<p>Hi! :D I'm new to this site, although I've been lurking around in the forum boards, and since the majority of the time the site is helpful by giving me a good outlook on the chances and possibilities of getting these magnificent universities, I thought that I might go ahead and see if I can finally get proper help from this astute body of alumni. :)</p>
<p>My name is Lucy and it's nice to meet you all! My family immigrated to the United States when I was 8, so I'm not even 1st generation here. You can all probably guess that I'm kinda clueless still regarding how the systems of education work here. I live currently in Texas and well, quite frankly I don't know whether to be happy about it or worried. The area where I live is quite conservative, so there is no room for what they regard a "free thinker," or what they LOVE to call nowdays, "socialist." But that's beside the point. I would like for you kind people to perhaps tell me what my chances are, not only regarding my academics, extracurricular activities, and distinctive achievements, but also my character as is. Surely, that's what truly matters in the application process as well? No university, as far as I know, wants a slacker. </p>
<p>Truth be told, I don't want to apply to UT at Austin. I feel like I could do better than that. So now I'm getting to the point. The reason as to why I posted for the first time in the Princeton section of the forums is due to the fact that I have been truly interested in this wonderful beacon of a university for years. I'm a Senior right now in The Woodlands High School, which is located in a wonderful community north of Houston known as well... The Woodlands LOL. Anyway, as I stated before... I'm not even first generation here in America. I strive to be my best, and I just truly want to go into that university to go into their Pre-Med Program and get my Music Major there as well. Well, might as well post what I have in my stats. </p>
<p>I have an unweighted GPA of 3.2/4. It makes me look like I'm not much academically, but you know what? Truly, they could think whatever they want out of me, but the truth is, I don't really mind. I just want to put myself out there to show them that I'm more than capable to contribute to their learning environment. </p>
<p>Here are some classes I'm just currently taking:
AP Calc AB: B
Music Theory: A+
Chamber Orchestra: A+
Government Honors: B
Humanities: B+</p>
<p>And my err "wonderful" SAT score: 1580
I have not taken my ACT yet, and I'm going to be retaking the SAT again.</p>
<p>I'll be switching to AP Calc. BC next Spring most likely and take Pre-AP Physics, AP Music Theory, English IV Honors, and Economics Honors. I have lots of credits in Foreign Language, but I'll be getting more when I take more Credit By Exam tests to get the last two Spanish credits (I completed Spanish 1, 2, and 3 two years ago. Yes, I am very fluent in speaking and writing in Spanish). I also took two years of Latin and 3 years of Chinese classes, but the Chinese had to be outside of school since the school didn't provide. I used to be horrible at math, but I worked my way up. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I screwed up my Sophomore year because of personal issues with my family and soul mate, but I rapidly recovered. I took AP World History and Pre-AP Geometry back then and I barely passed the first, and failed the second. Thus, I had to switch out mid-semester, and that is where I recovered. A few decimal points were decreased from my GPA though. I got all A's my Junior year, so I was happy with that. </p>
<p>As far as Extracurricular Activities come and go, I have a 'job' teaching kids Spanish outside of school and tutoring them with math and get pretty good pay ($20/hour or so). I am a member of Mu Alpha Theta, and I stay after school to tutor students from time to time. I have to attend to my siblings so I can't actually stay after school for too long. My dad is unemployed, and my mom has a poor paying job, so we have a low-income. </p>
<p>I am in the Chamber Orchestra of my school, and I made the Region Philharmonic Orchestra this year and yester-year, the Texas All-State Orchestra this year, and since my Freshman year, I've participated in Texas State Solo and Emsemble contests and got above average scores (you have to memorize a ridiculously hard piece and play it infront of a judge if you get into the State-wide part of the contest). Some months ago though (end of my Junior year), I hired my Pianist last minute and didn't rehearse with her. AT ALL. She pretty much ruined it for me and I got a 2 (1 being the highest score, meaning flaw-less), so I was sooo close...!</p>
<p>I'm not a Valedictorian, nor a President of a club, neither a Treasurer, nor a student of "high status" in Student Council, etc. But I've grown so much and my essay is just magnificent. However, I don't know whether to send or not. And finally, the question is:</p>
<p>Do I stand a chance to get in? Be it a realistic approach, or a hopeful approach, I just want to see all of your opinions. And thank you in advance, even if it is not the brightest of news to my eyes as I read. </p>
<p>Again, thank you. :) -kisses!-</p>
but i don’t want to crush your dream of going to princeton. study study study for the sat and see how you do. apply and write the best damn essays you’ve ever written, and who knows? good luck! :)</p>
And thank you for your comments. But what could you guys suggest I do to seem more appealing to the Ivy League in terms of extracurricular activities? And thank you whitecadillac. :)</p>