Chances of getting into highly selective schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am really interested in smaller east coast schools like Bucknell, Lafayette, Colgate, Tufts, and W & M. The problem is I don't know if my grades or test scores are strong enough... I've had a pretty rigorous schedule since freshman year. I had all A's (except for 2 B's diff. semesters) until Junior year. I really struggled this year which is not good because I know that colleges look at junior year strongly. I got a B in honors algebra 2 but I got a C+ in AP Chem. And then second semester I got three B's in honors brit lit, ap chem, and honors spanish, and I got a C in algebra 2. My act score is pretty low, 26, but I'm hoping to get a 28 next time I take it. </p>

<p>The reason why my grades slipped so much junior year is I went through some pretty awful stuff in my personal life and it made me loose a lot of my motivation and I gave up on myself. (don't really want to say what happened because it's too personal)</p>

<p>However I have been on varsity track and cross country since freshman year. I'm pretty good and have really good times. I'm one of the fastest in my county and a lot of schools have talked to me about recruitment. Also I have a lot of EC's, I've been in 4 clubs and have a lot of community service volunteering at local animal shelter. </p>

<p>Basically I am banking on getting into the schools I listed on my running. The schools I listed do not have a great team and I think I would be a great addition to the teams. </p>

<p>So do I have what it takes to get into these schools? If the coaches really want me to be on their teams will that significantly increase my chances of getting in? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Honestly, colleges aren’t going to dismiss your application simply because of bad grades one year if you had legitimate personal issues (and it sounds like you do). Apply to whichever top schools you want, because I think you have a good chance at any of the ones you listed and more, but make sure that your counselor’s rec letter explains your issues in depth, or, better yet, you write your essay about whatever happened in your life.</p>

<p>I’m sorry that you had to go through tough times this year, and I sincerely hope it gets better for you. </p>

<p>Good luck in the admissions process! :)</p>

3

<p>What is your GPA overall? I think you would have a better chance if you could raise your ACT score. Possibly two or three points. If you need some advice about track recruiting, I can offer you some of my suggestions. I got recruited by a few of the schools you mentioned for track and field. If necessary, I could also offer some suggestions as far as the ACT. Is there a specific section that your struggling in?</p>

4

<p>Totally forgot, my overall gpa is a 3.7! I have not studied once for the act or taken any classes to prepare me. Like I said I really lost all my motivation due to what was going on in my life so I’ve now been studying a lot and taking some classes so I’m hoping this will be enough to raise my scores. Since you are a runner my times for 5k are usually high 18s to low 19s. </p>

<p>My dream would be bucknell for running.</p>

<p>Also I am taking summer school for the C that I got in Algebra 2 second semester.</p>