I don't know where I stand--what are my chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi! I’m a high school junior and I live in California. I have decided to post on this forum because I really do not know where I stand in terms of other applicants and students, and I wanted some input on my potential as an applicant from an objective point of view from whoever would be willing. Here’s some information about me:

Freshman schedule:
English (Honors)
Biology
Theater Arts
American Sign Language 1
Physical Education
Geometry

Sophomore schedule:
English (Honors)
Chemistry
American Sign Language 2
World History
Leadership
Algebra II

Junior schedule:
A.P. Language & Composition
A.P. Chemistry
American Sign Language 3
A.P. U.S. History
Spanish 2
Pre-Calculus

Senior schedule (as planned):
A.P. Literature
A.P. Psychology
Spanish 3
A.P. Government & Economics
Health
A.P. Statistics

So far (through first semester Junior year) I have received all A’s and one B in A.P. Chemistry. I am currently working my hardest to try and pull of an A in A.P. Chemistry; however, chemistry and most math/science related subjects generally do not click with me.

I have not taken the SAT or the ACT yet, I’m registered to take the tests in April and May. I will also be taking the SAT II Subject Tests for U.S. History and Literature, and I have a good chance of doing well on those as the two are my strongest academic fields. I’m mostly worried about the math portions on both. Although I have maintained an A in all the math classes I have taken, I am pretty bad at it.

In terms of extracurricular activities, I am Public Relations Officer of my high school’s Rotary Interact club (community service through the local Rotary Club) and will be running for Vice President for next year. Through the club, I also coordinate monthly volunteering opportunities with a local park exclusively for handicapped kids in which the students from our club clean the park and help with the landscaping. I founded the Photography Club at my school Sophomore year and served as President. Next year, I am planning on founding the Humanitarian Club for which I will be President. I am Secretary of the school’s creative writing club. I have about 150 hours of community service. I have also been employed at the local Jamba Juice and have been since July 2014.

My greatest strength is writing. I expect my essay to be the strongest element of my application.

My dream school is UC Berkeley. Knowing that this school is extremely reputable and has been ranked as the number one public university in the U.S., I understand that my chances of getting in aren’t too great. The other schools I’ve looked more closely at are UC Santa Barbara, University of Washington, and University of Virginia. I’m looking at a major in English or Political Science (undecided), minor in History, and then later going to law school. I am also open to suggestions for other that are ranked highly for my major and I am willing to go out-of-state.

So, what are my chances?

2

I think UC Berkley’s a low reach for you. Do everything in your power to do well on the SAT (but, remember, don’t freak out thee first time you take it-- you will have another shot). I don’t know very much about Washington or UC Santa Barbara, but UVA is probably also a low reach. The two main reasons I am saying “reach” instead of “match” is because it seems like you waited until Junior year to really start taking advanced classes, and you don’t have any test scores yet. All of these seem like real possibilities, though-- odds are that you’ll get into at least one of the schools you listed.

Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1756681-what-are-my-chances.html#latest

3

Nothing you’ve delineated indicates you will not be successful in gaining admission to your target schools; however, until you have definitive standardized test results, no one can accurately assess your probability of acceptance. Attain great scores and your chances will be good (perhaps, very good); however, poor results will reduce your admissions probabilities substantially.

4

Update: UW GPA is a 3.9/W is a 4.19. I’m going to be a senior. I got a 2070 on my first time taking the SAT; 620 critical reading, 690 math, and 760 writing. I will be retaking it in the fall.

I have added on some E.C.'s: I am now VP of my school’s Rotary Interact club and have brought numerous volunteer opportunities to the club. In addition, I am founding a Young Democrats for a Better Society club this fall, with its officers already determined and an advisor confirmed. Our objective is to increase progressive political activity among our school’s students.

Chance me (with updated info) for UC Berkeley, USC, UMich, Boston College, NYU? Given the current information, are these schools generally in my range? Am I dreaming too big?