<p>I am going to be a senior in the upcoming school year and want to start my college applications this summer. I am a black female from a middle-class family. My mom has not finished college and is currently studying online, if any of that means anything. Here are my stats:</p>
<p>SATs:
First time (March jr. year): CR 710 Math 700 Writing 740- essay 9
Second time (this June): CR 800 Math 800 Writing 730- essay 8
I'm really worried about my essays. How heavily are they weighted?</p>
<p>I haven't taken any SAT IIs but I am thinking I will take English Literature, US History and Math Level 2. Would a high score in English Literature help offset the effects of my low essay scores?</p>
<p>Grades-not counting junior year:
Weighted GPA: 97.8
Unweighted GPA: 96.1
APs: English Language and Composition, Statistics, US History
Next year I am also taking AP European History, Calculus BC, and English Literature and Composition.</p>
<p>I took only honors English freshman year, but for the last two years I was in all honors (except Latin 1 and 2 which is not offered at honors level). Next year I am taking Latin 3 Honors as well as the 3 APs. I also have choir and furniture design level 2. </p>
<p>The only Bs overall I have gotten are in US History 1 Honors and AP English Language.</p>
<p>Does it look bad that I am not taking a science class? I couldn't fit one into my schedule without dropping choir or Latin, and I don't want to be an engineer or anything.</p>
<p>ECs:
Mona Lisa Society for 3 years. It's a club my friend started. We promote women in the arts and have showcases to raise money for Women for Women International. We are moderately successful.
Latin club for 2 years, probably co-president next year.
Certamen for 2 years. Last year we were first in the state of New Jersey.
Key Club for 1 year. I will also do it next year.
Color Guard for 2 years. I am not doing it next year. Instead I am doing the fall play and a film class (I want to study film), and possibly a class at my local community college. Does that look bad?
Spring play for 2 years. I will try to do all three shows next year as well. (It's why I dropped color guard.)
National Honor Society.
I don't qualify for National Latin Honor Society because I switched into it sophomore year and won't have three years until next year when I will qualify.
I do food pantry at my church.
Last summer I went to performing arts camp for four weeks and then worked basically 9-5 for the rest of the summer 5 days a week. This year I am working again.</p>
<p>Awards:
Gold medal for NLE in Latin 1 and 2
1st place in NJ for Certamen level 1 2nd place in central NJ for Certamen level 2
National Merit Commended Scholar with a score of 223. Are my chances good for semifinalist?</p>
<p>I am considering Cornell, Columbia, NYU, Northwestern, Syracuse, Ithaca, Brown, Temple, and UCLA.
I know that was long. Thanks in advance.</p>