Chicagoian with too big of dreams? Help please.

<p>Been a resident of chicago my whole life and have fallen in love with University of Chicago. The academically challenging aspect of the school makes it my first choice school. Am I aiming too high for myself?</p>

<p>Female non minority
Intended major: Biology/Sciences
GPA: 3.8
ACT: 28
Rank: Not too sure on my rank most likely in top 10 or 25%. 14/116 (guess)
EC: Volunteering. WYSE team. Science club. (art club, homecoming committee and other small things not worth mentioning) I go to a very small religious school and am not very active in the few activities there. Will this harm me in applying?
Classes
Freshman: Hon biology. Geometry. Art studies. Health studies/PE. Writing studies. Spanish 1. American Lit. Techonolgy. Computers. Dramatic Arts. Bible.
Soph: Hon Chem. Hon Alg 2. Art Studies 2. PE. Mod Techonolgy. Communications. Business. Spanish 2. World Lit. Bible.
Junior: Honors PreCalc. Honors Physics. Psycology. Enviornmental Science. Spanish 3. US history. American Lit. PE.
(Prospective) Senior: Calc. AP US Government. AP Lit and Compostition. Economics. Sociology. Bible. Spanish 4. PE. AP Biology. </p>

<p>Should I keep my sights set on chicago? Are there any other schools that offer a great education in Biology with less selective admissions?</p>

<p>I think that you should apply to U of Chicago, and look to other schools. Since it is a selective school you are not assured admissions, but you definitely have a chance. Dont ever think that a school is too good for you. How would you know your chances for sure if you never apply. Plus, there are other schools which will offer you a great education just like U of C. Look into colleges with great biology programs because you may find one you like even better. One point of improvement I would suggest. Your standardized test scores. A 28 is great (rhymes) but I would shoot for a little higher, perhaps 31 or so, or at least make sure your science and math subscore is a little better. Also, take some SAT II sciences. Take a science and math iic one, maybe even two science ones (the ones you are best at). Make sure you prepare for these tests though. THey are supposed to measure your intelligence but you can definitely prepare for them and improve your scores. O and for the ACT buy "the act for braniacs." Hope i helped.</p>

<p>Can I take the SAT sciences without taking the SAT I? I'm not very strong in writing and am wary of taking it because of the emphasis in writing. I'll be sure to buy the book. Thanks a lot.</p>

<p>yea, the sat's for the sciences are called the sat II's. THere shoudl be a list of them, ask your counselor for a list and take them twice. It always helps to take them twice. O yea! you might want to take the SAT II's in classes that you have taken at teh AP level. I think that best prepares you and you may want to buy a help book. for chem i suggest the barron's book. i am not sure about the other sciences</p>

<p>I am not sure, but you might have to take the writing one anyway it goes. there is one for teh act and sat and i think colleges recquire them, check chicago's website to see. But it should not hurt you too much if you plan on being in the sciences.</p>