<p>Hey everyone, I've posted here before but I feel like it would be better to post an updated version since the semester has ended. The three schools in the title are basically my reach schools; I'm going to go to one of them if I'm accepted no matter what. The only thing is I'm not sure if I could be accepted. What could I do to increase my chances? </p>
<p>Major: Physics & Astronomy</p>
<p>AP World (4)</p>
<p>Junior Year:
AP Lang
AP Calc AB
APUSH
AP Chemistry
Physics H
Academic Decathlon</p>
<p>(Don't have AP scores yet, but our school administers full-length practice tests and I got all 5s excluding Chem, which I got a 4 on.)</p>
<p>Senior year:
AP Gov
AP Microeconomics
AP Physics 2
AP Calculus BC
AP Lit
AP Statistics
Academic Decathlon</p>
<p>Self-studying:
AP Physics C: E&M and Mechanics
AP Macroeconomics </p>
<p>3.91 GPA
33 ACT
(Retaking this in fall; Taking SAT then as well)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Calculus Club
Chemistry Club
Academic Decathlon (1st in region, 2nd in state, 6th in nation. Our school is the only school to ever go to nationals in our region. We're expecting a better year next year as well. This will basically be what I write about in my essay since I am now the team captain and have put in countless hours)</p>
<p>Summer Activities:
Boys State
Studying for next year's season of Acdec
Volunteering at my local science center
Also studying for Physics C</p>
<p>Ethnicity: Hispanic/Mexican
State: Arizona
School type: Public
Rank: Top 3% of class of around 700; this should go up once everything gets updated
Income bracket: Around $120K</p>
<p>You probably don’t need to retake ACT, but that’s just my opinion.</p>
<p>Looking at your activities, nothing really stands out. Hispanic will help. You course rigor is EXCELLENT. Still, I’d call all these schools low-mid reaches.</p>
<p>@noel597 I’m doing it because I really screwed up the math section, which brought my composite down to 33 from 34. I think that I could get it up to a 35 next time, which would be helpful. I am really trying to make Academic Decathlon stand out. I’ve already been on the news 3 times for it in the past 4 months or so. that said, what can I do to make these schools not be so far a reach?</p>
<p>Yeah I had that SAME problem the first time I took it! How funny 
I ended up with a 34 on the second time. If you get a 33 again, though, it isn’t a big deal. I would expect that you’ll get a 34 on the retake, so actually yes, take it! If you don’t get a 35, don’t stress; no one really cares! Trust me :)</p>
<p>That’s pretty cool, and it’s great that you’re so involved. Try to capitalize on it.</p>
<p>What are your summer plans?</p>
<p>@noel597 </p>
<p>Boys State
Studying for next year’s season of Acdec
Volunteering at my local science center
Also studying for Physics C</p>
<p>Most of my time will be studying for Physics and Acdec though. </p>
<p>Could I get someone’s opinion on this?</p>
<p>Hispanic helps a crap load … mid reaches on all of them just have good essays</p>
<p>@commandbutton How much does that help? Like is there any way to prove that? Also, again, what could I improve on?</p>
<p>Anyone else have any opinions? I never really got any advice.</p>
<p>Your EC’s are very weak and no leadership.
Everything is centered around academics and ivy’s view that as a dime a dozen. </p>
<p>They are all low- to mid-reaches. Your academics are great and a 33 ACT is fine, but your EC’s are not up to par with that quality of school. As for your EC’s, there is not much you can do at this point. Do not join a bunch of meaningless clubs because colleges will see right through it. It would be good to get an internship or job. Definitely work the academic decathlon angle.</p>
<p>Chance back
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1654818-chance-for-duke-unc-nc-state-honors-college-will-chance-back.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1654818-chance-for-duke-unc-nc-state-honors-college-will-chance-back.html#latest</a></p>
<p>@TomsRiverParent @Nflpackers96 Is there anything else I can do to make my ECs at least somewhat better? I’ve been freaking out a little bit lately since I feel as though I’m going to be doing a lot of academics for nothing since I have weak ECs. It’s very discouraging. Am I just horribly doomed at this point? </p>
<p>well, since you’re mexican, all the schools automatically became somewhat viable if you write super good essays, so keep at it.</p>
<p>Penn, Chicago and Columbia: all reaches, but reachable given the <10% admit rates. Your EC’s are solid but not jaw-dropping.
Think about NYU as a match if you like urban environments. </p>
<p>@bradybest
Yeah I looked at it, it just costs a lot more than most others actually, so I was sort of discouraged. </p>
<p>So I am still a little frightened at the prospect of not getting accepted due to weak ECs, does anyone else have any opinions? I really don’t know what to do at this point.</p>
<p>Also if I could get a chance for Williams, Tufts, Vassar, and Amherst?</p>
<p>When you write your essay about the academic decathlon, make sure you use it to tell the reader about who you are as a person as opposed to better illustrating your success in that activity. Be humble, but show likability and/or good character.</p>
<p>@CHD2013 Yeah that sounds like a good idea. Really the reason we did so well was because me and 3 other close friends joined the team and set a goal and really just used both teamwork and friendship to encourage each other. Mainly going to highlight that part </p>