<p>Hey everyone! :)>-
As a junior in high school, the last couple months has been super stressful for me. Hearing about everyone else's ED and EA acceptances has really left be wondering about my chances next year. As of now, I plan on applying to Columbia early decision, and UChicago early action, and then Penn, Dartmouth, NYU, and William & Mary regular. So, without further ado, here are my stats!</p>
<p>GPA: 4.2ish (my school only does weighted)
Class is unranked!
PSAT: 215
ACT: Haven't taken yet but am expecting 33ish (that's what I've gotten in practice)
By the time I graduate I will have taken around 10 APs
Right now, I am an officer in four clubs, but by senior year I plan on being in charge of around six.
All my extracurriculars revolve around International Relations and political science.
I also even started my own charitable organization for the Dominican Republic, where I volunteer every summer. So far we've raised lots of money for school supplies and even plan on starting a scholarship for children over there.
I intend to major in International Relations, and even Economics, and many of the schools I am applying to have great joint programs.
I am a Latino (HOPING THIS HELPS A LOT!)</p>
<p>Possible Legacies??
My uncle and father went to Columbia.
My cousin and grandfather went to Penn.
My brother and sister went to Dartmouth.
My other sister went to W&M.</p>
<p>Please be truthful! I really want to know where I stand! Hold nothing back!! </p>
<p>Hmm, being a URM will help. Your EC’s seem to have a focus that centers around your major, which shows drive. Pretty good GPA and alright ACT. Is a 215 qualifying for National Merit in your state? My advice to you is to start thinking about what you want to write your essay about. You are missing large scale awards, but you may be able to counter that with high stats. You should definitely try and get that ACT up; practice tests can be a lot different from the real thing. I’m not entirely sure how the whole legacy thing works; I’m a junior myself. Here’s my thoughts:
Early
Columbia: Accepted
UChicago: Depends on your essays, either deferred or accepted
RD if you don’t get into Columbia
Penn: Waitlisted
Dartmouth: Accepted
NYU: Accepted
William & Mary: Accepted</p>
<p>Remember these are just general thoughts; I can’t stress enough that there isn’t any certainty in all of my decisions.</p>
<p>You’re looking pretty good right now; think about your essays (UChicago ones can get tricky) and possibly get your ACT score up if you can. It’s a crapshoot up there, so good luck!</p>
<p>Also, as a Junior, you still have time to make things happen; think about maybe applying for some summer camps to expand your academics–only apply to camps that you actually want to go to, not prestigious ones for college.</p>
<p>I hope I helped!</p>
<p>I don’t have a ton of insight - my D is our older child and first to apply to college - but here are a few thoughts. </p>
<p>Be absolutely sure Columbia is your clear #1 AND that you have worked through the financial piece of the puzzle before you apply ED (this really goes for any ED app) because if you are accepted, you’re contractually obligated to go there (and rescind all other applications you’ve submittted). It limits you in terms of looking for any competing financial aid packages (unless money is no object). My D was accepted to UChicago (her clear #1 but they only do EA, not ED), and we’re struggling with how to swing the finances. She is being offered very generous merit money at other good schools (no Ivys, although she did apply RD to two - waiting to hear). The thing about UChicago is they really place a lot of weight on essays (she heard this ahead of time, and everything we continue to hear supports this claim), so be sure you let your voice come through on them. We were lucky enough to be able to visit UC last winter and had some interesting non-UC experiences (e.g., loco cab driver) which she very cleverly wove into her essay. A little bit of humor combined with a clearly articulated desire to attend that school. It must have worked for her.</p>
<p>Depending on your state your PSAT score may qualify you for NMSF. That could also help but it’s a brutal wait-and-see game. D didn’t find out until mid-September of her senior year that she was a NMSF. She is also Latina, and it’s hard to say if this has had any bearing on her acceptances so far. </p>
<p>As a side note - D’s junior year was also super stressful (academically, extracurricularly, working PT). Like you, she was constantly worrying about how she would stack up against other applicants. But she really made time to research schools, start her essays, line up some teachers for strong recs, and get her college app plan outlined. It’s great that you’re starting this process now. You’ll be amazed at how quickly senior year rolls around and deadlines come up. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who’s replied so far! To answer some questions asked:
For my family (fortunately) financial aid wouldn’t really be expected or required so that doesn’t really play the biggest role in my decision process. As for the PSAT, my score usually isn’t high enough in my area to make NMSF but it should be more than enough to make the national hispanic recognition program.
Thanks so much everyone!!</p>
<p>Hey, as a junior in high school, apply to a ton of prestigious programs in whatever you’re trying to do if you’re willing to not go to the DR this summer. I think you’ve got a great chance with fantastic extracurriculars, and if you can raise your test scores then you’ll definitely get in somewhere. </p>
<p>Columbia, Penn, Chicago, Dart: Reach (but reachable; I think you’ll get into 1-2 of these)
NYU, W&M: Yes to both </p>