Just gonna make this as simple and brief as possible.
I’m an IB junior with a 3.5 GPA. It sunk down from a 3.7 to a 3.2 because I got an F in SL math my first semester, but I managed to get it up a little bit. In freshman year I was an exchange student in Spain. Since then, I’ve “interned” with a plastic surgeon for the past two years, worked at his office, become the Legislative Coordinator of our Youth in Government program (and won several awards at said program), and was accepted into a medical program for high school students at Johns Hopkins last summer. I recently took the new SAT and got a 1500 out of 1600; I’m working to get a 1550 next time. My teachers love me so they’re more than willing to write my good recommendations; I’d also have the surgeon and a state level politician write me a recommendation letter as well because I’ve worked with both of them for 2-3 years now.
So I know my GPA is pretty average; I also know that the F is crappy too look at. I’m not exactly the most impressive high school student at all, mainly because of mental health issues that really screwed me up (btw - should I mention this on my college application, or steer clear of it? I’ve heard it could negatively impact me because an admissions officer might think my “issues” will continue into college…). So basically, I’d just like someone to be realistic with me and not sugarcoat anything. Do I have any chance of getting into Boston University/College, Tufts, or Northeastern? Those aren’t the only schools I’m applying to, but I particularly love these universities. Thank you.