Hi! Chance me’s are probably annoying to answer, but I would really appreciate somebody’s input! I’m for sure applying to the schools in the title and am still considering schools of similar stature. I want to enter college as a pre-med Bio major.
Course Load:
– I’ve only taken honors and AP, unless they weren’t offered
– I’ll graduate having taken 9 AP’s (I’ve gotten fives on the five I’ve taken so far, except for apush )
Testing: ***I’m gonna take each one more time
ACT: 32
– English: 30
– Math: 33
– Reading: 34
– Science: 31
SAT: 1430
– E/R: 700
– M: 730
Extracurriculars:
– Student Body President (I’ve been involved with Stuco all of high school)
– Winter Days Hair Chair (My school’s biggest community service project that donates to 11 local charities. I like to think it’s a big deal bc I’m proud of it. Idk. Been apart all of high school)
– Dance Marathon Executive Board Member (Drive for Children’s Miracle Network)
– Palmetto Boys State
– Chair of my school pageant (4 Years)
– I work for a local photobooth company (Junior summer and senior year)
– I did a paid internship at a local children’s museum
– Math, Science, and Social Studies Honors Societies
– HOSA
– SCASC
– SASC
Random:
– Neither of my parents graduated college (idk if this matter, some say it does and some say it doesn’t)
– I have some state published environmental research
Your ECs are weak making all the top 20 schools basically reaches. I recommend finding something during the summer that you can invest yourself in and make an impact in that certain activity.
Thanks for the input!!! What would you personally recommend? I proposed the idea of a district wide food bank for my school district and am in the process of developing/preparing for it alongside my school board and organizations in my city (didn’t include it because it’s kinda hard to explain and a work in progress). I know the idea of being a pioneer or creator of clubs/organizations/really anything is highly regarded in the application process. Do you think this gives me a better chance to stand out?
Jeez those ECs are weak to you @xfewds ??? I see tons of involvement with OP’s school, leadership, service, and a strong student with a hook of neither parent graduating college.
OP, if you’re very proud of Winter Days, then make sure that your colleges know it! I think the one spot that you are weaker on is definitely your standardized test scores. Keep in mind all of the schools you listed are high reaches for everyone.
@Syrxis Thank you so much! I hate to pick your brain, but how would you recommend to let them know I’m proud of it? I’ve had so many successful college applicants tell me not to make my common app essay a resume, so I’m not sure if that’s the right place to put it. Maybe my hours and years spent on the application will be sufficient?
Perhaps in the Additional Information section about your activites you can talk about Winter Days. There would also be plenty of opportunity to talk about it in other essays, supplements. You could take an anecdote from your experience and make it into your common app essay. I feel like its probably something that shows a lot about your personality and character which I think is the most important part about that essay
And also, I actually believe your ECs are strong!! You’ve had an internship, student government, a job, volunteered, honors societies. You’ve clearly been busy! If only one more thing, i think it would be interesting if you maybe pursued something additionally in an area you’re truly passionate about. Maybe something you’ve always wanted to you, something you’d think “that’d be so cool if i did that” and then do it! I feel like that would be something you could do if you wanted to work on ECs
I agree: don’t make your essay a resume but I would understand that to mean more of, don’t make it a list of achievements from birth to senior year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t talk about one thing, Winter Days, in depth. For example, maybe an interaction with a charity while working for Winter Days really affected you or maybe a past experience with an issue that one of the charities addresses lead you to dedicate yourself to Winter Days.
That being said, if you’d rather write about something else that is even stronger, don’t hesitate to do that either because your hours/years doing it would be a pretty good indicator.
I think you have a good GPA and ECs but like others have said, you might want to retake your main exams as you are a bit under the 50% mark. Aim for something near a 34 ACT or 1540 SAT. Additionally, consider taking subject tests, maybe something like Math II, Bio, Chem, or Physics since you have a pre med interest.
)