<p>I am a 16 yr. old female… going to be a senior at a competitive high school in southern California…</p>
<p>SATs:
1st try: CR 650, W 720, M 560
2nd try: CR 720, W 630, M 600</p>
<p>SAT IIs:
Biology E- 630
US History- 750
Literature- 660</p>
<p>ACT:
1st try: 29</p>
<p>APs:
English Language: 4</p>
<p>GPA:
Freshman Year: UW 3.8, W 3.8
Sophomore Yr: UW 4.0, W 4.2 (2 honors classes)
Junior Year: UW 4.0, W 4.42 (3 honors, 1 AP class)
Senior Year core courses:
AP Gov
AP Spanish IV
AP English
Honors Physics
Math Analysis</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars:
Club Soccer (since 6th grade)- 2 year Captain
HS Soccer (3 year Varsity)- Senior year Captain
California Scholarship Federation
Red Cross Club
High School Volleyball (2 years -Captain)</p>
<p>Awards:
Scholastic Acheivement Award (10th grade)- issued by teachers
CIF Academic All-League (2 years)
Most Improved Player (HS Soccer-11th grade)
Best Defensive Player (HS Volleyball-9th grade)</p>
<p>I would appreciate ANY suggestions for things I should focus on or highlight in my application :)</p>
<p>Dear tmc09 : To offer a counter point of simpson98's review, I think your application profile has some relatively major issues with your standardized test scores. </p>
<p>The 25th-percentile for the two-way SAT at BC now stands at 1240. While your second try was 1320 (slightly below the midpoint), your first set of tests were at the 20th-percentile. There were also wild variations in scores on critical reading and writing that will raise some eyebrows. Your math scores are both in the bottom quartile. </p>
<p>Your ACT at 29 is a "bubble score" as most ACT applicants that we have seen accepted on this site sport a 30 or better. That said, your 29 is in (about) the 40th-percentile.</p>
<p>While you have AP work, you are missing AP course work in the sciences, math (calc/stats), and history. English will help, but not sure why you are taking English Composition and English Literature AP courses independently unless this is an academic passion.</p>
<p>Volunteerism and artistic interests (music, art) are missing from this profile.</p>
<p>Again, I am pointing out gaps against the other 31,000 applications that are applying for 2,250 spots. I am not sure that your profile fits the Boston College profile very well at this point.</p>
<p>I tentatively agree with scottj, however, as of right now, I think your scores are most likely middle of the road as far as the acceptances in the chance threads go. Superscored, you've got a 2040, which really is about BC's average range. I don't think a lack of AP math or science credits will prove to be that much of a detriment, although it certainly depends on major interest. I don't see any major issues with your scores, only that I'd say the single greatest thing you can do at the moment to boost your chances would be to raise that math score 40-50 points, if you can achieve that, you'll be in a very good position.</p>
<p>scottj -- regarding separate AP English classes:You apparently are not aware that the normal sequence for college bound kids at many of the high schools out west -- including my son's Jesuit high school -- is AP English Lang & Comp in the junior year and AP English Lit in the senior year.</p>
<p>to the OP: I agree with simpson that lack of AP math or science is probably not that big a deal if you are planning to major in English or some other arts/humanities department. It also depends on what AP classes , and how many, your high school offers. Are you taking the most rigorous course load possible?</p>
<p>BC is becoming more and more selective, which means average GPAs and test scores for admitted students are increasing each year. You may be a viable candidate for BC, but the odds are probably no more than 50/50 based on what you have told us here. However, strong essays and recommendations can also help some, as well as any outside activities like community service projects.</p>
<p>Dear tmc09 and worried_mom : The comment regarding the need for both English AP courses was less an observation about standard curriculum on the West Coast (which was new and useful information), but rather was based on the guidance provided by the University in regards to the pair of English AP exams beginning with the Class of 2011 : </p>
<p>From that site ... English: Students receiving a 4 on the A.P. English Language exam are required to take one semester of the Literature Core requirement. Students receiving a 4 on the A.P. English Literature exam are required to take one semester of the Writing Core requirement. Students who receive a 5 on either English A.P. exam are considered to have fulfilled both the Literature and Writing Core requirements. (3 advanced placement units for a score of 4 or 6 advanced placement units for a score of 5)</p>
<p>Since we were not discussing advanced standing given the previously limited number of AP Courses, my assumption was that the discussion was centered around the usefulness of a second English AP program in the context of a BC education.</p>