Hello! I’m currently a Junior in high school. I’m looking to apply to some selective colleges such as UChicago, Barnard College, McGill University, Georgetown, Northwestern, Columbia, etc.
I’d really love for someone to chance me, but the only thing is I haven’t yet taken any standardized tests. I plan to take the ACT, SAT, and 3 SAT II (probably Math 2, Literature, and US History).
Based on what I do have though, what do my current chances look like?
GPA: 3.9 unweighed, I think about 4.3 weighted, but I haven’t checked in a while.
State: VA
Gender: Female
Race: White
School: VERY Uncompetitive Public School of about 700-800 students
Class Rank: I belive I’m in at least the top 5% of my class but I won’t know for certain until next year.
Hook: 1st Gen
APs: Very few offered at my school; I’m taking APUSH this year and plan on taking AP English, AP Calculus, AP Govt, AP Environmental Science (Online), and possibly AP Human Geo (Online)
ECs:
Artwork Shown in Many Local Exhibits
NHS 11
NAHS 10,11
SCA (Vice President) 11
Drama Club 9,10, 11
Tennis 10, 11
100+ Hours of Race Organizing/Set Up with a local Running Company
50+ Hours Library Volunteer
School Musical 10, 11
Founder and President of School Book Club
Founder of School SAT Prep Service
Set Designer for School Musical and various other local productions
Class Treasurer 10, 11
Local Art Center Monthly Intern - Set Up and Assistance at Openings
50+ Hours Math Tutoring
Contributing Writer for School Literary Magazine
I know my ECs aren’t impressive, but I’m really trying to step my game up.
I’m a high school senior and I just got into my first choice school with a 20K scholarship.
Your GPA is good and so are your ECs. You have some good leadership positions, but you should try for more leadership roles before you become a senior (i.e. NHS President, NAHS President)
I can’t really gauge whether or not you’ll get into the schools you listed because you haven’t taken any standardized tests yet. If you can get anywhere from a 2150-2300 on the SAT and/or 32-36 on the ACT, you have a good shot at these schools. Also, try to get anywhere from a 750-800 on the subject tests.
-Depending on what you want to major in, you may have to take certain subject tests. For me, when I tried to apply to Boston University’s BS/DPT program, I found that I had to take the SAT Chemistry subject test. I realized that I did not have enough time to take the test and send the score in so I didn’t even bother applying to BU.
-Your best chance is McGill. I can’t really say much about the other schools. I would apply to some safety schools in your area that have the major you’re looking for (VCU, Virginia Tech, UMD, etc.)
As a first-gen college student with those extra-curriculars you should have a solid chance at getting in to some of those schools - although bear in mind that when you get to schools that selective, even the best of the best are crapshoots. That said, you will probably get in to 1 or 2, although as TomSr said it will hinge on the strength of your test scores. It will be very difficult to get in to any of those schools if you fall short of a 2100 or a 32.