Do I even have a chance of being accepted?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So Friday marked the beginning of March, and I am anxiously anticipating hearing back from four colleges that I applied Regular Decision to: University of Richmond, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, and Duke University. However, as time goes on, I am starting to worry that my application may not have been as competitive as it should be at these top-notch schools. </p>

<p>I am currently in the running to be the valedictorian of my graduating class of 350, and have maintained a 4.0 GPA all throughout high school. I was chosen as one of two students to attend the Governor's School for Excellence, and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State in Delaware. I was one of 25 students in the state of Delaware to receive the American Association of University Women Award for Excellence in Math and Science, and I also haven been chosen as a Delaware Secretary of Education's Scholar for my academic accomplishments in school. I am a part of 10+ extra-curricular activities at school, most of which I hold a position of leadership in. In high school, I have completed over 200 hours of community service. Also, I have held 2 jobs over the past year and take both piano and guitar lessons after school. BUT....... </p>

<p>I did absolutely terrible on my ACT/SAT tests. I took the SAT three times, and the highest I could get is a 1620, 1010 CR/M . I took the ACT once and got a 24 composite, 26 English/Math average :( </p>

<p>I knew in my heart that these would not be good enough for those four colleges, but my parents convinced me not to take the standardized tests again because it was too much money, and our family is short on cash as it is. </p>

<p>I normally do great on tests. I have even gotten perfect scores on some of my final exams in high school and my high school has been recognized by the Delaware Department of Education as one of the most challenging and best public schools in the state of Delaware. It was actually ranked number 1 among public schools here, so it's not like it's easy for people to score well on their final exams. </p>

<p>But when I took the SAT/ACT, I guess I just froze up. I don't think these scores accurately represent my academic abilities, and I am scared to hear back from these four colleges because I know they aren't as high as they should be. </p>

<p>So my question is, with my other accomplishments, do any of you think it's even possible that I could get accepted by UR, Duke, Georgetown, or Hopkins? :(</p>

2

<p>Okay a few questions. What was the rigor of your classes? How did you manage a 4.0 with such low test scores? Were the grades inflated? What is your safety school?</p>

<p>Your GPA is great only if you took AP/IB classes. A 4.0 out of regular isn’t tht grade. Your EC’s are decent, nothing to special to make you stand out. Your test scores basically got you rejected. I’m sorry, but JH, Duke and Georgetown are 3 of the best schools in the country (maybe the world). I have a bro that goes to JH and one at Georgetown. My bro got waitlisted at Georgetown with better scores and EC’s. He eventually got in though.</p>

<p>Basically to answer your question
Rochester: Match/High Match
Georgetown: high reach
JH: high reach
Duke: high reach</p>

<p>Unless you have legacy, you have no chance at the latter 3. Sorry.</p>

3

<p>Why on earth didn’t you apply to any of the test-optional schools?! There are many excellent schools that don’t require test scores.
[SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>

<p>What did your guidance counselor say about your list?
I don’t think anyone can accurately tell you what will happen except that as you know those scores are usually too low to get into those schools. Everything else seems great.</p>

4

<p>^Ohh yeaa that reminds me.
Why didn’t you apply to Wake Forest? It doesnt require tests and is still one of the best in the US. It’s also about 6 mi from Duke so if you kept your grades up during the first two years, you could have transferred to Duke.</p>

<p>I have amazing stats but I also applied to very small unknown colleges too just to be safe. And if you couldn’t afford tests there were always fee waivers.</p>

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<p>Did you apply to your safety schools EA?</p>

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<p>centennial13,</p>

<p>I have taken all of the AP classes offered at my high school- AP English Literature, AP Calculus, AP Geometry, AP Biology, and AP US History. My school doesn’t offer as many AP courses as some because it’s a vo-tech school. </p>

<p>I do have a legacy at JH- My Dad went there, My Grandmother did, and so did my cousin. So could that help?</p>

<p>My safety school right now is George Mason University. I’ve been accepted by University of Delaware, George Mason University, Christopher Newport University, and High Point University thus far.</p>

<p>Oh and I did think about applying to Wake Forest, but it really wasn’t my cup of tea. Since I was accepted by four colleges, I really didn’t bother applying. I was unaware that it was test-optional, so that was a bad move on my part… :(</p>

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<p>BeanTownGirl, </p>

<p>Yes, I applied to a couple of test optional schools- George Mason Univerisity and Christopher Newport University. But my test scores were high enough for me to get accepted into these ones.</p>

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<p>JoBenny, </p>

<p>Yes, I applied EA to every college that offered it-</p>

<p>University of Delaware, George Mason University, Christopher Newport University, and
High Point University. I got accepted to all four and have received some merit scholarships to each.</p>

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<p>Oh and if this makes anything better, I was reached out to interview with Georgetown and Duke. Both of the people I interviewed with seemed to like me and each one said I could fit in well at the school. Does this make a difference?</p>

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<p>Regarding alumni interview feedback: standard reply.</p>

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<p>Okay you have a slightly better chance at JH now because of the legacy, but it’s still a low reach because of your scores.</p>

<p>I do think you could have gotten into WFU because they didn’t get as many applicants at Harvard obviously but also they had 7 supplementary essays which turned people away.</p>

<p>I think it’s good at you have a safety. Atleast you’ll be going to a ranked school next year with George Mason (they rejected me lol which is perfectly fine with me because I got into a higher school)</p>

<p>Good Luck though(:</p>

12

<p>Centennial13,</p>

<p>Okay, I guess that’s a little better :slight_smile: I appreciate your honesty. I wanted to get an honest opinion so that I kind of know what to expect when my letters come in. If you don’t mind me asking, what other school did you get into and where do you think you’re going to go to school?</p>

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<p>I got into Columbia (technically - got a likely letter) and Chicago EA.
I want to go to Columbia but it’s expensive (61,800)</p>

<p>Also it’s not the end of the world if you go to George Mason, because you can always transfer after two years. I know you’ll do great no matter where you go.</p>

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<p>Wow that’s incredible! Congratulations! :slight_smile: Well if they want you at their school (which obviously they do), they’ll help you pay for it. Regardless of what you get for financial aid, though, I feel like if you’re good enough to get accepted to a place like Columbia, you should probably go there. </p>

<p>I know it’s not- I mean, I wanted to get accepted to one of those four, but I know that I have four other places that want me at their school so it’s not as bad. I kind of don’t want to transfer out after the first year, because my sister did that and I witnessed how difficult it is to get credits transferred over. I figure that if I don’t get accepted somewhere, I wasn’t supposed to go there in the first place. My plan is to just pick the best college I get accepted to and make the best of wherever I go! </p>

<p>Good luck with everything and thanks for your advice! :)</p>