Hi! I’m a sophomore in High school and I wanted to know what my chances are to get into an ivy league (specifically Columbia and Yale)
GPA: 3.925
Freshman Year:
Tri 1:
Geometry: B+
History: A-
Gym: A
Spanish ll AC: B+
Theater: A
Tri 2:
History: A
Bio: A
English: A+
Graphic Design: A
Spanish ll AC: A
Tri 3:
Bio: A-
Business Fundamentals: A+
English: A
Geometry: A
Psych: A
Sophomore Year
Tri 1:
Algebra: A
English: A
History: A
AP psychology: A-
Public Policy: A
Extra Circulars:
Freshman Year:
Field Hockey Captain
Lacrosse
Community Service Club
Tutored other students in Math and English
Throughout The Summer
Columbia University Summer Program for High School Students: Business and Marketing Program
Sophomore Year
Field Hockey Captain
Varsity Lacrosse
School Newspaper
Founder and President of the National Organization for Women club
Teen Advisory Club a
Intern at local newspaper
Tutored other students in Math and English
Speaker at Young Feminists Conference
I’m a sophomore, so I haven’t taken it yet. But, I’m studying for it now and on practice quizzes, I’m doing well. I don’t know that doesn’t really help, though.
Chancing is a bit of a mug’s game, but to have any hope of a useful answer you need to be well into your 3rd year, have grades, test scores, some longer term ECs, etc. The usual tick boxes include taking the most rigorous schedule your school/schedule allows, being in the very top cohort in your class, and being able to show some depth/commitment/achievement to something beyond your classroom studies. Your term marks are not necessary- your UW (&W if you have one) GPA is sufficient (for perspective, recalculate it using only ‘academic’ classes- leaving things like gym out).
Beyond that, start thinking seriously about what you want from college: “any Ivy” says prestige grubbing, not an actual intellectual or mature thought process. The experience of Columbia and Yale is very different- why those two?
I have visited both campuses, and I love those two the best out of all the ivy leagues. Based on what you see above is there anything specific I can do for my junior year to make me have a chance of getting in?
You can research the schools and figure out which one you’ll apply to ED. You can get to know your teachers well and pick 2 who will say great things about you. You can figure out what separates you from the pack of other highly qualified candidates. Focus on leadership and try to compete in something on the national stage. Good luck!
I think your application is great and you do have a chance into these schools. Regarding your Women’s club, try to do great things in the community with it. Have events and invite middle school students, talk to them about different careers and majors they can pursue. Anybody can start a club but, its what you do with it. Really make yourself stand out like that. I suggest you do really well on you SAT’s or ACT as well. You still have a lot of time to do great things. Take really rigorous courses, like all the AP’s your school offers.