Chances of getting into an Ivy League school?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am currently a high school junior. My weighted GPA is 3.57, so should hopefully be a 3.6 by the end of this semester. My course load is crazy, freshman year was all IB classes, then transferred schools and took all AP/Honors sophomore year. Junior year is AP Calculus, AP Language and Composition, AP Chemistry, and AP US History. I am also taking German and Colorado State University as I have exceeded the level taught at my high school.
Next year I anticipate taking AP Statistics, AP US Literature, Organic Chemistry at CSU or AP Biology, AP Government, AP Psychology, and continuing my German studies at CSU.
These classes are not including the electives I take, such as choir throughout my high school career, creative writing, music theory, etc. I take AP exams for all AP classes, and so far have gotten 4's and 5's so hopefully the trend will continue. I get college credit for my class at CSU and when I apply to schools this fall I will send my high school transcript as well as one from CSU. </p>

<p>I have not taken the ACT or SAT yet, but scored in the 99th percentile on the PSAT... hopefully will be in the run to be a National Merit Scholar! Based off practice ACT tests I am anticipating a 33-35 score, not sure about the SAT. I am also planning to take SAT subject tests. </p>

<p>My extracurriculars are choir, National Honor Society, three years of the debate team, voice lessons outside of school, and guitar playing.</p>

<p>Two summers ago I did an exchange program to Germany to pursue my German studies for 6 weeks. </p>

<p>Special Circumstances: I have been working continuously since age 16. Neither parent went to college, mom is on Social Security Disability (not sure if that affects anything, scholarships maybe?). I now work to support myself, as I moved out of my mom's house shortly after turning 17. This summer I plan to get certified and get a job as a CNA for my senior year... which would be more post-secondary education.</p>

<p>I know my GPA isn't that great; living circumstances, a necessary job, and other things have made it difficult to achieve straight A's like I used to. But based on everything else, how good of a chance do I have of making it into an Ivy League school? Or any other top tier school for that matter.</p>

<p>My dream schools are Stanford, Columbia, and Cornell. </p>

<p>Anyone have experience getting into these schools or schools like them against all odds?
Any advice/opinions appreciated! Just trying to get a sense of where I'm at.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>What’s your UW GPA? It’s much more important in admissions than W GPA since weighting is so different at different schools.</p>

3

<p>I’m not totally sure, I know it’s above 3.5 though</p>

4

<p>to be frank, you’re going to have a hard time, since you have a very average GPA compared to other ivy league applicants</p>

5

<p>you are absolutely fine! If your predictions remain even close to accurate, everything in your application will be great except the GPA, which isn’t too bad, especially considering your circumstances. Use the extra essay option to explain the life you’ve lived and how that has impacted you, it’ll give them a reason for not having perfect grades and show that you work hard and have gone above and beyond to accomplish what you desire despite adversity. I wouldn’t write about your struggles in your main essay though, I’d choose something else, as it would show that even though you’ve faced adversity, you yourself don’t use it as justification.</p>

<p>Basically, as long as everything in the application goes fairly smoothly, I would be greatly surprised if you didn’t get accepted to at the very least one, although you’ll probably get at least two, if not all of them :)</p>

6

<p>Your GPA is very low for schools like the ones listed above, though your extra curriculars + service trip are helpful. Have you won any debating awards on a national or intl scale?
Otherwise, to be frank, I don’t think that your chances are very good.</p>

7

<p>im sure you will do well. You just have to make your essays count. You have loads of experience. Just make it count. And yeah, dont actually mention all your problems and challenges in life, make references to them. You have a damn bright future ahead if you play your cards right. :D</p>