I’m into politics and government, so obviously an Ivy League school would be my top choice. Right now, Harvard is my dream school, followed closely by Yale. I would really appreciate it if y’all would take a look at my qualifications here and see if Yale is a chance, or other good PolySci schools you think I could get into? Thank you so much.
AP Scores: US History (5), Psychology (5), US History (3), Lang/Comp (5)
Senior Year course load: AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Span 4, AP Environmental Science, AP Calc AB, Leadership
Few of my most important ECs:
Eagle Scout
Student Body President
Congressional Intern (CA-14)
City Hall Administrative Deputy
I work for the FBI (SF HQ)
Golf Captain (4 years), Basketball (2 years)
President of 2 Clubs, Founded 1 club (NHS, and got our school accreditted)
School Site Council President
Published political writer
Some other significant accomplishments in my field
California Boy’s State delegate (Model Congress)
Harvard University’s Pre-College Program student (Studied law)
Taken political science classes at my local JC every summer all of high school
Freshman class president, ASB VP, in several other clubs)
Several community service awards/award from mayor
800+ hours of community service with Sheriff’s department (politics related)
Notes:
1st gen American (Middle Eastern)
School counselor is a UC Berkeley Admissions reader, and I am writing some strong essays with her as my college counselor (will also have excellent counselor’s letter)
@david_p, the problem is, the very selective schools can have GPA/AP/Courses AND high SAT/ACTs. Your 31 ACT composite is at Yale’s 25th percentile, so keep your chin up.
With HYPS admit rates all hovering around 1:20, standardized testing scores that put you in the bottom 25% probably make your chances more like 1:100. Take away: take another shot at getting your scores up. ACT of 34+ and/or SAT of 2200+ would improve your odds quite a bit.
“I’m into politics and government, so obviously an Ivy League school would be my top choice.”
Well, if you want Harvard and can think on the level they can expect, you’d know lots of colleges offer superb poli sci educations.
What’s the AP 3 in (you already noted USH is a 5.) The SAT2 is on the low side for a course related to your possible major.
And I wonder if a UCB reader really knows what an Ivy wants to see in the writing, considering the UC goals have been different. Make sure she does or that you have other help with this.
A lot of kids wanting PS or PP don’t have the experiences you do. But the real issue is: do you know what the private elites look for, the qualities? This isn’t just about resume.
Absolutely retake that sat subject - you can’t afford a score below 730 in a subject relevant to your future major. Take English lit and Spanish too.
Try to get that act composite to a 32 which is the bottom threshold at the schools you mentioned.
Considering your interests, look at Georgetown, Tufts, George Washington, and American, plus UMaryland College Park, Uva, George Mason, looking into odds of sufficient financial aid via NPC and what scholarships they offer - an act 32will typically be needed.