Help Finding Match Schools

College Search & Selection
1

Honestly, I have no idea how to research schools or find ones that are matches for me. My dream school is UPenn but realistically, I know I should be looking at schools I have a greater chance of getting into. I’m pretty much on my own for this process so any advice as to what schools I should look into, how to look into them, or how to decide which schools to apply to would be helpful. I live in Florida so the University of Florida and Florida State University are going to be my safety schools, but I really want to go out-of-state. I’m hoping to apply to a lot of scholarships once I know where I want to go because money could also be an issue.

Intended Major: Either biology or chemistry (pre-med)

Academics:
Unweighted GPA - 4.0
Weighted GPA - 5.0351
Class Rank - 6/456
SAT: 1470 (If I superscore. I’ve taken it 3 times. I know I should take it again but I don’t know… any advice?)
SAT II: 690 Math II, 740 Chemistry (again, I know they’re low but I’m not the best test taker)
ACT: 31 (I only took it once and was sick)
PSAT: 1460
AP/AICE Tests:
9th Grade - Human Geography (4)
10th Grade - Biology (4), World History (4), AICE Math (B), AICE General Paper (A)
11th Grade - Chemistry (5), Calculus AB (5), Seminar (4), English Language and Composition (4), Psychology (4)
12th Grade - I’m taking AP Gov/AP Macro, AP Literature, AP Physics, AP Calculus BC
Dual Enrollment:
American Social Problems, Sociology, Anthropology, Archaeology, US History (both semesters), Nutrition

ECs:
-4 years of Medical Academy at my school
-Active Key Club member (4 years)
-Science National Honor Society member for 3 years, board member for 2 years
-Over 900 community service hours by the time I graduate from high school (mix of local food pantry and medical academy volunteer work)
-I tutored Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre Calc for 3 years (inside and outside of school)
-I’m a 17 year old supervisor at a store at the mall
-Active National Honor Society member (3 years)
-Active Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Member (Went to regionals, states, and internationals)
-Board member of the first Medical Academy Student Board

Awards:
-2nd Place in Community Emergency Response Team event at HOSA regionals, 1st place in states, made it to the second round at internationals
-National AP Scholar/AP Scholar with Distinction
-Top 5% in my school for 3 years in a row
-Superior Scholar Award at my School for 2 years

Extra Info:
Colombian Female (I was born in Colombia but I’m fluent in both English and Spanish)
4 years of French
EMT and Pharmacy Technician certified by the time I graduate high school
EMR, EKG, HIPPA, BLS, CPR certified

2

If you like UPenn, it would seem you would like to attend a large school in an urban environment. However, if your potential preferences might develop more broadly, look into smaller schools such as Haverford (possibly a reach), Colby (and other NESCACs) and Mt. Holyoke – colleges which would be strong in your academic areas of interest while offering a strong undergraduate focus. In terms of a larger school, URochester would be notably solid for your interests.

3

Definitely apply to UPenn ED.
Have you run the NPC?
Do you know your EFC?
What majors are you interested in?

For matches, apply EA to some “seven sisters” colleges (the seven sister schools to the Ivies/little ivies, for the sisters of the boys attending these elite schools - today, some have been integrated into the men’s college, but the remaining “sisters” remain elite colleges. They include Wellesley, Bryn Mawr, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Barnard.)