International Student - need advice

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am a dual citizen British/American and have moved between the two countries 6 times. I completed most of my education in Britain but moved to the US for highschool. Although I was on an Oxford/Cambridge track in england, my family decided to move out here for American opportunity. </p>

<p>Up until the middle of my sophomore year I did not even know the difference between APs, GPAs, ED/EA etc...I had alot of catching up to do, but I basically lost out on a year and a half of time. </p>

<p>Enough with the life story. Now I'm a Junior and I have really done alot to turn things around. In my sophomore year I pushed and got my 3.0 GPA (in england the only assesment is basically 1 final exam where an 80% =an A or a 4 ). This year I started strong and have a 4.0 unweighted and am taking 3 APs (debating to take another one this year). Next year I plan to keep the trend with 4 or 5 more APs. I am projected from practise tests to get 5s. </p>

<p>I do well on PSATs and am aiming for 750s on the SAT. I am projected to get 30-34 on the ACT. </p>

<p>While transitioning I really haven't had that much time for EC and community service. I have done some service and EC that would be great for Britain...but doesn't touch the people here with 600 hours working to cure cancer. </p>

<p>Please note this post isnt one of those detailed resume-style postings that are commonly posted in this section, just an outline. </p>

<p>I found this forum and really got overwhelmed with information. From people getting denied with perfect scores to luck acceptances....I'm really lost. </p>

<p>I'm interested in the following colleges:</p>

<p>-JHU, Georgetown, W+M (Reach)
-Gettysburg, F+M, Wakeforest (Match - have been suggested to me)
-.....not sure on safeties</p>

<p>....Im leaving out Ivys - I dont think I have that much of a chance, do you? I was searching through the forums and got the impression JHU was harder than Harvard?? I didn't think so....but quite a few people passionately defended that idea. </p>

<p>What colleges should I be looking at as reach/match/safety?</p>

<p>I know people who got into Gettysburg, and my academic scores and ambitions are alot different than theirs. I dont mean to be negative, but I am looking at places that are more serious e.x. JHU</p>

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<p>CJMorris.... That's the name of my elementary school ^^</p>

<p>Well, anyway... Upward trends are always good, and a 3.0=>4.0 is really pretty impressive. If you can get 750 on all sections of the SAT (2250), score similarly on the SAT IIs, raise your GPA significantly (You got 3.0 one semester, now if you get two 4.0s, you'll be up to a 3.67UW), and get a couple good ECs, I think you'd be a strong candidate even for JHU.</p>

<p>Now I don't know where you heard that Johns Hopkins is harder than Harvard, but I'm almost 100% sure that's not true.</p>

<p>Anyhow, if, as I said above, you get the 2250, 750s, and a 3.66, this is how I'd rank you:
JHU - Slight reach/reach
Georgetown - Match/slight reach
Gettysburg - Safe match</p>

<p>I think you'd have a good shot at the lower Ivys (Cornell and the likes), but once you look at the high Ivys (Harvard and such), I think your chances aren't so great. Then again, do keep in mind that "if you don't apply, you won't get accepted for sure" ^^</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for your reply! Its nice to know i'm finally getting a grasp of the system. </p>

<p>Do you have any recommendations for other colleges in the JHU/Georgetown league that are within reach?</p>