Chances??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi there!
I am a rising senior from a very small, rural, and economically depressed area in Virginia. I want to pursue a career in bioengineering/chemical engineering. I hope to get some feedback, like many others, on my chances of admission to my top school choices. Currently, the schools I am considering/applying to are:
Duke (ED) - Pratt School, UVA (EA), UNC (RD), UCLA (RD), USC (RD), Cornell (RD), William and Mary (RD), and Rollins (RD).

Some basic stats:

3 in a class of ~200

GPA (Unweighted): 4.0
GPA (Weighted): 4.4
SAT: 1380, 700 Math, 680 Reading & Writing (Planning on retaking very soon and taking Math Level 2 and Chemistry subject tests)
APs: Calculus BC (5), U.S. History (5)
PLANNED APs (Senior Year): AP Environmental Sci, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, AP English Literature, AP Government, AP Psychology, and AP Computer Science
DEs: PreCalculus (MTH 163, 164), Physics, Manufacturing
Student at one of Virginia’s “Governor’s Schools” (Regional Magnet School based on application)

Leadership Roles/Awards/Extracurriculars/Etcetera:
Freshman & Sophomore Class President (Student Council)
Administrative Captain (FRC Team) - (Won GP Award at Regional Competition)
Debate Team Founder
National Honor Society Member - (~50 Hours of Service through NHS/Year)
TSA Member - Placed 1st in CAD Design (Regional), 1st in System Control Tech (Regional)
Chess Club Member
Academic/Quizbowl Team Member (Placed 3rd in District)
2nd Place at Regional ISEF
Paid Internship with local electronics engineering firm
Mentorship in the County Engineering Department
Volunteer at County Library (100+ Hours/Year)
Volunteer School Tutor (~20 Hours/Year)
Created a Solar Awareness Campaign for my local community
Improved the traffic plan and flow of my school parking lot to reduce accidents

I think that’s everything but please be honest and feel free to ask any questions (I know some of it might be vague). Thanks for the feedback!

2

Since your are an OOS applicant for UCLA, is $65K/year affordable to attend? California UC’s offer little to no financial aid to OOS students. You would also need to bump up your SAT score into the 1400+ range to be competitive.

3

Parents are in a higher income bracket so it might be affordable, I have a few scholarships lined up locally but def. something to look into more…and yeah my SAT is not great. I’m hoping to bump up in a 1400 range when I retake in August.

4

If you reach or break a 1500 then I don’t think you’ll have a problem getting into most of the schools you’ve listed. I just graduated from a Virginia high school and many of my friends that went to UVA had around a 1500 with many ECs that you have. For engineering, you really just need that math score to go up.

The best way to increase your SAT score is by taking past SATs that have been released. You can find these by searching an SAT test date and “QAS” after it, and some form of pdf should come up for March, April, May, and October tests each year. From experience, by doing this I raised my math from a 690 to an 800 within two months (took about 4 practice tests). Just make sure that you learn from your mistakes each time. Failure is the key to learning.

You’re ECs, GPA, schedule, and AP test scores are strong. Also I’m not sure if the colleges you apply to have Early action but if they do I would do that and not apply RD if I could avoid it.

5

You have a reach heavy list, especially with your current SAT score. Some of these schools want to see 1500+ and SAT II subject test scores.

6

Why not VA Tech? GA Tech? You have so many reaches and no hooks. What about George Mason, VCU?