Chances at First Tier Schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a junior at a prestigious private school in Seattle.</p>

<p>I'm second or third in my class of 65, and have a 4.0 GPA</p>

<p>SATs:
720 Critical Reading
720 Math
770 Writing</p>

<p>SAT IIs:
740 Literature
710 US History</p>

<p>I have only recieved A's and A-'s since freshman year.</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
English - 95%
World History - 98%
Geometry - 91%
Lab Science I - 93%
Latin II - 97%
Musical Theory - 99%
Outdoor Education - 100%</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
English - 96%
European History - 100%
Algebra II - 92%
Lab Science II - 93%
Latin III - 99%
Spanish I - 99%
Lifeskills - 100%</p>

<p>Junior Year:
Honors American Literature - 96%
Honors US History - 98%
Global Issues - 99%
International Studies of the Middle East - 100%
Precalculus - 91%
Bioethics - 99%
Latin IV - 99%
Spanish II - 98%
Stagecraft - 98%</p>

<p>Next year I plan to take:
AP English - probably a 5
AP World History - probably a 5
AP European History - definitely a 5
Calculus - probably ~94%
Honors Advanced Lab Science - probably ~94%
Environmental Science - ~97%
Latin V - probably ~99%
Spanish III - probably ~99%
Studio Art - probably ~98%
Art History - probably ~98%</p>

<p>As I said, my school is really small and does not offer many honors or AP courses...but it is generally considered one of the most prestigious private schools in Washington State. My school does not even offer AP World History, and I'll be taking it independantly (I assume colleges like to see students take the initiative and take courses that they believe will challenge them, even if not offered)</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:
3 years Japanese Club
1 year Latin Club
2 years Italian Club
2 years Environmental Club
2 years JSA
3 years writing and editing for School Newspaper
2 years of Italian Lessons
2 years of German Lessons
I've designed and built the sets for several of my schools' plays and musicals</p>

<p>4 years of Swim Team (though not with my school, with a private club)
3 years of Ski Team (once again, not with my tiny school)
1 year Ultimate Frisbee
2 years leading Outdoor Education Trips</p>

<p>spent 1 month hiking across Italy with my Latin class, studying Archaology and Art History
spent 2 months two consecutive summers building Community Centers in rural Nicaragua for impoverished villages - the second year I planned and organized the trip, developed the itinerary, and brought 12 students from my school down there as a leader
My family has spent a lot of time travelling, as my Grandmother is a National Geographic Photographer and my grandfather was a foreign diplomat, and I've spent time living with the Massai tribe in Tanzania, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, visiting Orphanages in Russia, and travelling extensively through Europe</p>

<p>I know that I have other extra-curriculars too, but I can't think of any right now because it's too early in the morning on a Saturday.</p>

<p>So, my main question is, do I have a chance of getting into the top east-coast schools?
I will be retaking the SAT, SAT IIs, and taking the ACT in the fall (hopefully I'll bring up my CR and Math SAT scores), but even if I don't, what do you think my chances are at these schools:</p>

<p>Dartmouth - top choice, probably going to apply ED (and actually, i have another question...If I apply ED, can i send in my improved SAT II scores after I retake them November 6th? The ED deadline is November 1st for Dartmouth, so can i send in all of my information, and then send them my improved scores two weeks later? Does this work?)</p>

<p>Princeton</p>

<p>Yale</p>

<p>Middlebury</p>

<p>Colgate</p>

<p>Williams</p>

<p>Davidson</p>

<p>Washington and Lee</p>

<p>etc...mostly larger liberal arts schools / smaller private universities</p>

<p>I plan to either double major in International Relations and History, or major in International Relations with a minor in History</p>

<p>Thanks!!!</p>

2

<p>Excellent record. You have a chance but all those schools are highly selective and you should include a safety on your application list to make sure you get into one school. It must be a school you are willing to attend (or it’s not a safety). I assume you don’t need to worry about paying for top schools.</p>

3

<p>While your stats are very good, they are in the bottom half of Princeton’s freshman class</p>

<pre><code>Middle 50% of First-Year Students
</code></pre>

<p>SAT Critical Reading: … 690 - 790<br>
SAT Math: … 700 - 790<br>
SAT Writing: … 700 - 780</p>

<p>As you can see, the top 25% of their students are scoring perfect/near perfect SATs and not all that have such stats get accepted.</p>

<p>You need some back up schools.</p>

<p>Can your parents afford to send you to the school of your choice? If so, then great. If not, then be sure to apply to some financial safety schools (schools your parents can afford and/or schools that will give you big merit for your stats.)</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I’ve got safety schools as well - Colby, University of Denver, Wake Forest, and Willamette…so I think I’m good on that front.</p>

<p>Hopefully if I can boost my SAT scores I’ll get more of a chance with Princeton and other schools :]</p>

5

<p>how are you extrapolating your AP scores for senior year?</p>

6

<p>I’m just making guestimates based on how well I’ve done in the subjects in the past :]</p>

7

<p>Not sure I’d call Colby a safety here. Both SAT l and lls are low for a top college, espcially coming from an elite private school. Thy expect more of kids who’ve had all of the advantages.</p>