Chances? Duke, UNC, Notre Dame, UVA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a rising senior from a Catholic prep school.
As of right now, I’m applying to American, Boston College, Davidson, Duke, Seton Hall, Syracuse, William and Mary, UNC, Notre Dame, UVA, and Villanova. I realize half of these are reaches, but I’ve been getting mixed signals from my counselors, parents, other websites, etc. about my acceptance chances. I’m not as concerned with America, Seton Hall, Syracuse, or Villanova (?) as am I with the rest.

GPA: 3.7 unweighted/4.0 weighted
SAT: n/a
ACT: 32 (35 english/28 math/32 reading/34 science)
Class Rank: Top 25% (out of 150 students) but the ranking system for my school is changing due to the high scores of a large portion of the classes. As of right now, there is barely any difference between the student ranked 5th and 50th.

Honors English: 3 years (taking regular class senior year due to scheduling conflicts)
Honors Math: 4 years (Honors Algebra 2, Honors Geometry, Pre-Calculus/College Algebra, AP Statistics)
Foreign Language: 3 years ( French 1, French 2, Honors French 3: credit through local community college)
Science: 4 years (Physical science, Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology)
Theology: 4 years (graduation requirement)
History: 4 years (World Studies, AP European History, US History, Government/Honors Economics)

EC-
Work Experience: (all during the school year)
Math tutor
Referee for elementary school volleyball
Nursery coordinator at local church
Volunteering: about 400 hours total from summer before junior year to senior year.
Time spent at: leadership program at University of Oregon, preschool for at-risk children, the NICU in a
local hospital, my family’s parish, and my old elementary/middle school.
Other Activities:
Member of the Christian Leadership Class (40 juniors were selected for a two year intensive religion/leadership class)
4 years in the volleyball program; 2 years on varsity
Founder/President of the Cupcake Club (provides funds for other clubs at my school)
National Honors Society from 11th-12th grade
Established “The Student Fund” in which we coordinate activities that benefit students at my school who cannot afford to buy yearbooks, go on retreats, etc.
Newspaper editor
Playing piano for 10 years, performed in competitions at my school

2

@isa1520
American - yes
Boston College - probably(play up your religion)
Davidson - definitely possible
Duke - no
Seton Hall - yes
Syracuse - yes
William and Mary - reach(probably no)(english rigor is questionable(because no AP)
UNC - maybe
Notre Dame - reach maybe
UVA - reach (no)
Villanova - yes
Overall - just being brutally honest - your academic aren’t going to get you into the majority of the colleges on your list, save American, Villanova, Seton Hall and syracuse. What you do have is you really solid extracurriculars, like really good extracurriculars, a dedication to your school and altruistic spirit. In addition you have a catholic education and a demonstrated commitment to religion and Christianity, which might be what gets you into Notre Dame and BC because they are so religious. For Notre Dame and Boston College, Notre Dame especially, your catholic school education and your christian leadership is going to be what is going to get you in, unfortunately your academics aren’t there. Really play that up, and if you know anybody who went to Notre Dame (80% of those accepted are legacy), have them write you a rec. For UNC, do you live in North Carolina? If you do, you will get in, because 90% of accepted students at UNC are for NC and your academics and ec’s are strong enough. Unfortunately, I see no chance for Duke and UVA

3

Thank you so much for your honesty! I really appreciate it, as I haven’t been able to get an unbiased opinion yet. I realize that my academics aren’t the strongest, which is why I really focus on work outside of school. Thanks for the advice about Notre Dame and Boston, I believe that I can get a letter for Notre Dame. I actually don’t live in North Carolina, but I love the lifestyle and atmosphere, which is why I’m applying to three schools there. Duke has always been my dream school for as long as I can remember, but I’ve always considered it a very distant dream. I will be applying early decision, but I know I can’t get my hopes up. Thanks for your help!

4

I think Notre Dame is a real reach. But BC and Villanova likely