4.21 GPA weighted with lots of AP and college courses and heavy STEM.
29 on ACT.
BSA Eagle Scout (joined BSA at 16th birthday and completed Eagle by 18th).
American Legion Boys State.
Student Government House Captain (elected).
Wrestling team Captain; varsity 4 years.
Tennis team Captain; varsity 2 years.
HS Ambassador.
HS Founder and President of Car and Aviation Club (3 years).
Senior Retreat Leader.
Worked part time in HS (3 years same job).
HS VP Business of Sports Club.
USCGA Summer AIM and USNA Summer STEM.
Lots of volunteer work with homeless and special needs kids.
National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, Science NHS.
I realize my ACT is my weakness, but I am hopeful it can be overcome with my other attributes and personality. I am doing face-to-face interviews when I can get them.
Michigan, Vanderbilt, and US Service Academies are at the top of my list right now. Secondaries are USD, Villanova, Purdue, A&M, GA Tech, VA Tech, U of Miami.
What state are you from? Do you have any budget limitations or are your parents fine with $320,000 over four years?
Weighted GPA is calculated so differently in different high schools that it does not mean much. Can you either calculate an unweighted GPA, or tell us how many A’s you have versus B’s or anything lower?
How much ACT prep did you do? Are you a high school senior?
And yes I am a senior and did some ACT prep based on what my schedule could tolerate. Wrestling is year round where I live and it is a sport that requires 100%. We won the state championship last year as well, and I have been ranked in the top 3 every year individually and been to Nationals every year. Plus I work, etc. If I take a GAP year I am confident I could get ACT up to 32-34.
Believe it or not, a 29 ACT is not that far off the mark for the service academies, and would not preclude acceptance assuming you have the qualities they are looking for. Looks like you are strong in sports and leadership positions, which should help you with the academies. As far as Vandy and Michigan go, that 29 is probably going to be a deal breaker. Also, have you been recruited anywhere for wrestling? That could substantially improve your odds.
I have decided to move on from wrestling. It has been a good sport for me, but it is time. I would take the ACT again in a few weeks, but I have a cluster of wrestling tournaments right now. Frankly, a gap year well spent at a local 4-year college where I could get minimum full time status while focusing on a better ACT score might just be what is meant to be. I am confident I can get a much higher score with proper prep. I took a shot with minimal prep due to my other obligations, and I failed, but at least failed with effort. I feel good about my HS athletic career, GPA, and leadership roles in school and in the community. I had to help out on the family farm and worked part time, so I did what needed to be done.
a “gap year” and “spent at a local 4 year college” is not a gap year. What I mean is that with a year of credit under your belt you cannot apply as a first time freshman. This could negatively impact your chances for financial and/or merit aid. I’m not sure you would even have to submit an ACT score after a year of college. Usually a gap year is to travel, volunteer, work, etc.
You sound like you may be recruitable for wrestling. If that is the case, the 29 ACT may not be too much of an issue.
If you truly are ready to move on, then yes, a 29 will be a problem at Vandy and UM (especially if you are out of state). Some of those other colleges are a little bit reachy if you plan to go into STEM. I would keep 4-5 of “the secondaries” on your list, but add another likely or two, just in case.
This is super important! I was just about to say the same thing. While there is nothing wrong with taking a year to take classes at a local CC, be sure you understand the difference between applying as an incoming freshman and as a transfer student!
Just saying. It’s late at this point. And late to be “maybe” retaking the ACT. Do you have affordable safeties? You say you have DE and heavy stem courses behind you, but we don’t know what- for some kids that means beyond AP calc and deeper into the sciences, for others, not. And you listed no math/sci activities except Mu. What stem major is this for?
Have you got a rounded list of safeties you’d be happy at? And how dependent on financial aid will you be? Agree, you have to be careful with college classes during a gap. You need to see how each target 4-year college looks at your later status. One or two is fine, as long as you do not marticulate into a “degree granting program.” (And how that works depends on the local college.)
I am comfortable with my safety schools. I am also fine with doing a gap year or going to a state school and focusing on getting a 4.0 and getting my ACT up to 32-34.
I do have STEM activities and am Calc BC and all AP and Honors Science classes with all A’s. Won Science Fair. Got accepted into and went to USNA Summer STEM.
Your responsibility at your farm caught my attention, as I came across a news article about Cornell’s application process, it says:
“Tan [director of admissions of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell] also said that coming from a farm is “absolutely” an advantage in CALS admissions. She explained that the number of students that admission officers see coming from production and agriculture backgrounds is “dwindling,” so they will “take a close look” at those applicants.” Might be worth a try. There might be some boost at Cornell if you are from New York State.
I know that you said your wrestling days are over, but wrestling is alive and well (?) at Cornell. The 25% ACT for Cornell is 32, but it might be worth a try at Cornell.