of getting in substantially.
@jujunette01, not with a 3.9 Weighted GPA. Test Optional at highly selective schools such as Bowdoin means that you have extraordinary offsetting attributes from a 4.0 Unweighted GPA to EC’s - think having things that have changed the world as a high school student.
Furthermore, because Bowdoin has less than 2000 students and hooked applicants make up 40-50% of the accepted students, the non-hooked acceptance rate is around 5%.
Bates is a more realistic test optional choice.