Chances for Various Southeastern & Western Schools - Updated Situation & Stats!!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Disclaimer: My post is extremely long. I apologize in advance, but I believe all the information is relevant to my questions. </p>

<p>Anyone who saw my previous post may recall my previous situation: parents providing no college funding, fairly ineligible for financial aid, pretty much was forced into going wherever I could get a full ride. See my last thread [thread=525255]here[/thread].</p>

<p>But! I think they have given in. I had a conversation about college with my mom the other day and I just told her about how Duke and Emory and Rice and whatnot would be really great schools to go to, and she was just like, "You never know, maybe somehow you'll get the money..." suspiciously hinting that she may have had a change of heart but still wants me to understand the value of education and stuff like that. And a conversation with my dad basically confirmed that they would give me money if I needed it, he just didn't say how much. So I figure I can go to UGA with Hope and my parents will pay for room & board, if nothing more. But, my mom's comment leads me to believe I might be able to get away with more than that... I don't know. But I'm going to try anyways.</p>

<p>So, what are my chances, College Confidential?</p>

<p>Applying to:
University of Georgia (EA)
Tulane University (EA)
Emory University
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis
Rice University
Duke University
Stanford University (This one is iffy... Depending largely on input from you guys)</p>

<p>White male
Georgia resident
High school: North Hall High School - Public, average
Intended major: English & Theatre</p>

<p>GPA: 3.92 (unweighted); 4.38 (weighted)
Class rank: 11 out of 198; Top 6%
SAT: 2040
- Reading: 700
- Math: 660
- Writing: 680
<a href="Note:%20will%20be%20taking%20SATII's%20in%20Literature,%20Mathematics%20Lv.%202,%20and%20French">size=-2</a>[/size]
ACT: 33
- English: 35
- Math: 33
- Reading: 34
- Science: 28
<a href="Note:%20will%20be%20retaking%20the%20ACT%20several%20times">size=-2</a>[/size]
AP:
- U.S. History: 3
- Language: 4 or 5 (expected)
- Government: 3 or 4 (expected)
<a href="Note:%20these%20are%20all%20the%20AP%20courses%20my%20school%20has%20offered%20me%20thus%20far.%20Will%20be%20taking%206%20more%20next%20year">size=-2</a>[/size]
PSAT: 202; National Merit Commended</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
National Art Honors Society
- 3 Years; Sophomore, Junior, & Senior
- Vice-President</p>

<p>International Thespian Society <a href="Drama%20Club">i</a>*
- 2 Years; Junior & Senior
- Historian/Librarian
- Involved in 5 productions Junior year:
[ul][li]Once Upon a Mattress: Ensemble[/li][li]How to Eat like a Child: Ensemble[/li][li]The Curious Savage: Backstage Technical Work[/li][li]Fools: Sheep[/li][li]Oliver!: Noah Claypole[/ul][/li] - Will be involved in 6 more productions Senior year, one of which I will hopefully be directing.
- Awards: Spotlight Award, 2007-08</p>

<p>Improvisational Theatre Troupe
- 2 Years; Junior & Senior
- Co-Leader
- Student-Run, concieved last year
- Performed 3 shows Junior year; will be performing 3 more Senior year
- Personally integrating Clowning & Physical Comedy during Senior year</p>

<p>Debate Team/Student Congress
- 2 Years; Junior & Senior
- Concieved last year
- Awards: 2nd place in Dramatic Interpretation, Gainesville High School Forensic Tournament, 2008</p>

<p>Interact <a href="Service%20Club">i</a>*
- 2 years; Freshmen & Sophomore
- Unfortunately lost sponsor after Sophomore year
- Nominated to attend Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership seminar by club. <a href="See:" title="Summer Activities">i</a>*</p>

<p>Yearbook
- 1 Year; Sophomore
- Photographer</p>

<p>Summer Activities
Community Theatre
- Junior-Senior summer
- Annie: Ensemble</p>

<p>Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar <a href="%22HOBY%22">i</a>*
- Sophomore-Junior summer</p>

<p>Work Experience
- Local Pediatrics office
- Sophomore-Junior & Junior-Senior summers</p>

<p>Academic Awards
Renaissance Program <a href="Program%20similiar%20to%20Honor%20roll,%20began%20my%20Sophomore%20year">i</a>*
- Gold Award, Fall Semester 2006
- Platinum Award, Spring Semester 2007
- Platinum Award, Fall Semester 2007
- Platinum Award, Spring Semester 2008</p>

<p>Schedule <a href="%22Most%20Rigorous%22">i</a>*
Freshmen Year
- Computer Applications: 89
- Drafting: 92
- Writer's Workshop: 97
- Health/PE: 97
- Honors World Literature: 93
- Honors Algebra II: 88
- Honors Biology: 98
- Honors World History: 96</p>

<p>Sophomore Year
- Yearbook: 92
- Beginner Art: 96
- French I: 96
- French II: 97
- Honors American Literature: 95
- Honors Euclidean Geometry: 95
- Honors Physical Science: 95
- AP US History: 97</p>

<p>Junior Year
- Advanced Theatre: 100
- Advanced Theatre: 100
- Advanced Art: 99
- Honors French III: 91
- AP Language: 100
- Honors Precalculus: 92
- Honors Chemistry: 95
- AP Government: 96</p>

<p>Senior Year
- Advanced Theatre
- Advanced Theatre
- AP Art
- AP French
- AP Literature
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Biology
- AP Microeconomics</p>

<p>I have gotten a 31 and 33 on my past two attempts at the ACT (essay score still pending, but I got an 11 on the SAT essay so I think I'll do fairly well), but I have not prepped at all. I plan on doing massive amounts of preparation through July and August for the September date, and hope for at least a 34. Also, I plan on doing a generous amount of preparation for my SATII's.</p>

<p>A question: is there any way I can report to colleges that I am currently self-studying for Human Geography & Psychology, or should I just forget about putting anything about that on my application?</p>

<p>Once again, I apologize my post for being so annoyingly long-winded; I just have a lot I want to know. Any help or even just reading through the post without a response is greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>University of Georgia (EA) -Match. I think you can pull this off * with * scholarship money.</p>

<p>Tulane University (EA) - Match. The acceptance rate for Tulane has gone up since Katrina due to a lot of students leaving/losing interest.</p>

<p>Emory University - Match/Low Reach. Emory is a maybe. Don't count on scholarship money--the Emory scholars program is very competitive.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt University - Low Reach. The competition at Vanderbilt is getting tougher every year. It is a very grade/score orientated acceptance process so you should think about retaking the SAT (your ACT is great already)</p>

<p>Washington University in St. Louis - Reach. Wash U is complicated to judge. They reject some perfect applicants because they students didn't show enough interest. Remember to show genuine interest in the school and probably raise your SAT for a better chance.</p>

<p>Rice University - I don't know enough about this school to gauge. You should definitely apply as the cost is lower than similar schools (at least it was in the past).</p>

<p>Duke University - Reach/Far Reach. Duke is a slim possibility, but it never hurts to apply (common app!). Definitely do the optional interview, it will help your chances by making you more than numbers and facts on a piece of paper. I definitely raise your SAT if you are aiming for Duke.</p>

<p>Stanford - Far Reach. Stanford is nearly impossible to get into without some incredible hooks and stats. Don't look up the acceptance rates because they'll just sadden you. Do apply, since it is all part of the common app and you never know what can happen. Try your very best to write an incredible essay that will separate you from the crowd.</p>

<p>My theory is it never hurts to shoot for the stars as long as you have a backup plan. I really do you think you have a solid chance at getting into a few of those competitive schools, so keep it up!</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the reply!</p>

<p>See... I would love to retake the SAT (seriously, I love that stuff), but I have AT MOST three dates left to take it for my regular decision schools, and I still have to take my SATII's sometime in those dates. I'm a little scared I'll bomb the SATII's in October and have to retake them again in November, and I don't even know if schools would take a December SAT score.</p>

<p>I really think I can get my ACT score up to 34 or 35, maybe even 36 with A LOT of luck. For some reason I just don't deal as well with the structure of the SAT. If I can get my ACT score that high, do you really still think it will be eclipsed by my average SAT score? (I always forget that my SAT score is less than average on CC... there are seriously two or three other kids in my grade that have an SAT score breaking 2000 out my school, and hardly anyone takes the ACT...)</p>

<p>And I believe I have some pretty distinctive essays hidden up my sleeve...</p>

4

<p>Also, if anyone has any recommendations are highly appreciated.</p>

<p>My general criteria are: good English program; some place that is very hot climate wise; kinda prefer a smaller student body because that way I might have a chance to get closer to my professors for rec's for Grad school, though a very small factor; would much rather be in a big city area or at least have easy access to one; scholarship money is always a plus as well. :)</p>

<p>Thank you for your help!</p>

5

<p>I still think you should raise your SAT if you are planning to send the scores off. If you are going to stick with * just * the ACT then you it isn't necessary.</p>

6

<p>Can I send my SATII scores without my SAT scores?</p>

<p>And since I'm taking it next year, will I be applicable for Collegeboard's new pick and choose rule?</p>

7

<p>...bump? (10 char)</p>