<p>Hello... I am looking for some input on what my chances are for the schools listed below. I know my GPA is on the low side for many of the schools I listed, but I think the clear upward trend makes my situation not so clear cut. Thank you for any feedback!</p>
<p>Schools I’m interested in:
1. UChicago (EA)
2. Williams (possibly ED)
3. Dartmouth
4. Bowdoin
5. Middlebury
6. Washu (Olin business school)
7. Vanderbilt
8. Wesleyan
I want to major in economics with a possible minor in english or math. </p>
<p>Background:
* White male
* Will not apply for any financial aid
* One rec will be amazing / other rec will be pretty good
* Common app essay is good according to my counselor
* Low GPA will partially be explained in counselor letter and my own essay.</p>
<p>Academics:
* GPA: 3.75 UW / 4.1 W
* SAT2: 690 US History / 720 Math 2 / 710 Lit (retaking Math 2 and Lit)
* ACT: 36
* Rank: top 20%
* 11 AP Classes by graduation (five 5s and one 4 on the APs I have taken so far)</p>
<p>ECs:
1. Student government officer
2. I work full time during the summer at a local business.
3. Sport team captain
4. ~300 hours of community service
5. I head 3 clubs. I'm an officer for 3 other clubs.
6. And more... Don't want to list more to protect my identity.</p>
<p>Once again, any feedback would be great! Thank you!</p>
<p>I’m tempted to say that schools like UChicago and Dartmouth could be very very tough because from what I read around here, most students who get in are top 10%. :(</p>
<p>Chicago: Reach
Williams: Reach
Dartmouth: Reach
Bowdoin: Match
Middlebury: Match
WashU: Match
Vanderbilt: Reach
Wesleyan: Match</p>
<ol>
<li>UChicago (EA)-Reach</li>
<li>Williams (possibly ED)- No clue :l</li>
<li>Dartmouth-Reach</li>
<li>Bowdoin-Match</li>
<li>Middlebury-Match</li>
<li>Washu (Olin business school)-Match, I just visited, very big campus + great school</li>
<li>Vanderbilt-Low reach</li>
<li>Wesleyan-Match</li>
</ol>
<p>@chewiebacca @businessinsider I don’t know if this changes anything, but my school does not report any ranking to colleges. Also, they do not provide ranking better than top quintile to students. </p>
<p>As you know, UofC and Dart are the hardest on your list with <10% acceptance rates; your rank might kill you there. I think you’re strong for the rest. </p>
<p>UChicago - high reach
Williams - mid reach
Dartmouth - high reach
Bowdoin - high match
Washington - mid match
Vanderbilt - low reach
Wesleyan - mid match</p>
<p>I’m confused as to how your GPA is low. It isn’t low by any means. That would be a waste of recommendation space. You should have your counselor highlight something else. What I will say is that none of these schools are a match. They are all reaches. There is no reason to apply to 8 reach schools. You’ll be wasting your money. But, I will chance you anyway</p>
<ol>
<li>UChicago (EA)- High Read</li>
<li>Williams (possibly ED)- Low Reach if ED</li>
<li>Dartmouth- High Reach</li>
<li>Bowdoin- Mid Reach</li>
<li>Middlebury- Mid Reach</li>
<li>Washu (Olin business school)- Mid Reach</li>
<li>Vanderbilt- High Reach, but if I’m not mistaken, they accept practically everyone that has perfect test scores</li>
<li>Wesleyan- Low Reach</li>
</ol>
<p>UChicago ED will probably be a reach, Vanderbilt a reach, Washington a high match/low reach, and Dartmouth a high reach. The others I’m not too sure about but they should be solid matches. Right now you should boost your grades a bit, get better SAT 2 scores, and make your essay amazing. Top 20% isn’t really anything special so try to improve your ranking too. You extracurriculars seem well balanced. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Not to familiar with many of them, and some information missing (get confidentiality reasons) (is low gpa due to poor family situation in one year or something?).
Uchicago and Dartmouth seem like reaches. Vanderbilt and Williams low reaches. The more compelling your reason is, the better your chances are, I’m assuming it’s only somewhat compelling in this chance.</p>