I am finishing up junior year and absolutely love colleges in big cities. I also want to pursue the Ivy League but at the same time I am not sure how I measure up! I love UPenn, Harvard, and Columbia. With these stats could I get into any of these? And how could I improve, if I can? I am also in IB if that helps at all!
Gpa: 3.9 UW 4.75 W
Rank: looking like I’ll finish up valedictorian or salutatorian of my class
Sat: reading 790, writing 800, math 630 (I am studying to bring this up in June!!)
Act: also being taken in June
Extra Curriculars:
Club travel soccer player for 12 years
NHS President
Student council
Started and raised funding for school “Women Empowerment” karate & ju jitsu self defense for girls to avoid rape and sticky situations
SPCA volunteer
Food bank Volunteer
3-sport varsity athlete for 3/4 years
2nd Place in Human Rights Council at Old Dominion University model UN conference
Scholastic Bowl
AP/IB Testing:
5 on AP gov
5 on AP environmental science
5 on AP English language
4 on AP human geography
3 on AP European history
3 on AP Physics
AP bio-pending
AP chem-pending
IB psychology-pending
IB math sl-pending
So the questions still stands–am I competitive at all? Any comments are appreciated!!
Gah! I almost forgot to mention that I’m also in the running for national merit based on my score. my principal was recently notified…I don’t know if that makes a difference at all!
Barnard is somewhat less selective than Columbia, but shares most facilities. Don’t let the single-sex label fool you. You have a shot at Harvard, Penn, and Columbia, but I think you have a very good shot at admission to Barnard, so it should be on your list. I also suggest that you add University of Chicago - also slightly less selective than your top three choices (only slightly, though), and located in a wonderful, vibrant neighborhood in a great city. Unless you are planning to major in Science, consider Fordham-Lincoln Center as a low-match/near-safety. You would probably qualify for a good Merit Aid package, and you can’t get more urban than their location. Although they are best known for their Performing Arts departments, they are a full liberal arts college. Homeland Security regulations prohibit them from offering Chemistry, however, and so a pre-med or science major would have to travel up to the Bronx for classes. Instead of JMU as a safety, think about Temple. They would offer you a great scholarship, and Philly is a great city for young people. You would probably get a full ride for tuition.
@Catria and @woogzmama thanks for the suggestions! Most of the schools listed aren’t ones I had actually looked into besides Barnard so maybe I should look into them further. And VA Tech is also one I was taking into consideration as a safety; I listed JMU because it’s close to home. Also the merit aid you wrote about is something wonderful seeing as the aid from ivies is so lacking!
@Catria unfortunately I am one of the upper middle class people whose family make enough to not qualify for any aid, but also will struggle with full Ivy tuition, especially since I have two brothers in school right behind me. I have been to several websites to estimate my need based aid and none have qualified me.
Nothing against VA Tech but it is certainly not in a city! When I visited it during college I really pitied my friends. JMU is in a small town too. Have you thought about Georgetown, GWU, American U, U of Richmond, and VA state schools VCU and GMU? Richmond and DC are decent cities. My sister had a blast in DC for college.
Your grades and scores are great. You’ll get in a lot of places. You just have to be sure you can pay for them. Have the conversation now with your parents about how much they can contribute. Good luck!
Parents with strong students instate have reported they cannot consider UVA a lock because of the competitiveness and lack of space for al qualified applicants.
From you other thread, I don’t think that you’re in the running for National Merit. VA’s cut off is above a 210. Your principal was likely confused over your likely Commended Status.
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Unless you are planning to major in Science, consider Fordham-Lincoln Center as a low-match/near-safety. You would probably qualify for a good Merit Aid package,
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Fordham’s merit is always iffy unless you’re a NMF. Try and see.
Yes, schools like Temple (and Alabama) will give you free tuition.
Have you asked your parents HOW MUCH they’ll spend each year? If not, do so…you need to know that. Some high income people have their money tied up, so they can’t pay nearly as much as the NPCs say that they can.
Thanks to everyone who has been so helpful on this thread! @OspreyCV22 the problem is that my parents are more willing to pay for me to go to schools like UVA that are public and cheaper than others for me. I will definitely talk to them about what they are really willing to pay.
