<p>Hi,
First off, this is my first post on the boards but I've been browsing for several months and decided it was time to get down to business with college apps. It's been overwhelming to say the least and seeing all the vast amounts of info has been hard to digest. This is especially true when you see all the posts from Ivy League caliber students; it actually gets to be a bit discouraging. Nevertheless, I was hoping to get some insight on an individual level so here's more about me. This is going to be a long post so thanks in advance for reading/replying.</p>
<p>I'm a first-generation Asian male at an extremely competitive high school that is top 10 in my state (NJ) and top 500 in the nation (according to Newsweek). </p>
<p>1st 3 years- Unweighted GPA= 3.71
(My school does not use +'s or -'s with grades, only A, B, C, etc.)</p>
<p>Freshman: Honors Biology, Honors Eng, Geometry, Spanish 2, World Civ, Elective, Gym
- Received all A's</p>
<p>Sophomore: Honors Chem, Honors Eng, Honors Algebra 2, Spanish 3, APUSH I, Elective, Gym
- Received all B's except for APUSH, Elective, Gym</p>
<p>Junior: Honors Physics, Honors Eng, Precalculus, Honors Spanish 4, APUSH II, Elective, Gym
- Received all A's except for Physics and Spanish</p>
<p>Currently, in my senior year, I'm taking AP Eng, AP Economics, AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science, Sociology, and Int'l Relations.</p>
<p>I'm not happy with my SAT scores but it is what it is...
SAT I: 670 Math/670 CR/630 Writing (Will take again in Oct and hoping these rise to around 2100 combined)
SAT II's: 720 US History/650 Chem (I plan on taking Math 1 and Lit in November)</p>
<p>EC's/Volunteering:
-Newspaper- on staff 9-10th grade, editor 11th, Co-editor-in chief 12th
-Chorus 11th and 12th
-National Honors Society/Spanish Honors Society 11th and 12th
-Summer Internship twice a week at army base before senior year
-2 week volunteer trip/mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina summer before senior year (about 60 hours)
- Working at Catholic convent in Harlem- serving at soup kitchen, cleaning, etc (past 2 years periodically on weekends, about 50 hours)
- Volunteer at local tennis club at kids' tournaments (about 75 hours)
- Play tennis and guitar (however, this is outside of school) </p>
<p>Safety School:
Rutgers</p>
<p>Targets:
NYU
BC
University of Michigan
University of Virginia
University of Illinois</p>
<p>Reach:
Georgetown
Northwestern</p>
<p>Others I'm thinking about:
College of William and Mary
Vassar</p>
<p>I'm currently undecided on what exactly I want to study but journalism, int'l relations, sociology, and environmental studies do interest me. Also, I prefer an urban area or close to one (by mass transit). Financial aid also is not a must.
Am I in the realm of possibility for these schools considering my very average stats (and very competitive high school)?
Can I have help with any other school suggestions? Thank you!</p>