<p>Hello, I am currently a high school junior wondering about my chances of getting into Vanderbilt, UVA, Georgetown, Columbia, and Yale for a degree in some sort of pre-law study, possibly political science or international reations.</p>
<p>Academics:
4.0 GPA
9th in my class (fairly good public school with about 450 kids in my class)
2070 SAT (720 Critical Reading, 710 Math, 640 Writing)
34 ACT Composite
National Merit Scholar Commended Status (not eliminated yet though)
National Honors Society
Outstanding Japanese Student for 3 years (my school said count anything?)
Taking AP US History
Will take Newspaper, AP Gov and AP Econ next year
Have taken a multitude of Honors courses throughout the years (math, english, chem, etc.)</p>
<p>Athletics:
Will be a 3 year letter winner in cross country and a varsity track athlete</p>
<p>Those are the main things that I can think to include in my profile here. I do realize that Yale and Columbia will be a big reach (they did send me stuff, does that mean anything?) I will be taking the SAT again soon, in addition to subject tests in US History and Math. I would also love to hear of any schools that may be good fits on paper (I live in Indiana so preferably no west coast, too far). Thanks to anyone who took the time to answer me or even go so far as to even read all of this.</p>
<p>do u have any ECs?</p>
<p>The ECs are important, but I would also raise your SAT I score. It could be a little low for UVA, and it's definitely low for the Ivys. When looking at schools, why not consider American University in D.C.? It has a good international relations program. </p>
<p>Good Luck.</p>
<p>thanks for the replies and i feel stupid for asking but what are ECs? Extra-curriculars?</p>
<p>bump? anybody have anything to add about georgetown or vanderbilt? any more recommendations?</p>
<p>I don't understand people's infatuation with SAT scores. The school I go to sends about 40-50 kids to Ivies every year and most of them didn't get 2300s. I know a kid who got all Cs sophomore year then Bs junior and As senior, then got in to Brown. You obviously meet the academic requirements but what really defines an applicant is texture, what you do outside of the classroom. You want to show them that you have passion and interests and are different from all the other 1000s of applicants. The key is to differentiate yourself. Awesome grades and perfect SATs are great but they will not get you in to an ivy league school, especially if you achieved As at a not so very competitive public school. The key is to show them that you are different and will bring something to the school, a different viewpoint, a different culture or a certain interest or skill which is out of the ordinary. I know plenty of people who get in to top schools with 2000s on their SATs and a B+/A- average, but are able to differentiate themselves from other applicants. No school wants the boring nerd that will spend all his time studying and none of his time interacting with the community. They are trying to get the most talented, diverse and interesting class not just a class with a bunch of kids who have little to bring other than a perfect SAT and a 4.0 GPA.</p>