Chances for UVA, UMich, Georgia Tech, Hopkins, Wisconsin, UMD, PSU?! HELP!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys, I made a previous post about 6 months ago. But, now that I am a senior, I thought I'd make another one. I need some help.</p>

<p>Colleges I'm looking at: Johns Hopkins, UVA, UMaryland, UMichigan, Georgia Tech, Penn State, UWisconsin-Madison.</p>

<p>Background:
- 100% Turkish (American born, parents are immigrants)
- Most of my family lives overseas
- English was my second language. Growing up as a kid, I learned Turkish first.
- Culturally rounded</p>

<p>School:
- Small private school located in Annapolis, Maryland
- Roughly 500 students or so in the entire high school
- I am in a very competitive senior class (Students with 4.0s are still in the 20s out of 159 students).</p>

<p>Scores:
- SAT: 550 Critical Reading (Yes, I know, sub-par), 640 Math, 670 Writing (9 on the essay). Total: 1860 (one sitting)</p>

<ul>
<li>GPA: 3.81 Weighted</li>
<li>Rank: 42 out of 159
My freshmen year really brings down my GPA. If it wasn't for my freshmen year, I'd have a 4.0+ (weighted). I'm quite disappointed since I know that I am capable of doing much better.</li>
</ul>

<p>At my school, APs are worth just as much as Honors, therefore I've never really taken many APs - just mostly Honors. I will be taking AP Computer Science as a senior.</p>

<p>Grades: Mostly A's with some B's every now and then. I've had one C in my whole life, and it was a 79.4% that I got as a freshman.</p>

<p>Activitives/ECs/Other:</p>

<p>Achievements:
- Took part in the Johns Hopkins Gifted & Talented Search
- Honor Roll Student Grades 9-12 including achieving Principals Honors</p>

<p>Leadership:
- Three-year member of the Junior Civitan Club which helps organize and run activities such as the blood drive and other volunteer work</p>

<p>Activities:
- Worked part-time in retail – Junior year and Senior year
- JV Football – Freshmen year
- JV Basketball – Freshman and Sophomore year
- JV Wrestling – Junior year
- Varsity Wrestling – Junior and Senior year
- Varsity Soccer – Senior year
- Junior Civitan Club – Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year.
- Frisbee Club - Senior year
- Traveling – All four years.
- Weight Training – All four years.
- Runs a part-time business – All four years.
- Instrumentalist/Musician – All four years.
- Sports Camps – All four years.</p>

<p>Other:
- Very self-dependent and uses an honorable and principled method of conduct
- Volunteer activities include:
a.) Organizing and running the blood drive
b.) Volunteer Work at Boys & Girls Club
c.) Camp Counselor
- Runs a part-time business which deals with buying and selling vintage collectibles and sports memorabilia. Traveler – has traveled overseas numerous times and is culturally rounded since most family members live overseas. Instrumentalist - has played the cello since early childhood. Excels on the athletic field as well as in academics - has maintained solid academic stature while being a part of numerous sports teams. Active with children – has cared after the children of numerous neighbors when asked.</p>

<p>So, I'm not the greatest student out there, but I'm not too shabby, either. I'm pretty well rounded. I know that when I work hard and fully apply myself, I'm capable of being just as good as anybody out there. So what do you guys think? Thanks in advance for any help and opinions.</p>

2

<p>Even though you learned Turkish first, which language do you know better? If you know English better, which may very well be the case, I don't think Enlgish should be considered your second language since if it is they primary one you use today.
Anyway, you seem like an above average applicant. You've done many activities, but you lack leadership. The Civitan club does not necessarily qualify as leadership unless you were president/VP/secretary etc.
Colleges will look favorably on your trend of improvement in your grades.
I think you'll get into Penn State and U Maryland. You have a shot at the others but your test scores and grades may keep you down.
All that said, being Turkish is definitely going to help you. Maybe do an essay about that?</p>

3

<p>Honestly, I could see you getting rejected at all of those. I dont think you have a shot in the world at UVA or Hopkins. Michigan is going to be extremely difficult and so will Tech because math score is key there (from what I know).</p>

4

<p>^ Really? Rejected from all of them? Penn State and Maryland (simply because I'm in-state) are my safes.</p>

5

<p>Oh, and John, I know English better, although Turkish is the primary language spoken at home. I was born and raised in the U.S.</p>

6

<p>Good chances at Penn State and Univ. of Maryland. Johns Hopkins and Univ. of Virginia are unlikely to admit you. Georgia Tech and Wisconsin are possible. Michigan is a reach. You might want to consider Syracuse University, although I am not sure of your intended major. It is very hard to get into Virginia as a non-resident.</p>

7

<p>I dont know how residency works in both PA and MD, but I dont think you'll get in state for both.</p>

8

<p>^ When I said "simply because I'm in-state", I was only referring to Maryland. Sorry for the confusion.</p>

9

<p>Oh. Well I think you definitely have a good shot at UMD, but nothing is automatic anymore.</p>

10

<p>^ Thanks.</p>

<p>Bump. Anybody else?</p>

11

<p>Rejected at UVA. Sorry, but your scores are low even if you were someone instate.</p>

12

<p>Retake SAT and your in at all except Hopkins</p>

13

<p>Thanks for the responses. Bump.</p>

14

<p>i would suggest applying ed if you have a clear cut favorite between hopkins and uva (your two apparent reaches) because that should give you a better chance. hopkins is really big on math and science though so you will probably want to raise your math score if possible. you should definitely get into umd being in state, im from maryland too and i know how much of an advantage that is haha. you should also get into penn state. maybe you should consider finding some good match schools that you like</p>