Hi everyone! I was trying to convince myself otherwise, but after getting accepted to my first four schools (not counting being deferred at Duke for my ED), I was feeling pretty invincible. I knew (and still know) that it was a long shot for the rest of my schools (list to follow), but I couldn’t help but picture myself opening the acceptances and thinking, yeah, that will happen! Yesterday, I got rejected from WashU, and on one hand I’m really glad because I needed a wake up call! Duh! Obviously I’m not a shoo-in for any schools, let alone top-20 institutions!
So, what do you guys think? Do I have a shot at my remaining schools? I know only time will tell, but hearing some feedback now can’t hurt. I can take criticism, so fire away 
Here’s the list and I’ll put my stats at the end:
• Emory — I applied before November 1 and have been on their mailing list since May/June (which I honestly don’t know if that matters at all but I’m just gonna include that because I’ve heard it could). No visit
• Vanderbilt — lack of demonstrated interest for sure. Mailing list but in like December. Not holding my breath on you, Vandy.
• Duke — (sigh) deferred from ED round (heard that only 2 out of 17 at my old school were deferred so I’ve heard that a deferral isn’t necessarily a rejection?!). Campus visit last year, good interview, mailing list since May/June. Sent a LOCI in Feb and spoke on the phone to my regional rep. Great guy. His name is Steve.
• Penn — campus visit last year, email list.
• Tufts — campus visit sophomore year, mailing list since May/June, great alumna interview.
• Barnard — campus visit sophomore year, mailing list since forever.
Now on me: an online-schooled, caucasian female
Location: South Dakota (grew up in New York, and my freshman year transcript is from there.)
GPA: 4.0 UW / 4.4 W
SAT: 1500 (770 RW / 730 M) (note: spoke to regional reps about SAT IIs and they said to include on my app that I don’t have these scores since the nearest testing center is 3+ hours away)
APs (9 total, 5 in progress): APUSH (5), AP Lang (5), AP Bio (4), AP World (4), + APs Lit, French, Calc AB, Gov, and Psych for senior year.
Essay: personal statement — decent enough, I would say. How being an online school student has shaped me and how it’s contributed to my role as a TA in a special needs classroom: an experience which has made me want to explore business & law in order to recite the healthcare discrepancies in the US.
Recs: one strong one from my assistance principal, another strong one from my boss who has become like a 2nd mother! Hopefully good ones from my history, math, and English teachers of two years (hard to know bc again I am online-schooled)
ECs: super involved in school (online and physical) and local community (volunteering, clubs, etc.) and in leadership roles
• Basic clubs like NHS, Photo Club, newspaper, Student Leadership Board, etc.
• President of our school’s service club and founder of our Mentor Program.
• Also one of two student consultants for the school administration on how the school can be improved.
• 225 hours of food delivery for a personal chef
• 255 hours of nannying from junior year and first half of senior year
• 105 hours as a TA at a special needs school
• 100 hours tutoring peers and younger kids
Hobbies: Rock climbing, piano, photo, guitar, scuba.
Awards: at least 10-12 listed on my resume from various endeavors ie. French contest, science fair, AP scholar, AAUW math & science, etc etc. Nothing too remarkable.
If you took the time to read this, you’re amazing and thank you. Again, all I want o know is if I’m deluding myself in thinking I’ll get into a couple of the schools I listed above.