<p>White Male
GPA - 3.93 weighted
Class Rank - 40 out of 331 (approx. top 12%)
SAT - 1950
ACT - 29
SATIIs - 570 and 590 (I know, those hurt, retaking in Nov, adding a third as well)
Classes - All honors since sophomore year (forced to take a couple level 2 classes at my first school freshman year), and took AP English last year and got a 4 on the exam. I am taking AP Government and Politics, AP Statistics, and AP Economics this year.
Activities:
- Concert Band for three years (1st seat for one), Upper level Symphony Band (I auditioned to get in) - Alto Sax
- Jazz Band for 3 years - Alto Sax
- Varsity Ski Team - Freshman year before I switched schools
- Ski team for a mountain in Vermont through VARA for 3 years
- History National Honors Society for 2 years
- Worked at a beach club all summer - 40 hrs/week
- Work at lawn company throughout year when needed
- Sufficient Community Service including soup kitchens, fundraiser for my music program, and volunteering through rec department.
Let me know if you have any other specific questions. GPA and rank could improve by end of 1st semester, really am not sure I want to take ACTs or regular SATs again...guidance counselor said the extra 50 points to get me into the 2000s would not make or break a decision. I have family at both Hamilton and Colgate, and am not applying for need-based financial aid at any school. </p>
<p>Basically, I have posted this in most of the school's specific sections, but I figured I would try it here as well. I am getting a little nervous (I know, it is stupid to do so), and I feel like I am just below the crest for milestones a lot of schools like. For example, just below 2000 on the SATs and a 30 on the ACTs. Just below top 10%, at top 12%. Just feels a little discouraging because as much as I like my safety schools, it would feel really embarrassing if I did not get into one so-called fit school let-alone any reaches. I know, typical senior worries. But here is a list of colleges I am applying to:</p>
<p>Colgate, Hamilton, George Washington University, College of William and Mary, Tulane, BC - All relative fits
UVM, Umass Amherst - Both Safeties
Cornell, Georgetown - Reaches
Dartmouth - Not sure if I will apply, but this would be in a category I like to call Super Reach </p>
<p>Thanks for your time, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>I think that your classifications are pretty good! With thee condition you improove your SAT II scores significantly (Colgate, Hamilton, and BC especially)! Good luck!!</p>
<p>Can subject tests even hurt me if they do not require them in the first place? Honestly, I am so sick of this whole standardized testing crapshow, but I acknowledge it is important. I will take the subject tests one more time then I am done, and I really hope I improve at least into the 600s.</p>
<p>I may take the ACTs again, have not decided yet. I would be aiming for a 30 or 31. I am not sure how big of a difference this would make, however.</p>
<p>I Have hear of those schools, but I felt like I had too many schools to begin with, so I narrowed it to Colgate an Hamilton for my smaller liberal arts picks.</p>
<p>ur pretty much on point with ur chances, except maybe for william and mary that might be kinda tough, u should bump that act score because breaking 30 will put u at a better level with the top tier schools like georgetown, the avg sat score there is around a 2100 which is equivalent to a 31 and the average is also skewed down due to the legacies/ athletes, also georgetown requires 3 satIIs so i strongly recommend you retake those tests</p>
<p>Meh if subject tests still don’t improve I think you’re still fine unless they were taken in subjects you’re obviously really strong in (as evidenced through your transcript). And yeah, like transferboy said breaking the 30 barrier is hard to do. Some of those schools MIGHT superscore ACT though? Getting a 2000+ on the SAT would help as well. Your GPA adds a good balance though. </p>
<p>There’s not much you can do about it now but your EC’s seem kind of weak unless you really put your everything into band and skiing. Really depends on what you want to do I suppose. The volunteering seems kind of unfocused. But if you can write a really swell essay then you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Make it seem like you have a really deep seated academic or community related passion. Play up the music if that’s what you love. The skiing, although really really cool probably won’t be too impressive to an admissions counselor at a lot of those schools unless they’re into that sort of thing or you’ve won a lot of awards, competitions, etc. </p>
<p>Exactly how many hours of community service do you have?</p>
<p>I think Cornell, Dartmouth, Georgetown, Will & Mary are really the only schools you might not get into but other than Dartmouth your stats are pretty much on target. You’re right though. As a qualified applicant, in a sea of many other qualified and stellar applicants you might not stand out with test scores and a GPA that are just “on target” with everyone else unless you have a kick ass essay and ec’s and recs.</p>
<p>I think I have a really good essay and my recs should be good as well. EC’s arent exactly given justice here, theyre more clear on my app and resume. For actual full hrs. For community service, not sure total but i think its quite a bit</p>