<p>I'm doubtful of my chances of getting into an Ivy League school, but I do hope to get into a school right under their level, like Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice, Carnegie Mellon, Emory, etc. </p>
<p>Here is some info about me to help you out:
1. SAT score-2170 (plan on retaking it and aiming for 2250+)
2. Class rank- in top 2% out of about 800 students
3. Extracurriculars- in several clubs, volunteer in community and in library (here is where I'm most worried, since I have no leadership positions)
4. SAT II- 710 on Spanish, and plan on taking Math II and Bio/Chem
5. AP scores- 4's on both World History and Spanish as sophomore; taking about 11 more over junior and senior years.
6. PSAT National Merit Finalist</p>
<p>My strengths are obviously in my academics, but since a lot of smart students apply to the schools I mentioned, do I even have a decent chance?</p>
<p>I think Emory is significantly easier to get into than any of the other schools on that list, you should get in there no problem. Duke is a real crapshoot, you’ll have a decent shot at Vandy, Rice, and CMU.</p>
<p>I agree, just bump up the community service and you should be good. Get high 700s or 800 on those subject tests. I’m kind of in the same boat as you, especially with the colleges we’re applying to. I say apply to an Ivy or two, I think you’d have a chance.</p>
<p>^ The OP knows what s/he got on the PSAT by now. The OP likely knows what scores were good for NMSF in his/her state in recent years, and likely knows that almost every NMSF becomes an NMF. So it’s not crazy for him/her to identify him/herself as NMF.</p>
<p>^Yeah true, almost all NMSF become finalists anyway (But still, he’ll only be able to write NFSF when he sends in the application in December). I commented on it because at a quick glance I somehow thought he’s a senior because of NMF, which got me kind of confused, until I quickly realized he’s actually a junior :)</p>
…? Emory’s right with the pack here. Maybe if you’re talking about Oxford College of Emory…Duke is the most selective of the bunch; it is Ivy-selective. The others aren’t far behind though. Regardless, you definitely stand a chance.</p>
<p>You seem to be right on track, but be wary of Duke, which–at least in experience with students from my school–is fond of kids with distinctive ECs. They, like the Ivies, have a superabundance of academically qualified applicants, so they start looking for a well-rounded student body (rather than individually well-rounded students). Having an identity as the “debator” or the “writer” may be more helpful than a smattering of clubs.</p>
<p>If you’re seriously interested in any of these schools, show lots of interest. Go visit. That’s an especially important factor to get into Emory.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who answered, and yes, I am a junior but like Millancad guessed, I already know my score is high enough to be a NMSF and I’ve also heard most of them become Finalists</p>
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