Chances to schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Here is my list of schools, I am not looking for merely "you can" or "you cannot," like everyone else because that is useless. If you could, I would like you to tell me which parts are particularly weak, and which can be improved to provide a stronger application. Thanks!</p>

<p>U of Michigan
U of Chicago
Cornell University
Princeton (#1, apply ED)
Johns Hopkins
Dartmouth (#2)
Carnegie Mellon
Case Western Reserve
Rice University
U of Pennsylvania</p>

<p>I am currently awaiting SAT II Subject Test results (will be posted the 21st of June). My ACT composite is 33 (Reading - 35, Science - 30, Math - 34, English - 32). The first time I took it I did horrible (29) and took it w/ writing. Then, I retook and got a 33, but didn't retake writing. Will this seriously hurt me? I know most colleges want ACT writing results, but do they use them extensively?</p>

<p>I got a 3 on AP U.S. history, and am awaiting results on Chemistry, European History, and Psychology (expecting 5, 5, 4 respectively). I have taken mainly the most rigorous courses available (with the exception of one class). My unweighted GPA is 3.5, BUT that is due to awful grades freshman year. I understand that Princeton recalculates GPA w/o freshman year. Also, will they notice that I significantly improved over the course of high school.</p>

<p>My EC's are not strong. Involvement in debate (fresh and sophomore year), chess club, and Boy Scouts (this is not school related but consumes A LOT of time). Also in Kid's Voting. My recommendations will be fantastic and my essays will be great as well. As it stands now, what do you think? I am planning on majoring in chemistry (which is where one of my recommendations will be coming from - my AP chem teacher). I know some of those schools^ have excellent chemistry programs. I am also wondering if applying to Princeton ED is a good idea. It is, without a doubt, my #1 school and I know ED helps. But, if there is no chance either way, I don't want to apply ED when I could to Dartmouth (my #2). Also, I am a white male from Ohio with a family income of ~$35,000 for a family of four (therefore expecting financial aid). Thanks for your input!</p>

2

<p>All these schools except maybe Case and Michigan (if you're in-state) are reaches, mostly due to GPA and lack of extracurricular activities. You have a chance at UChicago if you write really good essays since they've been known to forgive low gpa and sat/act more readily. Find some safeties.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Princeton removed its ED program for next year. I don't know if you should apply early anywhere because you might want to use senior year to boost that GPA. If you can achieve a 4.0 that semester, you have a much better shot.</p></li>
<li><p>Even if the schools don't use the writing score extensively, they do want it at least for statistical purposes. In any case, you do need to take the SAT or the ACT with writing if the school requires it.</p></li>
<li><p>How's the Sophomore and Junior GPA? Is the 3.5 weighted or unweighted? Do you have a class rank? Try to be in top 10% with respect to rank. Colleges will notice if you've improved, but at the elite schools you'll compete against many people who have 3.9+ every single year of high school.</p></li>
<li><p>Have you signed up for any subject tests? Some schools require 3 subject tests.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>The Sophomore GPA is lower than Junior. Junior year GPA is 3.9 I believe (unweighted). The 3.5 is unweighted. Weighted it is about the same actually, little higher. I have taken three subject tests, awaiting results (will get them on Thursday). And I have taken the ACT with writing, I just retook the MC only (that's the 33), but I still have a writing test score for statistical purposes. I wasn't aware Princeton got rid of ED, interesting.</p>