Chance me on my college list please!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone!! Here’s my info first:

White female from Illinois, very highly rated large public high school (about 2500 students)

GPA: 5.83 / 6 weighted, 4.9 / 5 unweighted
Classes: All AP/Honors curriculum, always taken the most challenging classes available to me and gotten A’s in all of them
ACT: 36 (Math 35, Science 35, Reading 36, English 36, Essay 10)
Subject Tests: Math 800, Latin 800, Literature 760
Rank: My school doesn’t keep track, but I’m in the top 3% at least and my counselor will probably explain that in her letter of rec

AP Scores: European History-5, Latin-5, US History-5, Lang & Comp-5, Physics-4

ECs:
Leadership position in Latin Club for 2 years and member for 4 years
Math team sophomore-senior
JETS (competitive testing basically) junior-senior
National Honor Society junior-senior
Volunteered at a hospital since December 2017, will have about 90ish hours by the time I apply to college
Junior writer for a local magazine a few times a year since 2015
Tutored a few times last semester
Worked at a public pool the summers after sophomore and junior year

Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction, won the Illinois Latin Tournament sophomore year, Summa Cum Laude all 4 years on the National Latin Exam

Letters of Rec: (I have asked 3 teachers to write me one but I will most likely only end up using 2 of them)
AP Physics: saw me work really hard and ask a lot of questions, which paid off as I did very well in that class. really liked me and will write a really good letter of rec 9/10
AP Language & Composition: said I was one of the brightest students he’s ever had. mentored me on the side for a writing competition which I won !!! will write me a really good letter of rec 9/10
AP Latin: we have an amazing relationship. she’s the sponsor for Latin Club and it’s a small club so we’ve worked together closely for that. she’s been my teacher sophomore-senior year so she can speak to who I am as a student and as a person. will write me an outstanding letter of rec 10/10

Essays: My common app essay is really good (in my opinion at least!), very unique topic that highlights my curiosity and passion for learning and research. I’m a strong writer so I’m not too worried about any supplemental essays

So that’s who I am in terms of application!! I’m gonna post my college list–please let me know if you think anything should be moved from a safety to a target, a target to a reach, etc. Also please let me know if, based on this list, there’s any other schools you think I should consider!

REACH SCHOOLS
Northwestern (applying ED)
University of Michigan (I know they defer a lot of people)
Notre Dame
Tufts

TARGET SCHOOLS
Purdue
Villanova
Northeastern
University of Illinois (unsure what major, but not applying to the engineering school)

SAFETY SCHOOLS
St. Louis University
Loyola (Chicago)
Marquette
Miami of Ohio

Thank you so so so much in advance for doing this!! You’re helping me out so much. I really really appreciate it <3

2

Assuming these all work for you in terms of finances, this is a good and realistic list. Nice job!

3

I think you have a good chance even with your reach schools. Good luck!

4

Im also applying to NU and Michigan, and I wish I have your resume.

Have you visited both campuses? North Campus in Ann Arbor is very nice, and NU is on another level.

Michigan no longer requires the essay, keep that in mind. Good luck to you, but I hope they pick me.

5

@troia39 First, based on the school size and that those lofty stats still aren’t top 2%, I am guessing you attend Hinsdale Central.

Second, I think that you are likely to get into your reaches, and I would add a couple more to consider.

I also think you would have a solid shot at Cornell, and also Penn. Your GPA is below average for Penn, but if they like your writing, it’s close enough. Investigate Kelly Writers House at Penn (http://writing.upenn.edu/wh/highlights/prospective.php). They have input into recruiting and admission of young writers for Penn.

6

I think you will get admitted to one or more of your reach schools, providing Northwestern doesn’t accept you ED.

7

You will get into Northwestern ED with that resume. Coming from a competitive Northeast private school and those who got in there had similar scores and grades with lesser EC’s. Great Job!

8

Also, What are you looking to study?? If engineering should you not get in ED to NW then Michigan would be the best for Engineering of your schools. I would think you would get into Michigan although you may be deferred in EA until they see if you are “still available”.

9

You have a great shot at NW, In fact I would add a few more reaches if you like anymore.
What do you want to study?

10

@Much2learn haha I wish I was at Hinsdale Central… I know it’s a great school! Thanks for your input!! I never thought I was good enough for Cornell or Penn but I’ll for sure check them out

11

@emorynavy ideally majoring in either psych or classics and then also going pre-med… but we’ll see how that works out

12

@troia39
You should look into Emory’s Psych program, it’s very Neuroscience heavy, so one could easily knock out the major and premed requirements at once. Also check out NBB if your interested.

13

Statistically, the schools are good. The most glaring problem that students ROUTINELY overlook is cost. All the other schools are either private or out of state. If you put cost in the equation, virtually every other school would be eliminated except Univ of Illinois.