Chances for ivy league / top universities?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello,

I’m currently a high school junior in Turkey with an interest to apply to some of the top US universities. The reason I want to apply to top universities is because I would rather stay in my country and get in one of the national top universities as it will both cost my family less and will be easier for me academically than applying to average US universities. Therefore, to make the quickest decision possible to have enough time to study for national universities, I want to know if I still have chances to get in a top US university.

My yearly score averages out of 100 are:
9: 89.07
10: 86.15
I predict 11th will be around 86 as well.

I am an IB student with:
SL English A
SL Turkish A
SL Business & Management
HL Mathematics
HL Physics
HL Chemistry

I have the most rigorous class picks possible.

My first SAT was in January, and I got 1990 (520/760/710)
I had 2 maths and writing multiple-choice mistakes. My essay received an 8.
I am very comfortable with maths and I think I will easily get an 800. For writing, I think I will need some practice on the essay and afterwards I can push up to 800 too. However, I’m worried in Reading. I haven’t been good in literature. In general, my 67 and 73 Turkish, and 76 English grades at school get my grade average down.

Therefore, to considerably improve my SAT possibly up to 2400 (which I’m willing to spend a lot of effort for), I need to get my reading and literary understanding much better. I had 7 out of 19 sentence completion and 19 out of 48 passage-based reading mistakes. I will need to learn a wide range of vocabulary and practice reading comprehension a lot. This is why I want to make sure if it’s worth investing that much effort and time into SATs and getting my GPA higher.

I also will take SAT subject tests Math II, Physics, and Chemistry. I’m aiming to get 800 in all of them. The reason why I’m comfortable with Maths is because I have received certain Maths awards in olympiads and am widely known for my Maths skills at school which I can reflect in my applications.

I don’t know how my score averages will be converted into GPA. I’m around ~40th in score average at my school. However, roughly 25 out of those 40 do not take IB and have much easier classes. I think my grades will be weighted and receive extra points in conversion to GPA, although I’m not sure what the value will be.

What would you recommend me to do? Would an increase in the second semester and 12th grade in my GPA and 800 subject tests with around 2300-2400 SAT allow me to get into top universities? Or will my previous grades ruin my chances? I am not going to be applying for financial aid if that increases my chances of getting enrolled. Furthermore, I’m planning to spend the summer to study for the upcoming IB exams in November. I believe a high IB grade would increase my chances ( aiming for 40/45). If academically my scores will be okay, I’m pretty sure my teachers will write promising recommendations regarding me. I can also spend some time in summer doing some activities such as voluntary work at the hospital my father works.

Thanks!

2

What extracurriculars do you do? Also, you say that you’re ranked around 40th…out of how many people?

As it stands, it seems like the Ivies will be high reaches for you.

3

40th out of roughly 250 students.
Extracurriculars:
Part of a junior achievement company created this year with friends that has raised $3000
Member in school’s engineering club
Member in school’s maths club
Player in school’s soccer team
Could do peer tutoring

As I’m an IB student, I’ll naturally have to do some extracurriculars over the next few months for filling CAS. For CAS, I’m planning to improve my guitar playing and do voluntary work at a hospital. I have participated in administrating some conferences at the school which parents attended. That’s roughly all… I know it’s not much, but I could improve depending on the chances.

4

OP: Of course, this depends on your definition of a “a top US university.” However, if you are referring to institutions such as Stanford, Northwestern, Chicago, Duke, Vanderbilt, Georgetown, Notre Dame, the Ivies, etc., I believe they would likely be a LONG reach for you. Here’s why:

  1. Your current SAT I results (aggregate 1990 score) are far below the norm for such universities (as I am sure you’re aware). A 400+ point increase, which you indicate you’ll diligently attempt to achieve, is VERY difficult to attain. Obviously, you should try to do so, but an improvement of that magnitude is quite rare.
  2. Your rough class rank (84 percentile) is also well below these institutions’ standards, which means your “converted GPA” may not be especially high or competitive.

I want to add two essential points:

  1. There is still time for you to improve your grades and – certainly – your standardized test results.
  2. There are many EXCELLENT American universities – not quite of the same stature or selectivity, but nevertheless outstanding - for which you probably can qualify. You may wish enlarge your search to encompass many of these schools.

I wish you good luck.