Chances for very selective schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m wondering if I have any chance at very selective schools, some that I’m looking at specifically are Brown, UPenn, Vanderbilt, Tufts, and similar schools.

I’m a current high school junior.

I have a current GPA of 3.6 unweighted and 4.2 weighted. My ACT score was a 30, I took the SAT but haven’t gotten my scores yet, if they’re low I might retake it or the ACT. I’ve also taken 4 AP classes so far including this year, and am planning to take at least 3 more next year, if that matters.

I haven’t done very much otherwise. I have played one sport all three years of high school so far and will next year too.

Do I have any chance at top schools with low admissions rates? I will apply to match and safety schools too no matter what, but I would love to go to know if I have a chance at something better.

2

With the info you have given -no, you could make up for the weak academic profile with a strong EC but it doesn’t look like you have one.

3

Then those schools are out of reach.

4

Thanks. The only thing that I forgot to mention is that I have a part time job, would that make any difference?

5

No

6

you’re a good student man, but get involved in some ECs. Start your own club, look at the website https://www.volunteermatch.org. If you have a unique story to tell that ties into your desired major low GPAs and test scores (which you really don’t have btw, but for the very elite schools you do) don’t matter quite as much. Just make sure that you can tell YOUR story.

So say you wanted to apply as an English major. Things like starting a website for your writing (free), starting an independent book club with some friends (free + little to no cost), getting an internship at your local newspaper office, etc etc would all tie into your ‘story’. Cohesive ECs are always better than no ECS and sometimes better scattered ECs.

But hurry dude! There’s totally time over the summer for you to do a bunch of stuff, get an internship and devote your free days in the summer to it! (I promise, usually all you gotta do to get an internship at smaller businesses is just ask).

You got it, dude! Try for a better score on testing and do a few more AP classes next year. They might still be reaches, but I guarantee you’ll be a lot closer 'cause you’ve already got fairly good stats, bolster them up a lil and you’re that much closer.

There is always time, there is always hope, there is always possibility and chance. :slight_smile: good luck man

7

Thanks! I’m a little confused about what kinds of ecs I’m supposed to get involved in. I don’t really have a lot of free time. The sport that I do makes it literally impossible to do any other sports or clubs at my school, and I don’t know when I’d do an internship or volunteering with my job. My job is somewhat related to my desired major.

8

You want at least a 3.8 UW GPA, a 1500+ on the SAT or a 33+ on the ACT, and ECs that show your leadership and passion for a specific subject matter

9

No. But that’s a good thing, because you can focus on schools that are a good fit for you. What are you looking for in a college education? What sport are you involved in? What kind of job do you have? What’s your intended area of study?

10

The sport that I do is cheerleading. I work at a daycare and my intended area of study is education.

11

I would also like to add to this discussion even if your grades and ACT are not quite up to standards of the tippy top schools, they are still very strong by ordinary (non-CC, non-Top 20) standards and there will be many wonderful colleges open to you. It gives me a punch in the gut to hear another parent describe your hard work as “low academic record.” Forge forth, looking for fit!