<p>Well right now I'm a sophomore and I realize I really need to improve my SAT scores (my psat was in the low 180's). But let's assume that I can get my SAT score up to 2100 what are my chances at getting into these colleges; University of Chicago, Stanford, Cornell, Reed College, Furman, and UC-Santa B? </p>
<p>I have a lot of interests, but I think I'm going to want to be a physicist and go into academia. So another (perhaps separate) question is do grad physics departments look more at the undergrad school you went to or the grades you earned there? While I agree that learning is much much more important than grades, I still want to have the necessary grades to attend a top grad school.</p>
<p>I'm ranked 2 out of 362
I have all A's
My GPA is 4.85 (weighted)
I've taken honors classes in every subject offered
I've already taken AP U.S history, and plan on taking AP Gov, AP Calculus (AB & BC), AP English, AP Econ, and maybe AP physics.</p>
<p>I play on the basketball team
I'm volunteering at little bit (about 50 hours a year) at Tender Hearts Ministers (a clothing provider)
I'm trying to go to a summer physics program (I'm going to apply to Duke's TIP program)
I'm not too active in other "school" activities right now, but I plan on joining a few more clubs next year like Model UN, the Math honor society, and an community service oriented one.</p>
<p>So what are my chances? And are there any other schools you would reccomend?</p>