Chances generally. And, if anyone knows, St. Andrews.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi. I'm asking about my chances generally because I think my application is slightly odd and I don't know how much colleges consider certain things (rigor of previous high school and its affect of GPA, SAT writing score, etc).
So:
-Probably a 3.3 GPA (weighted). First half of high school was spent at a rigorous private school and nearly all of those year-end grades are Bs. Junior year at public school has basically yielded five As, one B, and one C. I only took two AP classes this year (junior year) and none previously.
-SAT scores: 800 critical reading, 800 writing, only 590 math (I may take it again to get it into the 600s range, but it won't rise much). Probably "commended" but not semifinalist for the National Merit whatisitcalled thingy.
-No leadership positions whatsoever. Should I try to explain that transferring halfway through makes it more difficult to obtain leadership positions, or just leave it? I could've tried for some if I'd been more assertive/involved. I am in two clubs (Model UN and Tri-M).
-AP scores: I project one 5 (English Language & Composition), one 4 (US History), and two scores that I won't even mention and probably won't show to colleges.
-I'm taking 5 AP classes next (senior) year, but I doubt colleges care since they won't even see the transcript. And I'm not taking any maths or sciences next year.
-I'll probably produce a decent essay, but nothing fantastic.
-I'm doing a week-long summer program at Georgetown about International Relations (probably my future major). Will colleges care?
-Also, a note about class rank: my old (private) school's classes are all considered "standard" by my new (public) school, and weighted as such even though they're the equivalent of at least GT. Because my new school puts nearly everyone in either honors or GT classes- and many students take a ****load of APs- in order to be ranked highly in the county, I'm barely in the top half of the class.
-My recommendations will be okay but not fantastic. </p>

<p>I don't even have a vague idea of what's realistic. Would applying to William & Mary be totally laughable? I'm not shooting for Ivy League but I do want someplace challenging and at least a little well-respected. Also, my absolute dream school is St. Andrews University and I've heard that it's much easier for American students to get in than British ones because we pay them loads more. </p>

<p>Anyway, what do you think?! What are my chances in general?</p>

2

<p>Reasonable chance. They take lots of American kids who do not have a shot at top US colleges.</p>

3

<p>You remind me of my D- 3.34 (but that’s unweighted) and 34 on SAT. She’ll be taking 3 APs next year. She’s going to St. Andrews for their summer Scottish Studies program to get a real look at the school. I know she will apply. On the SA website it says 3.3gpa minimum required- not sure about weighting. Your test scores are very high and that’s good. I think you really should put a lot of thought and effort into your essay. You can explain a little about the disadvantages of changing schools, but no more than a sentence or two. When I was in college in a professors office lamenting and pleading for an extension due to my job/schedule she told me something I’ll always remember: “Self-pity doesn’t look good on you”. So, no whining. Kids do a lot of growing up in HS. Show through your essay who you are right now. Make yourself known to someone who reads your essay. Start writing random sentences about yourself, your interests, what you think is funny, etc. down on notecards and keep them in a pile. Every now and then shuffle and read through. You may find a narrative coming through.</p>

4

<p>Okay, thanks for the responses (and more reponses from others would be quite welcome/ much appreciated)! I was going to do that Scottish Summer Studies Program, it looked awesome, but my parents made me choose between that and going with them to France (not a bad choice) and I opted for France. But it looked great! And it’s good to hear that St. Andrews isn’t a definite impossibility. I still expect that I won’t get it, but crazier things have probably happened.</p>

5

<p>This is the only time I’ll make a post purely to bump the tread. Promise.</p>

<p>EDIT: So, beyond St. Andrews I’m wondering about: William & Mary, Georgetown, Gettysburg, Haverford, BU, and American. I know they’re all reaches. I’m confused because it seems that someone with my GPA wouldn’t get in to any, but someone with my SAT scores might.</p>