<p>Hello, I am Puerto Rican and am currently a high school junior in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. I go to an extreamly demanding high school that does not offer AP cources. The average gpa at my school is a 2.76 on a 4.3 scale. I cannot wait to go to college and am working very hard this year. I had a horrible sophormore year and my gpa went down. The thing that particularly bothers me is that the teachers grade very hard at my school, and I do not think that most colleges will think of my school as demanding because of no AP classes. My school does not rank but if it did, I would definatly be ranked in the top 20 %. I have over 1000 community service hours thanks to an intensive summer and the beginning of my junior year. My grade dip is due to emotional problems i faced with my parents thinking of getting divorced and having a radical move to Florence, Italy, and then having to come back within a couple of months. This year I am doing much better and am very focused. I will be getting a six hr. job in Florence over the summer for no pay. I am also an avid photographer and am developing a portfolio. I am very determined and hope that my sophomore grades don't kill my chances. </p>
<p>My Grades (GPA) :
9th Grade: 3.3
10th Grade: 2.7
11th Grade: 3.7 thus far (will raise)</p>
<p>Will be taking tests for AP English Language and AP Spanish Language
Will be taking SAT II in English, Spanish as well
Will be taking SAT I- Aiming for 2100, most likely 2000</p>
<p>I am fully fluient in Spanish, Italian and some of French</p>
<p>Over 1000 Hrs. Community Service</p>
<p>My dream school is University of Miami; I will be applying to UM as well as NYU, USC, UT at Austin, BU and other similar colleges. </p>
<p>I would like to know what I will need to do in terms of test grades, essays and GPA improvement in order for me to have chances for these schools. If ED should I apply to a school like NYU or will that kill my chances at university of miami. Which one will I have a better chance in. </p>
<p>Any feedback so ever would be extreamly helpful. Please feel free to say anything.</p>