Hello, everyone!
I am a junior in high school with a 3.5 unweighted GPA and last time I checked it was like a 4.15 weighted GPA. I’m really anxious because I feel like my chances at really competitive colleges are not as high. I have taken the January 23rd SAT and didn’t score too well and I have not received my scores from the March 5th, 2016 test. Anyways, I’m very stressed out with the whole college admissions process because I am the first person in my family to graduate from American High School and go to college from high school. My parents are immigrants and have degrees but they do not have the experience of attending high school here in the US and applying to college at this level. I want to know what I can do before my senior year to help improve my standing. (I’m aware that there is not much I can do but I still want opinions and advice)
Here are the Extra circulars I have:
- I participated in my school’s Competitive acting and Speech Club and was a semifinalist in 10th grade
- I am a school ambassador
- I am the Secretary of the Medicine Without Borders Club in my school
- I have won an award at a regional writing competition
- I have an internship at a Congressional Office
I do not have that many due to the time commitments that I have at home.
What is it that you mean by “good” college?
Seconding the other question: how do you define “good”?
We can help you but need more data. I can tell you that if your definition of “good” is only top 20 ranked schools, you are likely going to struggle with that UW GPA. But if your definition of “good” is broader than hyper elites, you’ll be fine. A 3.5 UW and a 4.1W is solid. We need to know other parameters to give you guidance on application strategy.
What was your SAT score on the January test? What is your course rigor and have you had an upward trend? What do you want to major in?
And cost: what can your parents afford? Are you looking for merit awards? Will you qualify for financial aid?
And what schools are on your list? What’s your home state? Are you a URM? (or ORM?)
Post more info and we can help!
I’m sorry! I live in Maryland! and I am a black female student (URM)
By good, I mean popular colleges but not too popular
For example, like University of Maryland Baltimore County, Ohio State University, Auburn University, UNC-CH, University of Minnesota, USC, University of Pittsburg, University of Wisconsin-madison, etc.
(I wanna be a pharmacist)
In 9th grade:
Hons Geometry 9 (got a C both semesters 
)
Hons English 9 (A both semesters)
AP United States History (got a 4 on the exam- A both semesters)
French 3 (B both semesters)
Theatre 1A/1B (A both semesters)
Hons Biology 9 ( B both semesters)
in 10th grade:
Hons English 10 (A both semester)
Hons Algebra 2 ( C first semester- B second semester)
Hons Chemistry (B both semesters)
AP NSL ( A both semesters- 3 on AP Exam)
Debate Class/ PE ( A)
Hons French 4 ( B first semester- A second semester)
Tech Class (A first semester and B second Semester)
in 11th grade:
AP Psychology ( A 1st semester)
AP LANG ( A 1st semester)
AP World History ( A first Semester)
Precalculus ( A first Semester)
Engineering (A first Semester)
Hons Anatomy ( B first semester)
Adv Research ( A first semester)
(still 1 more semester to go)
and yeah, I’m looking towards merit awards and what not. I just don’t want to use cost as like a factor when I’m applying tho, but when I’m deciding.
Have you also thought about smaller colleges or are you looking specifically at universities?
What are your time commitments at home–are you helping specifically with someone, caretake someone, etc? Keep the grades up, keep up your EC’s, and some community service. Your being an URM (plus immigrant parents) is going to help you a lot.
Just wanted to add that you really DO need to consider the colleges’ costs when deciding where to apply. Run the NPCs on each of the websites. If they don’t work for your family, there is no reason to apply because you won’t be able to attend even if you are admitted.
As you put together your list, be very attentive to whether or not financial/merit aid is available to out of state students. Many state schools are very stingy for OOS, and if not, they tend to privilege tippy top students.
You may do better financially with private schools. You should also check out the Colleges that Change Lives website - ctcl.org or the book of the same name. It offers great suggestions of lesser known but high quality liberal arts students that value the B/B+ student who wants to learn.
Regarding tests, you might try the ACT - some students do better and nearly every college/university accepts both ACT/SAT. Also there are many test optional schools - fairtest.org