Chance me please- worried about low GPA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I go to a nationally acclaimed public magnet school specifically for business (intended major), and my unweighted GPA is a 3.815- my school does not weight GPA. I had a 3.446 freshman year, and 4.0's sophomore and junior year. All my freshman and sophomore courses were very rigorous due to the nature of my school, and all my junior courses were taught at the IB level. In addition, I will graduate with the IB Diploma.</p>

<p>I have a 2250 on the SAT, as well as a 750 on the Chemistry and US History SAT II, and a 780 on the Math SAT II.</p>

<p>I have leadership positions on six clubs, three of which I have founded as not for profits, and made them clubs at my school. I also have the Presidential Award for Volunteer Service, and have 250+ volunteer hours.</p>

<p>I am also on NHS, Spanish Honor Society, and am decently accomplished on my school's Model UN Team, and very accomplished on my schools DECA chapter, (won numerous awards/am on the chapter board).</p>

<p>I also do business research at my school, and have done political campaigning, and have had two internships in finance/business. I am also on my school's golf team, and an editor for the school newspaper. I am also a part of many business/finance/economics things at my school and am decently accomplished in them (Federal Reserve Challenge, Business Professionals of America, Future Business Leaders of America). </p>

<p>I have also attended a one week program at Georgetown, and a study abroad program. </p>

<p>Do I have a shot at schools like Georgetown, Northwestern, Duke, Vanderbilt, Boston College, and University of Michigan? I am just worried that I have nothing that stands out from any other applicant. I am also very willing to apply ED and EA.</p>

<p>Also, any suggestions on good EC's to improve my chances? I want to be able to stand out (even if its just a little bit) from the average applicant. Any other school suggestions as well?</p>

<p>I have excellent essays and solid recommendations, and a few connections to Georgetown and Boston College. </p>

<p>Thanks in Advance!</p>

2

<p>At this point, if you suddenly take up a bunch of new ECs it will just look like a last minute hail-mary move to beef up your resume right before applications. You already show clear commitment to what you do and have plenty of leadership, so I think you’re covered in ECs. Remember, you don’t have to be a national champ in everything to be distinguished, and accomplishments in a handful of ECs is better than shallow involvement in everything.</p>

<p>I think Michigan is a very safe bet for you, and I think you also have a good shot at Northwestern (I know people who go there). I think you could make it to Vanderbilt, but as will all colleges, there’s no guarantee. If your connections to Georgetown and Boston College are along the lines of legacy or knowing people in admissions, then that’ll really boost you for those- maybe a high match. If the connections are siblings or extended family that go/went there, or you know a professor, then it’s probably a mid-low reach. Duke is surprisingly difficult to get into- I know many brilliant people with amazing numbers and tons of ECs who were rejected. I think that might be your main reach. But all you’ve said here is really impressive, and I’ve known people who have gotten into these school with less! Just work really hard, maybe try to boost your GPA a bit, and I think you’ll get into a few of these!</p>

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<p>Have you looked into William and Mary? Their business program is on the rise and their ed acceptance rate is very good. Hope this helped!</p>