Basically,
I kinda fricked myself.
Freshmen year was all great, nice 3.99 uw gpa. Then sophomore and junior year came along and I got 9 Bs and and 15 As. I am a little pessimistic about my chances of getting into my dream schools (Princeton and Stanford). I’ve got a great common app essay idea but my grades kinda suck and I didn’t do anything amazing (like cure cancer). Also, idk what my teachers think of me but its probably nothing special. Does anyone know if I could stand a chance of getting into a top school? I am currently a junior in his 2nd trimester.
My stats:
uw GPA(atm before I cripple it more this trimester): 3.78
weighted GPA: 4.11
ACT:33 (hoping for higher in April)
AP Human:5
AP World History:5
AP Calc AB:5
AP Biology:4
Subject tests:N/A atm but I plan on taking Math 2 and biology (hopefully I don’t choke)
Extracurriculars:
I really like soccer and piano and I probably spend too much time on them (which is probably why my grades suck). I haven’t achieved any amazing things in them but I consider myself semi-skilled in them. They’re basically hobby’s that I spend too much time in. I’m also in other basic activities (NHS, Science olympiad)
I think that you should focus on pulling up your grades as much as you can during your current semester. Do some preparation before retaking ACT. Once you have this semester’s grades, then you can see what schools seem to make sense for you.
Here in New England we have a guy named Bill Belichick who is popular right now around here. He has frequently said “do your job” and “just focus on the next game”. He has done pretty well with this approach. Right now the “next game” is pulling up your GPA and staying ahead in your classes for this current semester.
I think that you still have a shot at very good schools. Princeton and Stanford might not be the ones for undergrad.
Your stats are high enough not to get you kicked out in the first round. However, stats alone won’t get you in to T20s because most of the applicants will have stats at least as good as yours. Your ECs are somewhat lackluster for Princeton and Stanford, yet not much can be done about it, because, as you mentioned, when you do spend too much time on soccer and piano, your grades suffer. Your time might be better spent looking for match schools, with an eye towards Princeton and Stanford for grad school.
Ur ECs sounds average. Sorry, but that’s the truth for ultra-competitive schools.
Ur ACT is a little bit below average but def won’t drag.
I think if u get ur gpa up, u can be a great applicant for T30, maybe just not HYPSM level.
Good luck tho!
Your problem is this: “dream schools”
Stop using that phrase and you will find your chances of getting into a great college for you will improve dramatically. And stop being so pessimistic, because that won’t help.
@iwantcollegeplz , please remember that responding to posts on CC is not the same as texting. It doesn’t require much effort to spell you or your. Petty, but there are standards.
@Lindagaf
Hey, thanks for pointing that out. I will fix it if you find that to be inappropriate.