Hello, I’m an upcoming high school senior from Rhode Island and very overwhelmed searching for a college choice that suits me. I would love to major in neuroscience/ cognitive behavior and then eventually, and hopefully med school. My unweighted cumulative GPA is 3.58, whereas weighted is 8.83. By the end of my junior year, I was ranked 23/177, so I am within the top 15%. I took the SAT scores once in June in which I received mediocre scores. Two sections were omitted from the test, and I am not sure if that impacted my score. I am a very anxious test taker and the time constraints often prevent me from finishing the test. I am retaking the SAT in October and the ACT in September, which I am hoping to do well on considering that I have heard it is very straightforward. I am also involved in extracurriculars, especially music. I play the French Horn and participate in my high school band, All State orchestra, and compete in in-state and out of state festivals, and I also take private lessons. I also am a member of class council, student council, and the National Honor Society. I also hostess at a local retirement home, where I also volunteer in addition to many other local organizations. Considering my current performance, would schools such as Bucknell, Bates, University of Pittsburgh, and Lehigh be too much of a reach? They all have great neuroscience or similar programs, and high acceptance rates for EA/ED. Do I have a shot at any of these schools and are there any suggestions? I would also like to stay in the northeast.
I meant to say weighted is 3.83
Being completely honest and speaking from the perspective of a college student, I think those schools aren’t too much of a reach so if you apply to all 3 I think you can get into at least 1 maybe 2. (not saying you cant get into all 3 but idk their acceptance rates i just am saying from what i’ve heard). I dont think you’d be able to get into an ivy with that gpa but u never know. Its just my opinion so its not like it matters.
@earth897 Not looking for an ivy, as they are extremely competitive and look for near perfect stats. Just hoping for a small liberal arts/ smaller state school with a decent neuroscience program.
Pittsburgh is a different type/class/experience of schools than the other three - it is urban and not a small LAC
How bad were your SAT scores? and what realistically can you get?
Lastly - what really differentiates you from other applicants?
Here are the 25th/75th percentile ACT scores for the colleges you listed:
Bates: 30/32
Lehigh: 28/32
Bucknell: 27/32
University of Pittsburgh: 26/30
You want to get yourself into this range, ideally the upper half.