Schools:
Not sure how I compare with other students, that’s why I need help. Harvard’s my dream school, but that’s a reach for everyone and I think the University of Michigan is more reasonable. Georgetown looks good too, but I’m not sure how I compare to other prospective students applying to top schools. I would appreciate some recommendations for a tiered list that would make sense for me. I enjoy a competitive environment, school spirit isn’t important to me (but doesn’t matter either way), size isn’t huge but I’d prefer something broadly in the middle (3,000-25,000). Price is definitely a consideration but I want to create a tiered list first. Feel free to place me in a reality check, I may need one honesty.
Demographics:
Middle class, white, male
Rural midwest public
None accepted to elite schools. Few to UMich every year. No legacy/clear hook.
Intended Major: Political Science
ACT/SAT/SAT II (Projected): SAT: 1510 (780 M, 730 R)
ACT: 34 (35 E, 35 M, 35 R, 32 S)
SAT Subjects scheduled in Math 2 and Literature. Though, will these even matter with COVID?
UW/W GPA and Rank:
4.0/4.056, Rank 5 of 425
- Strange AP weighting, nothing for honors. If I were weighed traditionally, it would be about a 4.6.
Coursework:
All honors, 9 total. No APs allowed Freshman year, 1 allowed for most students as a Sophomore. School offers 12 or so APs. Will have 9 APs and 9 honors by graduation.
Scheduled to take AP Bio, Lit, German, American History, and Calc AB my senior year.
Career centered electives like psychology, statistics, law, speech, and debate.
Earned a 4 on WHAP. Expecting a 4/5 in Stats, 4 in Lang, and 5 in Gov.
Awards:
Competed with Saxophone at district and state Solo and Ensemble, earning 13 first divisions and 5 second divisions.
Selected to perform with 8 various honor bands at several universities and schools in the state.
School Social Studies Convocation 2x
Varsity and Academic Letters
Honor Roll 3x
Potentially AP scholar awards? Don’t know yet.
*Maybe a weak spot here, but saxophone isn’t included in most national competitions and my school doesn’t have any volunteering awards, even though I’d qualify likely for the gold or silver presidential one.
Extracurriculars: (no particular order):
Drum Major, Marching Band- Conduct/direct 120+ members in parades & games, lead rehearsals, appoint/train leadership, coach players, organize events, mediate disputes.
President, National Honor Society- 200+ members. Notable projects include 80pt of blood from biannual school drive, $7k to local cancer patients, and assisting a local non-profit donating crops to organizations helping impoverished communities.
Legal Work- Shadowing 2 professionals: a Magistrate/lawyer and Township Supervisor. Visited 4+ courtrooms. Paid worker at polling sites and intern at city hall.
S.E.R.V.E. Group- Awarded school credit for 150+hr of documented service. Regularly visit nursing homes and elementary schools. 300hr undocumented, 450hr total service.
Academy Ambassador- Selected as an advocate to interact with the public at events, leading tours, answering questions, and speaking to large groups about our new school.
Member, Youth Advisory Committee- $100k spent annually investing in youth. Community grants creating libraries & parks, student scholarships, and aid fighting addiction & depression.
Church Orchestra- Mentoring other young members while volunteering and rehearsing/performing with a mixed gospel choir-orchestra.
Judge, State Supreme Court Moot Court- Mock trial held at the Supreme Court with 20 students, led by law students and retired attorneys. Spoke with the Chief Justice and viewed a real case.
Music Programs- Enrolled and participated in 7 collegiate music and drum major programs over four years.
Principal Soprano/Alto Saxophonist, General Music- Top ensemble, after school jazz group, musical pit. Lead sectionals, organize volunteer performances. 7yrs of private lessons from 3 professionals.
Essays/LORs/Other:
Hopefully strong, asked my government teacher, band director, and school service coordinator. Will I need another academic teacher or does music count?
I think my draft essay is unique, definitely room for improvement though.
Thanks to anyone if you made it this far, I really appreciate it!