help

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m currently a junior and I feel I’m doomed to never be able to get into a top tier college (ex. Ivy League, top UCs) with my current scores, grades, and extracurriculars.

I recently took the October SAT and I only scored a 2090 (which I thin is pretty low considering that I am applying as an “asian”). I took 5 classes (2 semester each) and got 2 Bs. I was able to get all As my sophomore year but I took very easy classes(3 Honors(5.0) and 2 normal(4.0) classes). This year I am only taking 3 APs as a junior and I don’t feel I am very competitive with these easy schedules.

For extracurriculars, I was on DACA swim team freshman year for 1 year. I volunteer during summer at a summer camp (past 2 years )and got a Presidential Service Award for my volunteer work. am currently the president of my school’s Engineering Club, officer in a cultural volunteer club, and active member in my school’s Programming Club, Robotics Club, and CSF (kind of like NHS for California schools).

I have been working hard the past few years to do this but I just don’t feel I have that much that stands out among all those who apply to top colleges. Can I hear some of your opinions and suggestions on what I can do to increase my chances?

2

Well, at least you’re being realistic about that SAT score. At the Ivies, you’d need to be a hooked applicant (URM/legacy/special talent or, best of all, a recruited athlete) for that score to be remotely competitive.

However, you have a year to bring that score up. Don’t despair yet - order the CB’s blue book, prep with that, and give the ACT a try to see if it suits you better.

We’d need to know your UW GPA and total AP courseload to chance you accurately, and both will be in flux until the end of this year. Focus on the extracurriculars you’re really interested in, keep your grades up, and come back with your grades and any new test scores next summer.