Do I have a chance at attending these schools?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bucknell University
1

<p>What are my chances of getting into Bucknell, Lafayette, Williams (my aunt is alumni here, makes large contributions to the school, and is willing to write me a letter of recommendation), Boston University, Rutgers, Duke, the University of Delaware, and Lehigh? Or are they all extreme reach schools?</p>

<p>I am a junior private Catholic school with a very good reputation.
Also if you could mention schools in the North East that would be less of a reach, or a sure bet, this would be appreciated.
Weighted GPA: 4.1 Unweighted GPA: 4.1</p>

<p>(I have not yet taken the SATS so I realize it will be difficult to determine any real chances, but have recently taken the PSATS and am hoping to raise these scores quite a bit. Especially in math.)</p>

<p>Writing: 650
Critical Reading: 620
Math: 590 (I know)</p>

<p>So far I have been on the honor roll each semester since freshman year.
Rewards are given out for the student with the highest GPA in each class.
Freshman year: History, French 1 award, and general academic excellence
Sophmore year: Scripture, French 2, and general acedemic excellence
Unsure for junior year.</p>

<p>Unfortunately no honors classes freshman year. Honors U.S. History sophmore year. Honors British Lit, World History, and French 3 junior year. Hopefully for senior year AP History, AP English, Honors Math, Honors French 4, and unsure of the other courses as of now.</p>

<p>I have over 100 hours of community service (hoping to add more). I have volunteered at the same adult day care center for 3 summers now and as VP of NHS hope to raise money for the center.</p>

<p>Spring Track - 3 years
Cross country - 2 years
National Honor Society - 2 years. Vice President for Junior and Senior Year.
Italian Club - 4 years (on the Executive Board for three, will be president senior year)
Life Club - 4 years (many involved projects for charity)
FBLA - 4 years (without competing)
Environmental Club - 4 years
Drama Club - 3 years (involves an annual Coffee House Cabaret I perform in)
Part time job as a life guard at a park near my house (2 years, summer job)
Published several stories in my schools literary magezine
Art Club: 2 years
Not really sure if this one counts but (assist my father at his shipping business answering phones, filing, etc. He is the president.)
I have a one very solid reccomendation letter as well as another from my guidance counselor, and am sure of several others.</p>

<p>If anyone can suggest extracurriculars I could add to this list that would really dazzle the admissions officers it would be greatly appreciated because I am aware I don’t exactly have a “wow” factor for extracurriculars. I love writing so do you think an internship at a journalism company would help? Writing for the local newspaper? Thank you so much.</p>

2

<p>Wow, I just realized the way I spelt extracurriculars and a few other words. Sorry about that =p. Also I forgot to add I am number 10 out of 254 as far as class rank goes.</p>

3

<p>I think you've got a good batch of schools there. </p>

<p>Duke and Williams look like reaches.
UDel looks like your safety.
The others seem to be matches. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

4

<p>Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.</p>

5

<p>Check out Clark University and the College of the Holy Cross, both in Worcester. Maybe Trinity College in Hartford. Also Villanova and Fordham. </p>

<p>Look for schools at which SATs are optional...that includes Holy Cross, Bowdoin, and Middlebury, Hamilton, Franklin and Marshall, Connecticut College, and Bates.</p>

6

<p>USATODAY.com</a> - More universities are going SAT-optional</p>

<p>Here's a link to a list of some of the better SAT-optional colleges.</p>

7

<p>Thanks, I'm hoping to get those up because I know how low they are for a lot of these schools =/. However, do you think anything major could help me out such as if I work really hard to get at least 500 volunteer hours or something like that?</p>

8

<p>Be you, LilC37. Don't try to do what you think the administration wants to see, because chances are it's not even what they're looking for. Do what you love and I think Bucknell will appreciate that</p>

9

<p>Hi there!</p>

<p>Don't "engineer" activities or community service to pad your resume. Admissions committees can spot a resume builder a mile away. They want you to do things you love and to be passionate about those things. That's most important.</p>

<p>On to your schools:</p>

<p>I think Williams, even with a strong recommenadation from your aunt, is a reach and I think Duke is a reach as well. </p>

<p>UDel, BU and Rutgers look reasonable. Lehigh? It depends on the school to which you apply, but if you show a lot of interest, go to campus and hit mid 600's on your SATs you should be fine. Their RD pool can get really competitive though, so if you fall in love with the school, and it's your first choice, think about applying ED.</p>

<p>I agree with the posters who recommended Conn, Franklin and Marshall, Villanova and Clark. Also have a look at Muhlenburg, Gettysburg, Skidmore, Dickinson, Hobart and William Smith, Fairfield, Providence and Loyola (Md.). Good luck.</p>

10

<p>I think you have an overabundance of ec's -- colleges are not looking for a kid that spreads him/herself thin, but that has a passion in an area or two. Youll have a leadership position in a club, you've volunteered in one place continually, your sport is good. What you must concentrate on from now on, is bringing up your scores. Sign up for ACT, perhaps that will be a better fit for you.</p>

11

<p>I agree with the poster who said you already have a lot of ec's. You do. Try to narrow it down and extend the real interests. </p>

<p>And be YOU, like another poster said. You sound like you have lots to offer a college. I bet there are lots of excellent schools that would love to have you just as you are. </p>

<p>How far south do you want to go? You could look into Wake Forest, Sewannee University of the South, Vanderbilt, Rhodes College, Rice, Baylor, William and Mary, and tons of others in other parts of the country. If you're interested in Catholic schools, then Google it and there is a national organization (can't remember the name)that oversees Catholic colleges. Their website has a list of schools throughout the country. </p>

<p>Good luck next year!!</p>

12

<p>Try taking the ACT. I had SATs right around where you were and wound up with a much higher score on the ACT...</p>