I’m a second semester junior and I’m currently facing a lot of anxiety regarding college acceptances next year. I’m not really sure what schools will be a reach or target school just because of my lack of extra curriculars. What schools do you think I would have a chance at? Here’s my profile (my school only offers Honors classes in English and History, and we are only allowed to take two AP classes per year, AP classes are year round)
Adopted from South Korea
GPA: 4.01 UW
SAT: 1350 (practice test)
Freshman year:
Algebra 1: A
Biology: A
Business and Finance: A+
Honors English 9: A+
Honors World History: A+
Music Appreciation: A
Spanish 1: A
Spanish 2: A
Wellness: A
Sophomore year:
Geometry: A
Algebra 2: A-
American Systems (similar to Civics): A+
Child Development: A+
Computer Programming: A+
CP Chemistry: A
Honors English 10: A+
Software Applications: A+
Spanish 3: A
Junior year:
Accounting (community college class): A-
Advanced Chemistry: A-
Precalculus: B
AP English (first semester): A-
AP United States History (first semester): A+
I struggle with math and I had a loaded schedule this past semester - five classes in a four block schedule
This semester I am in Psychology, Advanced Biology, AP English and AP United States History. I will likely take AP Calculus next year.
ECs:
Varsity lacrosse (4 years)
Co-captain of math team
National Honor Society
Over 200 community service hours (library, hospital, food pantry)
Will be doing a Christian missionary trip with my mom
Hopeful attendee of St. Paul’s Summer Program
Not really expecting many answers, I know my ECs are weak but I’m hoping to get into a school like Union College or maybe even Keene State.
I think your chances for Union College are good. Keene State should be a lock for you and probably a safety school for you. Rather than worry about your ECs, make sure you show demonstrated interest in the reach school you really want to go after. Do official visits through the admissions office, write letters letting them know you’ll definitely come if accepted and how you’ll add to the student body in a unique way. When you write your essay, make sure something unique about you comes through so they know who you are. My daughter (Bowdoin '23) was advised NOT to write about a service trip abroad because the admissions office gets thousands of those same type of essays. If you want to reach for Bowdoin, get your SAT up 200pts and a score of 5 on AP Calc will help make you more competitive and try to take on a leadership role in some activity. Quality and depth of ECs is usually better than quantity. If there’s a school you want to reach for, consider applying ED if the financial side is not an issue for your family. Even if you don’t get in ED, that shows the school it’s your first choice and likely to increase your chances if you continue to pursue admission in RD. If you were willing to commit in the ED round, then the school knows there’s a high likelihood you’ll commit in RD.
First thing I want to tell you is lower the stress level because your portfolio is impressive. Second, having been through this several times, the process can be random as well as predictable. You can apply to Bowdoin with SAT scores of 1250 and get admitted, and you can apply with 1500 and get admitted. Same goes for other schools. My oldest is at Yale and he got into nearly every school he applied including Duke, Brown, UPENN, Bowdoin, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, U of Chicago, Washington U… yet was waitlisted at Lehigh and Tulane. Something like that only makes sense if you think the waitlist schools are thinking this kid is too qualified so let’s see if he can demonstrate interest. And therein lies my point, colleges want to know 1) you genuinely have an interest in them and 2) they want to see who you are. If you are including a lot of extracurricular but only doing each one for a short period of time… that is a red flag. That shows someone trying to compile rather than display commitment. My twins just got back all their decisions for 2024 and while their test scores were in your range they are admitted to schools like Williams and University of Southern California and Bates and Lehigh and Brandeis… Some things are out of your control but what is in your control is your schoolwork, your test scores, your extracurricular activities and your essay. I am going to stress essay because this is an amazing opportunity to show them who you are. And consider asking an English teacher at your school to review it. One admission person told my twins, when we read your essay we like to be able to walk down a hall and pick you out in a crowd. Best of luck to you and seriously lower the stress level… you are definitely on the right track and see no reason why you wouldn’t have a good shot at the two schools you listed. Consider compiling a list of a couple of safeties, some competitive schools and a reach or two. Lastly, the rules of college engagement changed in 2019 which means even after you are admitted and even after you accept and send your deposit, other schools can and will recruit you all the way to August. Used to be hands off but now it is fair game, meaning you might find other opportunities after you accept. And you can take your scholarship offers and aid offers and show to other schools and see if they will match or do better. Good luck!
Pre calc is where a lot of strong math students start to have trouble. I noticed you doubled up on math last year - that may not have served you well. If your foundation is shaky it will be harder to progress. Consider some serious review of last year’s math. Khan Academy would work.