Hello all, I’m a mixed-ethnicity junior living in SW Florida. Over the past two years I’ve been dealing with severe depression, eating disorders, ADHD, and PTSD (my sophomore year it was undiagnosed, my junior year I was hospitalized for a large period of time and have had to miss school for appointments and health emergencies). My grades leading up to these years were always very high As in very difficult classes, but with these health problems some of these A+s lapsed into As, and some into B+s.
My test scores have remained very good, with a 31 ACT (I’m retaking it with the proper accomadations in June), an 800 World History Subject score, a 5 on AP World, and predicted 5s on AP Lang and APush. I have played varsity volleyball for three years and served as a state officer for the Florida JCL, as well as recieving multiple awards for testing in the FJCL and National JCL (basically national latin club). I was chosen to study abroad at my sister school last year, and have worked to start other latin organizations in different countries.
As for my GPA… it’s currently pretty awful. Since I missed majority of first semester due to my hospitalization I have a multitude of incompletes in my report card, which has brought my gpa down to a 3.64 weighted. I know that’s bad, but I must stress that my real gpa won’t be known to me until late May. That be said, it’ll likely measure between a weighted 3.95 and 4.1
Now, for the schools. My dream is Yale, as my dad and his whole family has gone there (pretty much back through the 1820s). I’ve visited many times, and intend to apply SCEA as a Classics/History major with a minor in Near Eastern Languages.
I’m also super interested in UPenn, Dartmouth, Princeton, NYU, Georgetown, Cal, Duke (I’m a legacy as well as an employee’s child there), and Vandy.
I know personally I have the drive and the ability to succeed at these schools, but I’m worried that such circumstances that impacted my grades will difficult to explain to college admissions officers without sounding like an excuse. Can you give me the reasonable chances I have at such schools?
Thank you and if there’s any other info you need just lmk!
You sound like an amazing candidate but more importantly like any amazingly strong and resilient person. If you can convey that strength through your essays I would anticipate it resonating with addmissions officers.
In terms of directly responding to your question every school you are asking about is a reach for any and everybody. The simple reality is they have more highly qualified candidates then spots to offer. Your medical background won’t disqualify you I suspect but you still will need to hit the standard and then seperate yourself from the pack.
ACT score is currently low and your GPA will matter. I would shoot for all of the schools you mention but as the cliche goes love your safes.
Thank you so much for the character reflection!! I’m really hoping I can drive that through with my essays. And yes, I know those are reaches for anyone, I’m just hoping I won’t be one of those students who reaches and has.000001% chance
I probably can’t give the best estimates for your chances (besides that you should improve your GPA and ACT), but you are definitely an inspiring candidate.
I would spend more time finding safety and matches that you would be delighted to attend. Apply to some of those, but find others that match your GPA/SAT.
Also make sure your mental health is under control…things will be harder in college.
Agree with bopper. Yale isn’t very realistic with your stats, even as a hooked legacy. You need to spend more time finding matches and safeties that work with your stats. Pick maybe 3 of the schools you listed as reaches to apply to, then find a few matches and safeties you’d be happy to attend. Don’t skimp on that part of your search, since your odds are pretty high that you will end up at one of those. The good news is that there are a lot of great schools out there besides just a list based on perceived prestige.
my gpa will hopefully be computed properly soon and should be between 3.97-4.2 or so, and I definitely plan on taking the act again!! hopefully i’ll be able to finish the math with extended time now
