HELP ME OUT: A Hispanic girl's chance at an Ivy?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hi! I'm a rising senior in HS, and As my title suggests, I was wondering if anyone could take the time to tell me if my stats are good enough to even consider applying to an Ivy considering that I'm an URM?</p>

<p>SAT: 1950 (not superscored, but I did take it 3 times)
Math: 660
Reading: 650
Writing: 640</p>

<p>I haven't taken any subject tests yet but I plan on it for the next available SAT date. Sadly I don't have time to retake the SAT 
I might take the next ACT...</p>

<p>I don't know my unweighted GPA but my weighted is a 101.405.</p>

<p>If there was an honors version of a class i was taking, i took it. Took two college chem classes and plan on taking a college bio class. Ive taken loads of science classes. And I go to a STEM school.</p>

<p>My rank is 7/about 750.</p>

<p>As for ECs - Student Council, NHS, Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (went to states both of the years I participated), Key Club, Track and Field, Executive Council</p>

<p>As for community service, Im just a really active member of my church...</p>

<p>Havent shadowed at all...</p>

<p>Im fluent in Spanish, wasn't born in the US. </p>

<p>Im the first in my family to apply to college in the US (My mom went to college in another country, and my Dad didnt even finish middle school... neither of my parents are very fluent in English, so I basically taught myself English and helped myself do my homework growing up lol)</p>

<p>So should I even apply? </p>

<p>Ill apologize in advance for any typos lol, but any comments, thoughts, or information you guys have to say would be GREATLY appreciated! </p>

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<p>you should definitely apply but even with urm and first gen they will be a high reach, especially with your SAT score. try taking the ACT instead and see if that is better than your SAT because with below a 2000, there will be tons more competitive students with great hooks like yours. but good luck! :slight_smile: </p>

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<p>@imsoworried‌ Yay! My first response! :slight_smile: Thanks for your opinion and encouragement! I’ll definitely try the ACT</p>

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<p>

You should apply to the schools that would waive the application fee for you.</p>

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<p>Unfortunately, not good enough, we are talking about IVY’s here.
But anything is possible . So take SAT subject test and take the ACT, with hope of replacing that with your low SAT 1 score…ie. if it goes well on the ACT.
Unfortunately, the URM thing is not something to cling on here for the IVY’s with that scores. You will be surprised of how many other Hispanics with more stellar scores are applying.
So, do your best to improve your scores and apply. Then sit back and wait for the outcome, but definitely do not bank on it.
Apply to other schools that you will be happy at as well, including safeties.
Best of luck to you.</p>

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<p>–</p>

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<p>@coco2018 I never even considered banking on Ivies, (that would be crazy lol) but you’re right. Thanks! </p>

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<p>Good.
But as you know… miracles do happen. I have seen applicants with 1800 admitted to IVY’s and also applicants with 2400 rejected, so you never know.
You have nothing to loose but the application fees, but everything to gain, even the experience of applying.</p>

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<p>OP, if you want to see how a fellow Hispanic applicant did (I am in no way comparing us by saying this, btw), check out my thread about my college application process! I do truly think that being Hispanic - or any other URM, for that matter - does help to a point, but not nearly as much as is thought. With that being said, I would say you chances are:
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia: High Reach
Brown, Dartmouth, UPenn: Reach
Cornell: Low Reach</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Cornell has a thing for minorities especially in engineering. Very high acceptance rate.</p>

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<p>@kitts95‌ I took a look at how you did and was just as surprised as you were about some of the outcomes. Did serve as a reality check though. It was incredibly detailed and helpful so I sincerely thank you! And thanks for the reach breakdown too :slight_smile: </p>

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<p>Your SAT is on the low side.
However, I wouldn’t encourage you to give up. All you can really do at this point is study hard for the ACTs, study for your subject tests, keep your grades up, and write some great essays. You should be aware at this point that you have a lot of fierce competition. But it all depends on what they see in your application in a given moment, so it really is random when you have so many exceptional applicants. They may be forgiving, but then again, that term (forgiving) isn’t the best word to use. For the Ivies, there really is no “perfect” student you are being compared to; they are not making sure that your application aligns with some other student’s. Having perfect scores and grades will not guarantee one admission. So, YES. Of course you should try. It’s better than not even submitting an application; it is so stupid when people who have dreamed of the Ivies for so long back out due to fear & low self esteem. You will NEVER have a chance unless you apply. Tell these colleges your story. More than anything, they look for some determined kids who made the most out of the opportunities handed to them. That being said, they also look for what they need. It really is true that if Yale needs an underwater tuba player one year you have a higher chance that given year to get in if you happen to be an underwater tuba player (hackneyed example, but you get what I’m saying?). </p>

<p>For some inspiration: Last year, one of my coworkers got a full-ride to Princeton with your exact SAT score. Then again, I did not know her entire story. It’s just possible with a score below a 2000. </p>

<p>Now just look for more schools you like for back ups & safeties because after all, the Ivies are reaches for everyone unless you’re like a Rockefeller or a Windsor. So if your don’t get in, you are in no way incompetent or whatever; just remember not to let rejection consume you. I think you’re someone who has worked incredibly hard. You do have a story to tell through your essays; so make them raw and tell it like it is. Just do that. Good luck! :)</p>

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<p>@PolyglotGal‌ I can’t thank you enough for your response that you obviously put time and a generous amount of thought into. The dumbest thing I’ve done thus far is not study for any of my SAT’s, so I’ll definitely take your suggestion for the ACT and subject tests. And thank you so much for your encouragement, because until I read your comment, I didn’t think my story would make much of a difference, but you’re right. I’ve worked incredibly hard, and I want whoever reads my essay to know that. And you’re right when you say that Ivies are reaches for everyone, so I’ll keep that in mind but still hope for the best. Thank you so much!! :slight_smile: </p>