<p>Ok so I am reposting this with a few more choices added to the list. Again, anyone's advice, help, or opinions are greatly appreciated.
Hello, I am going to be a senior this year and I attend a small private Catholic school in California.</p>
<p>My Choices:
USC
NYU
LMU
Fordham
BU
Northeastern
UMass Boston</p>
<p>Ok so my GPA isn't very strong at all, I struggled freshman and sophomore year, but really improved junior year and will continue to do so in senior year. My GPA is 3.3.</p>
<p>My SAT, which I am retaking is currently at 1780, with a 650 math, 590 reading, and 540 writing. I am shooting for at least a 2000. I haven't taken the ACT yet, but plan too.</p>
<p>I have taken AP and honors courses, the majority of all my classes have been above the average level.
I have an active participation in 3 different clubs, and my extracurriculars are very strong.</p>
<p>I know that you might be thinking that some of these schools are a reach, but here's what I feel sets me a part from everyone, and something that these schools would appreciate.
I started my high school's drumline, I am lead snare, I write most of the pieces we play and coordinate everything for it. I am very talented at playing the drums and drumline is a passion of mine. This would be my main point of focus for universities and my essay topic. If you know USC, you know their drumline and I'm hoping this would be mind blowing for them. BU has a pretty substantial drumline as well, and LMU and Fordham have pep bands so I think this would be very appealing to all schools. Adding a quality to their schools that I do not think many people could bring. Please help me with any advice or suggestions that you could give, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.</p>
<p>I say, numerically guessing here, you have a 20-30% chance for most of your schools. So you’ll probably get into two. Your drumline story sounds unique but I’ve seen alot of high schools with fantastic drum lines.</p>
<p>Do you have any awards to stand you out?</p>
<p>Bring those SAT’s up — they’re killing along with that GPA.</p>
<p>Please elucidate on your strong ECs. Your post was a little vague. </p>
<p>As above stated, GPA and low SAT are gonna keep you down. Definitely study hard for your next SAT. Do you have any hooks(like ethnical background, adversity you’ve overcome, etc)? Also, please elaborate on your ECs and I’ll see if I can help you further.</p>
<p>Do, do, do get that SAT up to 2000. That will help so much–so unbelievably much.</p>
<p>However, when getting it up, try to get it up in a manner so that all your scores are in a fairly equal range (i.e. three 670’s, not one 800 and two 600’s).</p>
<p>Grades</p>
<p>Even if your GPA is a bit low, the upper trend in your grades will make up for that to an extent. An upward trend is always better than anything, so keep it up. Work hard this first semester.</p>
<p>Family Background</p>
<p>You should’ve posted that you’re the first in your family to go to college. If by that, you mean neither of your parents went to college, then you are considered a first generation applicant, and this is a “hook” in admissions.</p>
<p>Being a first generation applicant gives you a significant advantage as admissions officers like to feel as if they are helping students like you out. As a result, they will be a little more lenient on your SAT scores and grades. However, this is NO EXCUSE to let scores or grades slide. Still get them up. If you have a 2000 SAT and strong junior/senior year grades, AND you are first generation, the colleges you are looking at will certainly be impressed.</p>
<p>(I’ll post more in a second post. I need a little time to write it out.)</p>