Chances for top colleges: Georgetown, Northwestern, Tufts, etc.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Gender: Female
Race: Asian (Bangladeshi)
Grade: Senior
Intended Major: History/International Relations

UW GPA: 3.97 (one B one semester)
Rank: officially N/A, but counselor said I’m in the top 5%, won’t be on my app though
AP Exams: 9th: Human Geography (5); 10th: European History (5); 11th: APUSH (5), Biology (5), APES (5), English Language (5), Calculus AB (3)
Senior Schedule: AP English Lit; AP Statistics; AP Comp Gov/American Gov; AP Physics C: Mechanics; AP Macroeconomics/Microeconomics; Art I H
[most rigorous courseload designation]

ACT: 36 (36 E, 35 M, 36 R, 36 S)
SAT II: Literature-800, US History-780, Biology-740
PSAT: 1480/1520, SI: 224, likely NMSF

ECs:

  • Mock Trial: President (11-12), Best Attorney (x2)
  • Academic Games: VP (10), President (11-12), National Champion in the history event, top 3 for the event at nationals for 5 years (been involved in club since 2nd grade, attended nationals since 5th; club is my life but not as large as most competitions, so idk how valuable my awards will be)
  • Key Club: VP (11-12), organized and participated in miscellaneous fundraisers and volunteering activities
  • Arts Club: random arts and crafts activities that are just fun or for fundraising events
  • Research Internship in Biochem Lab: summer before junior year, helped me realize I didn’t want to pursue a career in research and helped me decide to pursue my real passion: history
  • Digital Transcription Volunteer: transcribing historical documents for the Smithsonian/National Archives online for fun, transcribed/reviewed ~1800 pages
  • Other clubs (Science Olympiad, Mu Alpha Theta, Book Club, etc. but they aren’t very important to me and I don’t think I’ll mention them)

Rec letters: One of them should be very good because the teacher has a reputation for writing amazing rec letters and specifically asked to write mine, the other one will probs be kinda generic- the teacher knows me well but isn’t the greatest writer

Colleges:
JHU
Georgetown
Northwestern
Tufts

So, do I have a chance at these colleges? I know my stats are good enough, but I’ve been told my ECs are weak since I spent most of hs focused on one club. I do have less selective schools on my list, but I want to know if I should aim lower if I don’t have a chance at these schools. Thank you!

2

I think you have a shot at all those schools. Your ECs are fine and the history focus tells a narrative about you. I see a potential common app essay topic in how you described your lab experience.

Just make sure you have matches and 2 safeties. Given your interest in history and IR, consider adding brown. For safeties/matches: AU, GW. And if you’re willing to attend an all-women institution, Wellesley.

3

You absolutely have a great chance at these schools. Top 5% of your class! Your GC will get that info into letter of rec. 36. Many 5s on APs. You are transcribing documents for fun for Smithsonian. I think you have a great chance. It’s only on CC where a kid with your stats would doubt yourself.

4

Welcome to Tufts. Great IR program…

5

Thank you for the responses! I really appreciate it.

Any other opinions?

6

Bump…