<p>I attend a very competitive private high school, regarded as one of the best in the nation with one of the toughest curriculum. I don't want to give away too much information about it or people will know what it is, but it's not one of those prissy, WASPy schools and doesn't offer AP classes - every course is assumed to be on AP level.</p>
<p>Back to my point, though. My grades are somewhat good - a few A+'s, mostly A's, about two B's a semester. My GPA now (my school doesn't weight) is 3.8. At the same time, though, I've got very good extracurriculars (a few really stand out, nothing generic) and judging from my sophomore year PSATs (234), I'm almost certain that I'm going to be a National Merit Finalist. I test very well - my SATS will probably be in the 2300 range.</p>
<p>I'm a white Catholic from Westchester, though. What are my chances at a top school, i.e. Duke, Princeton, whatever.</p>
<p>If it’s really as good a school as you say it is (like top 25) and everything you say is true, then you’ve got a great chance at Duke. Princeton is tougher because lots of kids who apply come from top schools and have the same or better credentials as you… this is very cliche on CC but you need to have a focus or a hook, and I’m not seeing one besides “very good student from very good school” which unfortunately isn’t enough.</p>
<p>I just checked the schools that send the most applicants to HYP list - my school’s in the top 25. And I don’t want to give away my EC’s because people would know who I am…I’ll just say that I play a varsity sport (and not a BS one like bowling), won a major national debate competition, and have some pretty sick volunteering stuff, not just like “tutored this kid Jeff for his Algebra test in freshman year.”</p>
<p>But what I’m trying to say here is that I go to a top school, but my grades aren’t what you usually see at the top colleges, though I test quite well and my extracurriculars are excellent. At the same time, I’m an Italian kid from Westchester. I just have no clue where I stand right now.</p>
<p>Could you give an idea of what your extra currics are? you dont have to give all the details, just like, instrument - 3 years, or tutored elementary school kids, that would give ppl more of an idea. Unfortunately, really smart kids get rejected all the time from top schools. even a 2400 cant guarantee you entrance to harvard or mit. and yeah, i agree you need a “hook”. and a killer essay.</p>