I was dreading asking this…but I’m doing it.
My unweighted gpa is probably a 3.99 right now and my weighted gpa is >4.3 (I haven’t checked in a long time).
I’m valedictorian.
I’ve passed 11 AP Exams ( six 5’s, four 4’s, and one 3).
My first SAT I took this June was a 2080…but hopefully it’ll go up at least 100 points this October.
BUT…here comes the part I was dreading…I’m in absolutely no extra curriculars…all my high school life, I’ve been in no sports and have never tried to run for any leadership position.
I have been, at least, a member in the following clubs for 2-3 years: CARE club (recycling club), Interact (don’t even know), National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, BETA (mainly donations), HOSA, and Student Council.
I’ve completed at least 200 hours.
But I know the extracurricular part is going to kill me…I wish I could say that I tutored students or that I have a job…or even mowed lawns over the years…or went to Africa to volunteer like my brother, or India like my friend…but no. none of that, unfortuantely, and …I’m to blame, obviously.
So, I basically look like the typical no-life, school nerd. BUT, is there still a chance that I would get accepted??
I’m asking because in another thread I read about this one girl who got 5’s on 7 ap exams, had a 2380 SAT score, and almost perfect 800s on subject tests and was valedictorian…but didn’t get accepted into any Ivy Leagues. For that reason, I’m asking this question, hoping that one of you will give me some type of advice on what I can do now.
thank you.
if this counts/helps, I participated earlier this summer in a medical program at Baylor College of Medicine
Oh, and…IF you think I do have a chance, into which Ivy league?
Keep in mind that there is more to leadership than being in an elected position. I’m sure you know that people get elected for lots of reasons, including their attractiveness and popularity. But often, it’s the unelected members who get things done, do the organizing, inspire others to do the tough jobs. If that sounds like you, maybe you can get your guidance counselor or recommenders to address it.
And be aware that admissions people know about those service trips abroad. Some are genuinely worthwhile, but others amount to paid vacations in the tropics. Just listing such a thing on the Common App without going into detail will not create special interest.
Thanks so much! But I don’t think I’m kind of person…and plus I’ve never had any service trips abroad except for that Baylor College thing…
I’ve gone to Mexico once, but that was vacation.
Maybe I wasn’t clear about the service trips. A lot of them are just BS for rich kids, and admissions officers know that. Your lack of one won’t stick out as a bad thing.
To be honest, your current SAT score and lack of significant EC’s would make any of the Ivies a pretty high reach for you. Work with you guidance counselor on finding colleges that are more of a match. Good luck with everything!
It is too late to do anything to improve your EC’s. So better to focus on what you can control. What you still have control over is to retake SAT or try ACT and see whether you can compensate for lack of EC’s (your SAT is low anyway, even without consideration for EC’s).
You still have essays to help you, teacher/counselor recs, so don’t worry. I would say for your current situation, Ivies would be a big reach because of your test scores. Do you have any hooks like URM, First Generation?
And, any specific Ivies you are looking into? They are all vastly different from one another, so I was wondering if you meant ‘Can I get into a Ivy-League or Ivy-League tier school’?
That girl you’re talking about, did you she apply to ALL 8 Ivy Leagues? If she did, I think her essays probably weren’t the best as she spread herself too thin with all those supplemental essays to write.
Honestly, there isn’t anything setting you aside to make the admissions officers say “Wow!” and you generally need that along with near perfect standardized test scores for a lot of the Ivy League Schools. However, if you get you standardized tests up and write essays that explain yourself you may get some luck. Remember the Ivy League is a crapshoot for everyone so don’t count on getting into these schools but if you do, be thrilled! Best of luck to you, if you could go to my thread and chance me that’d be awesome!
Your lack of extracurriculars will kill you while applying to top schools. They’re looking for more dynamic people who tend to have memorable and unique achievements. Have you considered studying abroad? top Canadian and English universities put less emphasis on extracurriculars…you have a good chance of getting in to one of them.
My advice: Take a practice ACT right now. Like right now.
I can testify, I hated the SAT, didn’t do well on it, but I got a 34 on my ACT in the fall of my senior year and got into my top choice so give it a try