high school jr ... chances??

<p>I have been in love with Wake Forest from the moment that I heard about it. Since then, I have been researching it extensively, only to have my love for it grow even more. I plan to apply ED. I would do just about ANYTHING to be able to this school. Unfortunatly, my chances of getting into it are slim to none, but I thought I would let you all see my stats just for the input. All of these stats include my plans for senior year, since I am only a junior. </p>

<p>white female, pa </p>

<p>3 APs, 6 Honors
AP Euro
AP Comp Gov< senior year
AP Macroeconomics< senior year
Cum. GPA: 3.3 weighted (ahhhh!My 10th grade scores killed me. Also, for some reason my school includes some 8th grade scores on the transcript, also what is killing me.)
My school doesnt rank. </p>

<p>I have not taken the SATs yet but I seem to do well on standardized tests, so hopefully those scores will be good.</p>

<p>Due to financial reasons, I have had to work 2 jobs since I was 15 years old, 35+ hours a week, and because of that I have had almost no free time to spend on ECs :(
So:
Founder and President of Republican Club, 2 years
Student Council, 3 years
PEN student for 10 years (district's gifted program)
Football Manager, 1 year
Volunteer at Nursing Home
Guest columnist in school paper </p>

<p>Others:
All 'Distinguished' on Graduation project
Honor Roll</p>

<p>Recommendations will be very good, I plan on getting an interview and visiting the campus </p>

<p>Honestly, I know that I don't have a very good chance at getting into Wake Forest. BUT I want to go so badly! If you have any kind of advice/things I could do to increase my chances, I would really love to hear it!!!</p>

<p>Don't worry! I was in a similar situation to you last year. I go to a regular public NJ High School, but my class rank stunk (21 percentile) and our Avg. SAT's are only a 1020. My Sophomore year was HORRIBLE and I wound up with an 89 UW Average. However, Junior Year I visited Wake and LOVED it! (I went back this summer for an interview). I did awesome junior year, but was only offered one AP course, and have continued doing well to senior year. I got in ED with a 1320 SAT, 660 Writing, great EC's (but not like finding the cure for diseases or a nationally ranked athlete), and stellar recs. I think what got me in was my essays (in all modesty they were amazing), my recs (one from a Wake Alum) and the interest I showed (visting twice and an interview). So get an interview and get your grades up. Junior Year grades are the most important. Wake won't even look at 8th grade grades so don't worry about that. Freshman grades really don't matter either. Good luck!</p>

<p>I agree with Wilmington on the essays. You need to show this passion for Wake in your application, really bring it out in the Why Wake? section and in our essays. They really care about the essays-make them amazing. Its no wonder they ask for so many. </p>

<p>Also don't be so negative. You look to be a good student and its probably disheartening to yourself to say that you have no chance at all. Take your SAT's, do well on them. If you can get 2000+ great. Get an interview and and show them this passion you have. And try to be a little more positive. You are still a junior and can still have an effect on college essays, tests, grades and recs. So try and look on the bright side. Good luck!</p>

<p>yeah i guess i was a little disheartened after looking at other peoples posts where they listed a 3.7, 3.9, etc.... but i will try my best this year and see how it goes. </p>

<p>also, does work experience count for anything?</p>

<p>Yes! I have had a job at 15 hours per week year round for 4 years and I think it counts a good deal--it shows dedication and responsibility. It is my personal opinion that GPA isn't as significant as its made out to be. The classes you take are much more important (ie: lots of AP's and honors). I think your on the right track, if you show interest by interview/visit, write great essays, have great recs, and get at least a high 12-low 1300 SAT, you should be in good shape.</p>

<p>I'm not so sure about work experience- I haven't ever held a job or anything, just a few summer internships. </p>

<p>I think if you are "lacking" in a few areas: GPA or SAT, definitely try to emphasize your work experience. I think that could help you. </p>

<p>And I agree also with the comment above. I think its far better to take challenging courses and perhaps get lower grades than usual than taking the easiest not challenging classes possible and getting A's.</p>

<p>they told me they dont do interviews....</p>

<p>I think they do, alumni ones perhaps. I don't really know: I never looked into one myself.</p>

<p>I had an interview last August, I would just call the admissions department and ask. I had mine at Wake Forest with a dean of admissions, but I suppose you could have one by an alumni (I know many schools do that).</p>

<p>i live in NY, idk how many alum live in my area lol</p>

<p>There are probably more in NY than in Germany.</p>

<p>Doogie:
You've already sent in your app and everything, so I don't think an interview would change that much, especially if it wasn't directly with Wake. If you really want to go to Wake, write them a letter telling them that they are your number 1 choice etc. IMO that will make much more of a difference than an interview with an alumni.</p>

<p>i havent yet</p>