Hi! I’m a junior in highschool and I was just wondering if I had any chance of getting into some of the schools I’m looking into. So far the first semester of my junior year is over and I’m still on track to getting my IB Diploma. My GPA for sophomore and the first semester of junior year is very low. It was a 3.4 sophomore year and first semester this year I got a 3.1 (both unweighted). I took an AP class last year and scored a 4 on the test and will be taking two more AP tests this year (I should be able to score a 4 or 5). I took the SAT once so far and I scored a 2050. I’m planning on taking it again and I’m shooting for a 2100+ which I should be able to achieve. I’m working towards a 4.0 GPA this semester and senior year. My current extracurriculars include: NHS cabinet member last year and member this year, Class Cabinet member, Colorguard for what should be all 4 years, Officer for my campus’ Habitat for Humanity club, I’ve organized assorted donation drives, am helping to coordinate an independent Tedx event in my city, and I’m planning on taking a service trip to either Thailand or the Dominican Republic this summer. I know my GPA is very low and my SAT score is nothing special but do I have a chance at any of these schools: Boston College, Wellesley, Emory, Syracuse, Boston U, Pepperdine, UCD, NYU. Am I shooting too high? Sorry if I sound clueless but I tend to let personal issues affect my school performance and now that I’ve screwed up I’m very lost as to where I stand college-wise. Any information would be appreciated, thanks!
Look at the college data set for each school (google it) and go to Section C where you can compare your stats to those of admitted students at each school. Then make sure you have a safety or two - places you like and can afford.
Lastly, don’t waste your time accumulating ECs - it’s quality, not quantity that matters. And certainly don’t do ECs at the expense of your grades. These international service trips are fun, but frankly they just tell colleges that you are a privileged kid from an affluent family: If you really want to stand out and learn something of lifelong value, get a minimum wage job.
Hey! Fellow junior too who also wants to apply to BC and Wellesley! I think you’ve got a good shot at the latter 2 schools I listed.
Hmm your GPA is a little low but I think improvement will look great!
Oh yeah I wouldn’t bother with service trips. My dad does interviews for people who want to go to Dartmouth and he says that these are a waste of time. Try to get a job/internship, if you can.