"I Want To Go To An Ivy League"

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I've been reading far too many "what are my chances" posts on here, and for some reason, I always get kind of annoyed by them - we all know that an Ivy League's school's hard to get into; by putting their whole resume out there, these folks just want to get reassurance of some sort, and just that idea of makes me just want to laugh.</p>

<p>But then I look at my own grades, and my own chances, and I feel exactly the same way these folks are: seeking reassurance. Which is why, although I usually hate these kinds of posts because the advice is always repetitive, I'm still gonna' put this out there.</p>

<p>For the longest time I've wanted to go to Harvard - mainly because, I literally live right next door, and I've always had the best memories of my father and I going there for picnics and such when I was in preschool, so of course, this school really hits close to home, and not just because it's prestigious or anything like that. I've met many wonderful people there over the past few years who have been very surprisingly kind to me, and because of that, it would make me just so happy to be able to join the mass of people who are accepted and say, "Hey, I got into Harvard!" (and cheer and cry and try oh-so-hard NOT to be a stuck up :D).</p>

<p>I've always tried hard in school; I've been a finalist at National History Day, and I've won two statewide Golden Key Awards for the Scholastic Arts and Writing contests, among quite a few other statewide accolades for music.
But of course, as with many other freshmen in this country, my grades dropped significantly during freshmen year. By taking all honors courses, my previous A average from middle school has dropped to a B+/A- average. Almost by the end of the first quarter, even though I was still on the High Honors roll at my school, I was most definitely not in the top 10% of my grade - top 15%, more likely, especially as my school gives only unweighted grades, and therefore me being in all honors had no difference than if I had taken all College Prep courses. I grew extremely frustrated with myself, having studied so hard yet still getting grades that just weren't as high like they were before.
Leading up to, my point - I'd like confirmation myself, and see for myself if this is possible.</p>

<p>So here's my challenge to you.
Does anyone know a success story in which someone who had a GPA like my own gone on to go to an Ivy League school? Do you believe I have even a smidgen of a chance at getting into, well, frankly, any Ivy League now?
I'm currently aiming for a National AP Scholar certificate, a couple more statewide/national contests, a presidential award for community service, and doing some research at Harvard's facility over the summer, just to give you a better picture of what I'll probably be doing over the next four years.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading this much; wow that was long. :D
Drop an opinion please - I don't really care if it's in my favor or not, just please be honest. I like honesty over "phoniness" (as Holden Caulfield would put it; guess who just finished reading Catcher in the Rye.), so say whatever - just make sure my brain cells don't die when I read it; I find that happens a lot when reading comments online. :)</p>

<p>Have a fantabulous day! :D</p>

2

<p>Anybody? Please?
I know it’s my first post; but still - please?</p>

3

<p>I can say that a good friend of mine had a couple B’s in school and is off to Harvard next year, though in the face of intense competition, having the best grades you can manage is always a good way to go. About the unweighted grades piece, my school is the same way. Colleges look for challenging course loads when evaluating applicants, and your grades are looked at in the context of your school and your classes. If you continue to push yourself in areas that you’re genuinely passionate about, I think you have as good a chance as anyone, though it would help to get your grades up in the next few years. Actually, I know a couple extremely elite universities weight freshman year grades much less heavily, because it’s seen as a transition year. You’ve got a ton more time before you have to start focusing on colleges, and a ton more time to show your strengths. Enjoy high school, and you’ll go off to do some great things when it’s time. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Work hard during your next couple of years and you’ll get in!
You are only a freshman. Don’t worry about it.
Chance me back please!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1660300-cornell-uc-berk-cmu-umich-georgia-tech.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1660300-cornell-uc-berk-cmu-umich-georgia-tech.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>One of my colleagues went to the worst school in the state. Legitimately the worst school, 5% of the graduates went onto college. He received the highest ACT score in his school, a 28, and worked very hard for his grades (even if he occasionally got a B). He managed to get into Yale on an extremely good scholarship. Just keep working hard on your grades, try to get high ACT/ SAT scores. Above all, though, Ivy Leagues love outgoing students. Another of my friends scored a 29 on the ACT and had pretty average grades, but he got into Brown University on a full scholarship because of all the community service hours and programs he was involved in.</p>

<p>So far I think you are on a great path! Just keep it up. </p>

6

<p>Thank you so much for your responses! It makes me feel so motivated and have so much hope to keep pushing on! :D</p>

7

<p>what are your standardized test scores?</p>

8

<p>OP, you have 3 more years to pull those grades up. Relax. I’m actually more concerned that all those wards and honors you are aiming for do make you seem insecure. Obviously, I can only comment on what you’ve posted. I would simply encourage you to pursue your interests first and recognition second (if at all).</p>

9

<p>“I think the Ivies are a low reach/high match for you”</p>

<p>Said no one ever. Like, seriously. No matter how good your stats are, no matter what ECs you do (bar curing cancer), the answers will always be the same.</p>

<p>You’d think these “applicants” with 2300 SAT scores would have that kind of common sense.</p>

<p>That’s also why I’m never making a chance thread for myself.</p>

10

<p>I’ll be the first year to take the new SAT test, so I won’t exactly be able to answer that question.
On a few practice tests given out at my school however, I have received varying scores - from about a 1800 to a 2100 (rough estimates, as my school refuses to give definite scoring).</p>

11

<p>I love that statement. Exactly why I was hesitant to post in the first place, but did it anyway (just to see what’d happen!). :)</p>

12

<p>My little brother in my fraternity had a 3.4 in high school and is now doing extremely well here at Penn.</p>