Could use some help! Mid- and top-tier schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a junior attending a top nationally ranked public high school, and I've recently been wondering where I stand. What are my chances of attending (and possibly getting merit aid in): Emory, Vanderbilt, Duke, Dartmouth, UPenn, WashU St. Louis, Cornell, Brown, Tufts, JH, Wake Forest? I'm not applying to all of the above but I'd like to get an idea. Also applying to in-state safety schools such as UF, FSU, UMiami. I'm looking to go on the pre-med or sciences track, microbiology or biomedical engineering would be my ideal major. </p>

<p>Stats:
Rank: Not given
SAT scores not received but projected to be around 2300
SAT II Physics: 720 (I plan on taking more subject tests in the future)
ACT score not received yet but projected around 32-35
AP Chem (projected 5)
AP Lang (5)
AP Lit (projected 5)
AP Physics B (5)
AP BC Calc (projected 5)
GPA 4.0 unweighted</p>

<p>Planning to take AP Bio, AP Gov/Macro, and AP Stat or Psych next year for my APs. I've also taken 2 DE classes. </p>

<p>EC's:
- Key Club member 4 years
- HOSA Vice President and co-founder 2 years
- Junior Class student council rep
- NHS member 3 years
- National Spanish Honor Society
- Diversity Club President
- Chemistry Club member 2 years
- Model UN 3 years, with 7 or 8 awards in the state level
- Spanish and math tutor 2 years
- Over 70 hours done interning/shadowing various doctors in a clinical setting through a local program
- Attended a summer camp at a medical school for 2 weeks
- Mu Alpha Theta member 3 years
- Managed and directed our school's annual talent show, it's a pretty big production
- Played clarinet for 7 years, in high school Wind Ensemble for 3.
- Taekwondo for 4 years (red belt), hopefully will bring home a prize in my upcoming competition! I'm also a junior instructor.
- Over 200 hours of community service, 100+ in the local hospital
- Participated in our local Indian association cultural festivals, won award for dance</p>

<p>My recommendation letters might not be outstanding, but I think I'll have strong essays. I got a 204 on my junior year PSAT, does the lack of National Merit Finalist hurt my chances?</p>

<p>Thanks for all the help! :)</p>

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<p>You’ve got a good chance at FSU and Miami.</p>

<p>Take your SAT and get an actual score so folks can give you an informed opinion about your chances at the rest.</p>

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<p>@mnm111‌ thank you!</p>

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<p>Do a search for each of the schools’ Common Data Set. This will give you a range for the GPA and standardized scores for each of the schools admitted students. I think you will be accepted by all of the Florida schools! If you’re going pre-med, the consensus at CC seems to be to go to a school with a low cost for you, so that you will have money for med school. UF seems stingy with merit aid, FSU has some, and Miami has good packages for their tippy top students.</p>

<p>You also will need a high GPA and MCAT score, so a very competitive school with grade deflation is generally not the recommended way to go. Also, look for a place that offers plenty of medicine related extra-curriculars. Lastly, look into each of the colleges rules on AP credit use. State schools usually are more generous with AP credit, while privates may not accept any, or they may give you credit, but not allow you to apply it towards your major or the General Education Requirements (Wake Forest for one).</p>

<p>Alabama is a merit aid favorite around here. It might be worth it to have a look. They also allow unrestricted AP credit, while Florida state schools cap the number of credits allowed at 45.</p>

<p>You are an excellent student with plenty of extra curriculars, so I am sure that next year you will have lots of acceptances from which to choose!</p>

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<p>@3boystogo thank you for all the advice!</p>

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<p>@vgirl125 You’re welcome! Please report your PSAT score and state here when you can, and help keep my thread alive! :)</p>

<p><a href=“Report your 2014 PSAT Score Here! (Juniors Only!) - #19 by HaruhiSuzumiya - SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums”>Report your 2014 PSAT Score Here! (Juniors Only!) - #19 by HaruhiSuzumiya - SAT Preparation - College Confidential Forums;