Does my 31 ACT doom me at top schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

So, yeah I’ve posted a few times before, and I’m only posting again becuase I’m slightly bored in Morocco right now because I’ve finished studying Arabic for the night and it’s too late, and too therefore dangerous, to go out into the Medina al-Qadeema without my host family (they’re asleep).

Schools:
Reach: Georgetown SFS (EA), Yale, Upenn (Huntsman), U Chicago, Stanford, Princeton Woodrow Wilson, Harvard (because why the not?), U Michigan, John Hopkins, Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Dartmouth (I will cut down this list)

Target: OSU, University of Cincinnati, Miami University (in Ohio)

Safety: A few HBCUs in Mississippi. According to what they’ve told me. I’d get a full ride, but I want to shoot “higher” if I can.

Here are my stats:
Unweighted GPA: 3.82 (will shoot for a strong upward trend senior year of course)
Weighted GPA: 4.34
ACT Score: 31 (Up 1 point from a 30, I can’t take it again, I’m gone this summer)
SAT: Not yet taken, debating on whether or not to take in sept
SAT 2: took math 2, Latin, and Bio E in June, waiting for scores
Class Rank: Top 10%-- 63/712, subject to change though

Current Course Load: Honors Physics, AP Biology, AP Language and Composition, Honors Pre-Calculus, Government, Latin III

Senior Course Load: AP Econ, AP Literature and Comp, AB Calc, AP Latin, AP Computer Science Principles, Art (this is a required class)

EC:
Varsity Football
Varsity Track
President of School Cultural Club,
Tutor at local elementary school
I also tutor struggling high school students
Work around 15 hours a week at Old Navy
Member of Model UN
NHS
Current NSLI-Y Arabic scholar (I’m in Morocco currently studying Arabic on a State Dept. scholarship I should reach Intermediate Low level by the end of the the 7 week program)

Personal Hook:
I am part of a set of Black quadruplets (so URM, but not counting on it) and they’re all better students that me (33+ ACT, and top 5% of class, I’m a slacker right?). I know a few years ago a set of Quads got into Yale right? The Crouch quadruplets maybe?

For my essay I’m gonna really stress how being a quadruplet made me seek out individuality, and how it led to my interest in Int Relations and Arabic. I think it has the potential to be really effective, but what I think doesn’t really matter lol. Maybe you’d like to take a look?

2

I think your essay could be very interesting considering the unique setting you’re in. What’s your intended major?

3

Whoops, I thought I indicated that, my bad. My I want to double major in Intl Relations and Economics, with a minor in Arabic @InamoratiAnon

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Also, I probably won’t reply right away to anyone who graces me with a reply, because it is very late here in Morocco.

5

I think for your reach list, you should definitely focus more on Georgetown on UChicago. Both schools have different work ethics but they have an equal marketability in what you want to study. Georgetown is a hotspot for anyone interested in law as it’s in Washington, D.C. so it’s a good option to have as a reach. UChicago is (from what I understand) a very creative school with a diverse program, which could be beneficial as well. Schools like Yale and Princeton are highly selective and would be high reaches for you, so I would at least knock one of those off your list. If you were to write a supplementary essay (those usually pop up in UChicago/Stanford apps), I would definitely focus on your accomplishments that relate to your intended major (i.e. Arabic scholar, in model UN, etc.)…

6

Yrah,
I’m definitely gonna emphasize the whole Arabic/ model UN/ Cultural Club thing. So you don’t think these schools are absolutely out of question @InamoratiAnon?

7

I would add George Washington U as a safety. Great international relations program.

Are your siblings all applying to the same schools?

8

Like I get Yale Princeton, etc are high reaches for everyone others than like Malia Obama (she’s really smart tho), but what about Georgetown? I know it’s a teacher for most, and probably a reach for me, but is it a high reach?

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We are applying to Harvard, Yale and maybe Columbia together. The rest are different

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@suzyQ7

11

Georgetown is also a reach for everyone, but clearly easier than HYP. The URM will help. You have to show them why you are a great fit for the school, and write a killer essay. In the meantime, find safeties you LOVE and get started on your essays.

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I don’t see anything wrong with applying to a few reaches. I think your best choices (considering your major, stats, etc.) are Georgetown and UChicago, maybe a few more like Cornell or Columbia in the mix. I wouldn’t spend all your money on a lot of reach schools, though.

13

My friend was waitlisted at UChicago with a 31 but another was rejected. I think you are selling yourself short by not considering schools that are maybe just a little bit less prestigious. You’d be a shoe in for BU, Northeastern, NYU, American, George Washington, and Boston College! All have excellent programs in what you are interested! NSLIY will be a huge asset though. Please share that in your essays, introduce yourself to your admissions counselors, international relations department heads and advisors! Make yourself KNOWN! That makes all of the difference!

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Also these school have amazing scholarships for students of color. They are dedicated to empowerment and diversity, it is absolutely wonderful and I am so blessed to see so many of my friends’ lives changed by their programs! Definitely apply!

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I sure will, I’m really “known” at Georgetown, I’ve met a few deans and such. I haven’t really visited any others schools, because I just haven’t had the time to visit. And don’t worry, I have safeties I love, so I’ll be happy wherever I end up. I just want to aim high, though I’ll probably fall short, it doesn’t hurt to try. So do I have an chance at these “elite” schools? Is it a waste of money to even bother applying? Also, I’ve finished a draft of my essay (pending revision) would anykne like to take a look?

16

From my limited experience, I would say Georgetown is definitely a reach. Maybe you should take the SAT if you can make the time to prepare. If it’s equivalent to more than a 31, you’d probably stand a much better chance. I do, however know some ppl with a 30-31 ACT scores who got into Georgetown though. You should apply to the best schools because you might just pass muster and the hook you mentioned just might be enough!

17

I’d add a few more targets. UCincinnati is a safety, and you’re a match for the Cincinnatus (apply as early as you can). American and the Frederick Douglass Scholars would be a good match to add, as well as Macalester. Tufts should definitely be on that list. UMD College Park + Banneker/Stamps scholarships.
As far as HBCU’s go, DEFINITELY apply to Howard and Morehouse.
At Yale, Princeton, et al, coordinate with your brothers. I think Tufts or Yale would be good choices for a “quadruplets apply ED/REA/SCEA somewhere”.

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I’d love to apply EA to a school like Yale, Princeton, etc, but I can’t make a comment like that without knowing for sure what kind of aid we’d get.

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And yeah, I’m giving Howard a good look. I’m really liking what I see there.

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Yale or Princeton are 100% need and superaid, meaning you’d likely get the best financial aid possible there. You’ll get an estimate when you get your acceptance (if you’re admited).