<p>So, I've done my fair bit of research, and with the exception of Princeton, I know that I generally fit in the middle 50% in terms of test scores for all of the following schools. I know that some of the schools are definitely reaches, but a lot of this post is about circumstance. </p>
<p>Here are general stats:</p>
<p>SAT: 2200 (first sitting, definitely retaking)
- Math: 680 (Way lower than what I usually score - I average about a 750-780 on practice tests)
- Critical Reading: 800
- Writing: 720 (Will probably hit around 750 during the retake)</p>
<p>ACT: 33</p>
<p>SAT II:
- Math II - 800 (This is why I say there's probably an anomaly with my standard SAT math score)
- Biology - 750</p>
<p>AP Test Scores:
- 5's: AP Calculus BC, AP Language and Composition, AP World History, AP Comparative Politics, AP Human Geography
- 4's: AP US History, AP Biology, AP US Government (Self-Studied, derp)</p>
<p>GPA (Unweighted): 3.90</p>
<p>Course Load: This is where I really shine - I took a bunch of really hard classes. I finished Multivariable Calculus/Calculus III as a junior and came out with an A. Conversely, this is why my GPA isn't as high as it could have been. AP Physics kind of killed my grades. However, I've pretty much finished or am currently taking every hard class that my high school offers with the exception of AP Chemistry. </p>
<p>Extra-Curriculars:
- Captain of the Debate Team (4 Years) - Impressive Accolades on the National Circuit (I saved my team from being eliminated as an activity, basically coached it for two years on my own, and also helped find us a coach. To speak in a business fashion, I am a "turn-around" specialist. This is what my CommonApp essay is about.)
- Youth Symphony Participant (4 Years) - Highest Level
- Model United Nations Participant (4 Years) - Winner of "Best in Committee" every year that I have participated.
- Tutor kids in higher level mathematics with impressive results (2 Years)</p>
<p>Class Rank: School doesn't do it</p>
<p>Teacher Recommendations:
1. AP Language and Composition Teacher - Was also my 9th grade teacher, and I know her on a very close level. She adores me and loves having me in class. She'll definitely write a really good letter.
2. AP Comparative Politics - I flourish in politics classes because I am incredibly articulate. The teacher is incredibly impressed with me, and made it a point to offer to write a letter of recommendation for me. He is a highly sought after rec letter writer in my high school.</p>
<p>College Application List and Corresponding Confidence(tentative):
- Northwestern University (Pretty Confident, but admissions are somewhat of a crapshoot here)
- Johns Hopkins University (Confident)
- Vanderbilt University (I've received very specific offers from them, if that means anything) (Confident)
- University of Chicago (Pretty Confident - Not 100% because the acceptance rates went way down last year. Other than that, I am exactly the type of thinker they look for - The apples-oranges prompt was right up my alley.)
- Dartmouth (Specific circumstance outlined below) (Somewhat Confident)
- Brown (Somewhat Confident)
- Princeton (Reach)
(I haven't reported safety schools since they are local)</p>
<p>X-Factor:
1. I am an incredible writer and I have the chops to prove it. The essay portions of the CommonApp are where I'll really shine and cut through the banality of usual college apps, so I'm confident that when colleges see my application, they'll see something quite different. My english teacher, mentioned above, read my essays so far and she thinks they are some of the best that she's seen in her thirty plus years of teaching. My UChicago essay in particular is insanely good. I will also be sending a creative writing supplement to all of the colleges I am applying to, and I think that will make a big difference as well.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I am in contact with Dartmouth's Debate Coach and I have a very respected Debate Coach (not from my school) giving me a reference as well. I think this will have a certain degree of lee-way in the same way that athletic recruitment will have. As much as the Ivy's deny recruitment, it's definitely there from what I have seen both from my own school and in other places. </p></li>
<li><p>My CommonApp essay is all about how I single-handedly saved my school's debate team and actually coached it. My school cut the funding two years ago, and our previous coach was fired after a money embezzlement scandal. There's a lot of personal motivation and leadership here, which I think is something quite different from most other essays about activities. A lot of admissions recruiters that have come to my school and talked along similar veins have expressed high admiration for people that are like that even in simple things. For example, Brown said they admitted someone that started a D&D club and made it a big thing at his school - this is obviously a much more intensive version of the same thing. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I will be taking the SAT again in October and I am expecting the score to be much much higher because my Math score was a complete shock from what I am used to seeing. My GPA will also increase slightly by the time I apply - I am not applying early anywhere. I do know that my academics/test scores are probably the lowest points in my applications, but that's sort of to be expected considering my insane course load (I took all AP's throughout my years in high school).</p>
<p>Other than that, I know there's a very high degree of uncertainty with the whole application process, but I would love to get some objective feedback on my chances. A lot of this sounds like I am bragging, but I am just being as honest as I possibly can. Thank you!</p>