Hi guys so I’m currently a sophomore in high school and i want to see what are my chances in the colleges below that I’m interested in. I don’t have many extra curriculars and but I’m always looking for advice to improve.
I plan on majoring in English & Asian Studies.
Colleges I’m considering:
University of Michigan (I know the chances are highly unlikely)
DePauw University
Denison University
University of Tennessee
Rhodes Colleges
Washington College
SUNY Geneseo
SUNY Binghamton
Lawrence University
University of Dayton
Washington & Jefferson College
Dickinson college
Gettysburg College
Rhodes College
University of Washington
William Peace University
College of Wooster
Boston College
College of New Jersey
University of Pittsburg
Current GPA: 3.8 out of 4 (4.28 weighted)
Freshman Year:
All honors classes
Semester one: All A’s & one B+
Semester two: All A’s
Sophomore Year:
All Honors Classes & AP Psych
Semester one: All A’s & two B’s (one in AP class)
Semester two: undecided but so far all A’s
Junior & Senior Year:
Full IB Diploma
Classes:
IB History HL
IB English HL
IB Biology HL
IB Music HL
IB Math SL
IB Spanish Ab Intio
Theory of Knowledge
Extra Curriculars So Far:
Tutoring (9 & 10)
Diplomat (planning on in 11)
Spring Play (9 & 10)
Speech team (10)
Volunteer & Service projects (9&10)
Asian Club Vice President (9&10)
Private Violin Lessons (10)
Poetry Blog & social media (10)
& in other clubs
No awards so far.
Race: Asian
Gender: Female
First generation: yes
School: competitive private
In U. S.
Start expressing interest at the smaller schools.
Start talking budget with your parents.
Right now you’re not the right track.
Since you live in Ohio, go visit Denison, Oberlin, Wooster, Case, Ohio U, Ohio State, and UCincinnati. It should give you an idea of various colleges, their vibe and their environment.
Budget/financial considerations are the first step, talk with your parents about what they can contribute each year to college. If they are working on their taxes, ask them to sit down with you and run the Net Price Calculator at a few schools – the online calculator asks for income, assets, information, and identifies the Expected Family Contribution (how much you pay) plus how much in “grants” – basically a discount from the full cost of attendance – and loans or work study expected.
Also, keep in mind that out of state public schools – like Washington, Pittsburgh or SUNY schools-- will be much more expensive than your own in state schools, unless a student qualifies for automatic merit awards based on their gpa and test scores. Ohio has some wonderful in-state public options, including Miami of Ohio, OSU, Ohio University so spend some time looking at the costs and possible automatic scholarships at the Ohio public universities.
Broadly, a full IB diploma candidate with a 3.8 and ACT over 30 will be competitive for admission to Denison, Gettysburg, Rhodes etc. Competitive means “in the mix” – it is not a guarantee or a sure thing, just means that a student will get a serious look and could be admitted or denied. You might take a look at Centre College in Kentucky, that has a lot of overlap in terms of community with Wooster and others, as well as Earlham just across the border in Indiana, not too far from Miami of Ohio.