Could I go Ivy?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi, I have worked hard throughout my high school career, and now that senior year is approaching I’m really leaning towards attending a higher-tier school- they just have so much opportunity and I know I’ll leave with useful personal connections. So… just lemme know if you think I have a shot! I was thinking Cornell and UPenn, and schools like Hopkins and Boston U as well… plus UDelaware and Villanova as safe schools.

So I attend a small private school in Maryland, 50 kids to a grade. They don’t rank, but I know I’m top 10% from my induction to the Cum Laude Society.
GPA around 3.9

SAT: 1830 first time (what a mess)
Second time around 2110 (730 Writing, 700 reading, 680 math)
Just took them again so hoping to be closer to a 2200

SATs are rough… 620 math 2, 580 bio, 540 us history… hoping these aren’t hugely considered.

Took hardest courses at my competitive school,
Honors Precalc Sophomore, AP Bio sophomore
Junior Year AP Calc, AP English Comp, AP Chem, AP US History… thinking 4’s+ on calc english & history… 1 on chem.

National Honor Society, Cum Laude Society, National French Honor Society, Art Honor Society.

Newspaper Reporter and moved up to Editor.

Varsity Volleyball and Tennis all throughout high school

Played Piano for 11 years, have competed In National Guild competition and done very well, recitals, charity events, nursing homes, etc. May consider minoring in this so it looks like I did it for a reason other than leisure…

Lifeguarded at Local Pool every summer, this year made a Head Guard.

Volunteered 2 years at local Hospital for 50 hours each year, went on Appalachia Service project (mission trip) last year.

Recommendation letters should be good from my teachers, I’m not that flamboyant or anything in class but I work hard and they are experienced and I know they come qualified.

Thinking of going into biomedical engineering or premed program

Thanks so much for any opinions, information, or advice!!

2

Also I’m a white female, and that GPA is unweighted

3

You have a high GPA and low-ish test scores.
The biggest issue you have is that your test scores (pretty much across the board) do not support your GPA.

Unless your HS is very well known to the admissions officers, they might just draw the conclusion that your HS was not particularly rigorous.

I think Cornell and Penn are totally out of reach for you.
BU and Hopkins are good reaches. Villanova and Delaware are matches. You need some safeties…

4

If you are aiming for Ivy, Hopkins then your SAT 2 scores need to be a bit higher. Can you retake them? The SAT I score is decent but the math could be a tad higher.

What is your intended major?

5

I’ll be a tad more straightforward, if an Ivy school is your objective, you will have to be a lot higher on your SAT or ACT. So, for a white female from the mid-Atlantic region (which is very competitive region) an ACT of 33 or higher or a SAT of 2200+ would be the inflection point for serious consideration.

6

You need to bring up those SAT II’s and hopefully that SAT is around a 2200! Biomedical at Hopkins is #2 in the country and their medical school is #2, so I think that will be a reach along with Penn. I think you have a relatively better shot at Cornell. BU and Villanova are a mid-reaches, but I cannot speak on behalf of UDel. Best of luck!

7

Yes you could go ivy, depending on what major you apply for.

8

Your various test scores make you not particularly competitive for the Ivies. At least in the past, Harvard has given as much or more weight to subject test scores than the SAT, itself. Thus, the low SAT II scores are particularly detrimental.

9

You should give the ACT a shot and see if it’s the better test for you.

10

I agree, you SAT scores need to be higher (subject tests).
Maybe after that you’ll have a shot at Cornell or the rest.

11

Re:#6 - I don’t know what 0bro0123 means by “Ivy,” but most of the eight colleges within the Ivy League conference do not admit by major. What did you mean, 0bro0123, and what do you base your statement on? I think that Cornell, Penn, and Hopkins are huge reaches for the OP, but Cornell might be worth applying to.