Do you think I am aiming too high?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So I finalized my college list with my parents (who think way too much of me) and I am almost confident that there is no possibility of me getting into any of the college that are on my list, esp. the first one.</p>

<p>This is me as it stands…</p>

<p>I am currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at my high school; I am a senior and one of the few African American males in the program. I attend the best public high school in the state I am in, and it is ranked in the top ten percent in the country. I</p>

<p>My unweighted GPA is 3.25 and my weighted GPA is a 4.1 and I got a 29 (32 combined) on my ACT.</p>

<p>Academically I am not the strongest, and I figure that because of this I am aiming too high, but I have been encouraged otherwise. It just sucks because I have worked so hard and undertook this rigorous honors program, and I have barely anything to show for it.</p>

<p>My extracurricular activities include:
I am current Student Body President
I am an Executive Board member (Chief of Staff) for my counties Student Government and active with my state’s student government
I am founder and president of my schools Community Service Club
I am an editor for my school newspaper
I serve as National Community Outreach coordinator for a non-profit organization
I have also held a summer job for the past two years now
And lastly I participate in my schools Drama Program (I have had two leads)</p>

<p>I have many others but those are my most notable</p>

<p>I hope that my extracurricular activities help me, because I know my academics are not that strong. My mother suffers from Multiple Sclerosis, so often, the times that I am home I have to help her do things around the house… (essay topic) I know that is not an excuse, but I have really tried my hardest over the past three years of high school.</p>

<p>I understand my list is slightly unrealistic, so please don’t criticize me too much. Also to note my grades are on an upward trend, I received a 4.0 second semester Junior year.</p>

<p>My list:
Duke University (first choice, applying ED, I would die to go here)
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill
University of Pennsylvania
University of Maryland- College Park
University of Miami
Syracuse University
University of Southern California
University of Virginia
Washington University in St. Louis
Northwestern University</p>

<p>If I don't get into Duke, my second choice is Washington University in St. Louis </p>

<p>(I have received junk-mail from all of these places before...if that means anything)</p>

2

<p>You seem to be looking for any advice, so here’s what I would say. I am only another senior, but I hope my opinion helps somehow!</p>

<p>Duke University (first choice, applying ED, I would die to go here) - Low Reach
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - Don’t really know. Match maybe?
University of Pennsylvania - Reach
University of Maryland- College Park - Match
University of Miami - Match
Syracuse University - In (Don’t really know too much)
University of Southern California - Low reach possibly
University of Virginia - Low reach
Washington University in St. Louis - Low reach
Northwestern University - Low reach</p>

<p>I don’t know too much about the schools you’ve listed, but your credentials are solid. You should be proud of what you have. I’m in the IB program as well, and I know colleges respect its rigor. A 29 on the ACT should put you at least in the range of the schools you’re looking at. Your GPA may be a little low, but you are obviously involved in school life.</p>

<p>If you would love to go to Duke, there is no reason not to apply ED. I think you could get in! You never know so at least try! And I’m sure you will get into some of the schools you’ve listed. Don’t worry too much, and make sure you have a safety school you’d be happy to go to (Maryland, Miami?)</p>

3

<p>Your list looks reasonable. You have a real shot at all.</p>

4

<p>i read “3.2 gpa”. <em>boom</em> chances shoot down.</p>

<p>i’m sorry if this sounds very insensitive, but unless you have
something EXTREMELY unusual/extraordinary that you didn’t mention, I don’t think
you have a chance at any of the first 4. The rest, perhaps.</p>

5

<p>make sure you have a safety school you’d be happy to go to (Maryland, Miami?) </p>

<p>Make sure you have financial match and safety schools as well.</p>

<p>I don’t think
you have a chance at any of the first 4. The rest, perhaps. </p>

<p>I have absolutely no idea how you can have better chances at WashU and Northwestern than you can at UMaryland, so maybe take that post with a “grain of salt”.</p>

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<p>you might stand a good chance.but the 3.25 gpa is kinda low.</p>

7

<p>Duke University (first choice, applying ED, I would die to go here) - Very high reach
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - low reach
University of Pennsylvania -Very high reach
University of Maryland- College Park - match
University of Miami - match
Syracuse University - match
University of Southern California - reach
University of Virginia -reach
Washington University in St. Louis - high reach
Northwestern University - high reach</p>

8

<p>Totally go for it. Colleges and Universities love diversity, and being a minority myself (hispanic), I have experience with affirmative action. You have a lot of potential though in your resume. I think you have a good shot at Duke, and you could very well get into Northwestern (I’ll admit it…I’m hispanic and got a 27 on my ACT and got into Medill…the hardest of the schools to get into, but I think my essay killed it since I enjoy writing). Good luck!!</p>

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<p>Syracuse is safe, maybe choose one other absolute safety to avoid devastation?</p>

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<p>thanks for the input everyone.
I applied to Duke Early Decision, so I guess we will see what happens. I know my stats are less than impressive so I probably won’t get in, but it is my dream school.</p>

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<p>look you are a decent fit dont sell yourself short just make sure you have a saftey or safeties somewhere just to makesure you get in somewhere chance me back. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1033113-chance-me-ill-chance-you-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1033113-chance-me-ill-chance-you-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Your schools are more than reasonable. You have balance in your college choices ranging from the safeties to reaches. </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1031518-chance-me-lehigh.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1031518-chance-me-lehigh.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

13

<p>bump.</p>

<p>please chance me! i promise, i will chance back.</p>

14

<p>Duke University-High Reach
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill-Mid Reach
University of Pennsylvania-High Reach/Impossible
University of Maryland- College Park-unfamiliar
University of Miami-high match
Syracuse University-match
University of Southern California-low reach
University of Virginia-high reach
Washington University in St. Louis-high reach
Northwestern University-high reach
IMO, you are aiming far too high. Your GPA isn’t good without anything to make it up (Athlete, etc)
Chance back
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1023030-chance-me-everywhere-ill-chance-you-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1023030-chance-me-everywhere-ill-chance-you-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I don’t like your lack of confidence in yourself. This can affect your chances even more than a low GPA. The problem with most students is that they seek to define themselves in terms of some stupid numbers and let this decide their future. I don’t think that your GPA should discourage you. It appears that you were active in high-school and your esc are good if you prove your dedication in each of them.
Good Luck!</p>

<p>You could chance me too if you like, but only if its not too much of a bother.</p>

16

<p>^^^ poly, you’re wrong. he’s got a hook: URM</p>

<p>Duke University- Reach
University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - high match
University of Pennsylvania- reach/high reach
University of Maryland- College Park - low match
University of Miami - match
Syracuse University - high match
University of Southern California - low reach
University of Virginia - reach
Washington University in St. Louis - reach
Northwestern University - reach</p>

<p>so yes, you are aiming a tad high. but its fine because you have schools that you should get into.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1032344-low-uw-gpa-chances.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1032344-low-uw-gpa-chances.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>bump.</p>

<p>i’ll chance you back!</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>Unfortunately, rigor does not compensate for a low GPA at top schools. Even for URMs.</p>

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<p>Your GPA and SAT are quite low for many of those schools, but don’t let CC people dissuade you from applying. You do have a chance!</p>

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<p>Does your school rank?</p>