Chances for Ivy Leagues?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I was wondering what my chances are of getting into some of the Ivy Leagues and other very selective schools. Any feedback and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am a 16-year-old Asian (Chinese) female and currently a senior at a private school in Tennessee. I am planning on going into something with biology, maybe biomedical engineering or microbiology.

GPA: 4.5 (weighted but includes non-core classes)
AP’s (total of 9): 10th-World History (5), Statistics (5);
11th-US History (5), Language and Composition (5), Biology (5);
12th (current)-Calculus BC, Psychology, English Literature, French Language
I have also taken a total of 10 honors classes.

ACT: 34 (English 35, Math 31, Reading 34, Science 35)
SAT: 1500 (new 1600 scale)

Planning on taking ACT and SAT again this fall. I know I need to focus on math, and I can probably bring my ACT up to a 35.

EC: Youth in Government, Model UN, Literary Magazine Staff, Student Ambassador, Mathletes, Big Sister Program, SAP Sorority (25+ service hours), National Honor Society

Awards: Headmaster’s List(4.0 or above)-9th,10th,11th, French Class Award (highest numerical grade), National French Exam-3rd in state, University of Chicago Book Award

For the past 3 years, I have volunteered all summer at a camp. I help in the kitchen and am a cabin leader to girls ages 7-15.
I have recommendations from my biology teacher and my French teacher. Both have had me for 2+ years, so I think they will be very good. My counselor and I are very close, so it should be really good as well.

Please tell me my chances of getting into the following schools (scholarship chances would be nice too):
Northwestern University
University of Virginia
University of Pennsylvania
Johns Hopkins University
Brown University
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Stanford University

Thanks for your help!

2

All of those schools on your list are reaches mainly because your EC’s don’t really stand out. Leadership? SAT Subject Tests? Make sure to apply to more matches.

3

I’m in YIG, too! Do you hold any leadership positions? Your stats are fantastic and definitely are good enough for the ivies, so I would focus more on your essays and rec letters.

4

I am planning on taking a few SAT subject tests this fall. As for leadership, this year I am planning on helping out with leading the younger students at my school, and I will probably help out with YoungLife. Thanks!

5

Is the 4.5 GPA weighted out of a 5.0 scale? Generally speaking, if you’re going for a biology based fields, colleges (especially ivy leagues), will want to see some sort of EC that pertains to the field you plan on majoring in. To me, there’s some sort of disconnect in your app. You want to go into a biomedical engineering/microbiology, but your ECs have a focus on politics (i.e youth in government, model un). I agree that your stats are fine, but sub 20% schools are going to be looking for people that show a certain passion and dedication for what they want to do.

6

The 4.5 is on a 5.0 scale. And yes, I agree completely. The problem is that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do until I took AP Biology as a junior, so I haven’t had too much time to get involved in those kinds of activities. I definitely will work on that this year though! Thanks so much!!

7

They’re all reaches. Not just because of a lack of ECs, but also perhaps because all these schools are sub 20% acceptance and are reaches for everyone. Maybe more matches, heard Boston University has a good medical program, though I’m not very knowledgeable for med.

8

No problem! I think a strong potential essay topic, for you especially, is how you developed your eventual interest in biology (i.e how did attending AP Biology / what specific experiences and instances help you realize that your interest lies in science).

9

Northwestern University - low reach
University of Virginia - low reach
University of Pennsylvania - reach
Johns Hopkins University - high match
Brown University - reach
Columbia University - reach
Dartmouth College - low reach
Stanford University - reach

Chance me back pls!