<p>Bad: I'll be applying as a repeat junior.
Worse: My parents are in the <$75k annually group.
Killer: I'm applying to top schools.</p>
<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>] SSAT/PSAT/SAT: The practice tests indicate that I will do well on these tests. 95%+ doesn't seem out of reach, especially for SSAT.
[</em>] GPA Unweighted-Weighted: ~3.63-~4.1 by the time I apply. I've had almost straight As in high school, but I took courses in middle school that counted for HS. It's been a substantial upward trend. Does that count for anything?
[<em>] Rank: Top 15%. :/
[</em>]Course rigor: All honors/AP except for pre-calc.
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Essays: Not to sound arrogant, but I'm a fantastic writer when it comes to admissions essays. These will be cake.
[</em>] Teacher Recs: Very good.
[<em>] Principle/Counselor Rec: Very good.
[</em>]Interview: I'm also very good at these. Hopefully I can make a lasting impression.
[<em>] Hook (if any): Is URM (black) a hook? What if I'm mixed with white? Do they cancel out? :p
[</em>]Extracurriculars/Volunteering:
--10th, 11th Started my own charity-type thing. I do all of the fundraising for it. It's not officially registered as a NPO, but it's a good cause and it helps a lot. It also won't be a problem to continue running it if I get accepted.
--10th, 11th Soccer (never for a team, though, so I don't think it will help)
--9th, 10th, 11th Language (currently learning two languages independently, and am making very good progress)
--pre-HS, 9th, 10th, 11th Creative Writing
--10th, 11th Volunteering at a local elementary school. I started off tutoring, but I'm trying to set up an activity for their after school program in which I explore with the kids different subjects each month to make a "final project" (e.g. one month we'll do crafts and then put together something for the 'rents, the next we'll put together a picture book, etc.)
--10th, 11th Volunteer on Saturdays at a specialized therapeutic center
[li]Summer Programs/Awards:[/li]--Went to Duke TIP twice, but that's about it.
[/ul]</p>
<p>My ECs aren't bad, but I feel like my GPA/rank is killer, along with my grade and financial need (to give you a better idea: I'm in the <$75k/year group :/). If I write fantastic essays, get the great recs I expect, and have a great interview, along with my ECs, do you think that would slightly offset those terrible factors?</p>
<p>Thank you very much for reading, if you did. :)</p>