I am currently a junior. I am fairly proud of my academics and ECs, but I don’t know if they would qualify me for an Ivy. My guidance counselor and my friends and family are trying to push me to apply. Would I be wasting my time?
I would apply as a Political Science/Government major.
WGPA- 4.05
UWGPA-3.7
SATs- Took only once- 2200 (CR 740 Math 700 Writing 760)
I have taken 4 AP courses and 3 Honors. Next year I am taking 3 more APs and 2 Honors.
EC:
Altar Server
Church Choir
Volunteer for MS Society
Model UN
Model Congress
Mock Law (Vice President)
Student Council
Student Rep to School Board
District Attorney Youth Board
13 Years of Dance
Cross Country
Indoor/Outdoor Track
Intern on both a gubernatorial and a state senate campaign
Field Director on a City Council campaign
3.7 is on the low side for Ivy league colleges. Your SAT is solid but not exceptional. Fairly wide range of ECs. Are you a legacy or URM? You will probably need 2 subject tests
Your SAT should be 2300+ if you want to increase your chances at Ivy League. Also, like the person above me said, you need to submit 2 SAT subject tests in.
@Wje9164be What score on the subject tests is considered good for Ivy League? (Other than a full score).
You need a stellar EC or some other reason (recruited athlete) for an Ivy to admit you with that lower GPA and very solid but not outstanding SAT score (not outstanding for Ivy League). Apply if you must, but I do think you will be denied at all of them.
Your extracurriculars definitely show your interest in political science/government, which is a good thing as Ivy Leagues like to see a passion! Although already mentioned above, most Ivies highly recommend that you take at least two SAT subject tests, and it might be good if you take them and do well in subjects that reflect your interests. I would also suggest looking into an internship or other opportunity that you could do over the summer in your field of interest. And if possible, take the SAT again. Your score is great, but if you could do better, that would be even greater. Best of luck!
Also, how important would recommendations be? I can get a personal recommendation from the former Head of Medicare and Medicaid, who is a 3-time Harvard grad and spoke at one of their med school graduations. Also, I can get a 2-time Harvard grad write one who is now a state senator. Is that going to give me any significant advantage?
@poliscinerd12316 I talked to an individual who worked at one of the Ivy Leagues, and they stated that the essay is VERY important; many have received perfect scores on the SAT or ACT and got rejected due to the essay. I know it sounds funny, but it’s the truth.
2200 is fine for your SAT. Don't spend the time you could be spending on your essays on retaking the SAT.
Letters of recommendation should ideally be from former or current teachers. A boss will do, if you worked closely with the individual, and if you had a fairly responsible position. The quality of the recommendation is far more important than the prestige of the recommender.
Letters of recommendation should describe the applicant in once-in-a-lifetime superlatives, as in, "He is the best history student I've seen in my career."
Your guidance counselor's input on your behalf is vital. He must indicate that you have taken the most rigorous courseload permitted by the school, and that you are among the top of your class.
Essays are vital. A good essay will get someone with relatively modest academic accomplishments (like a 3.7 UW GPA) admitted. A bad essay will doom an otherwise perfect candidate. Essays should give voice to the real you. They are your chance to speak directly to the admissions committee.
Don't be fooled. Extracurriculars are merely means by which the admissions committee figures out who you are. The details of your activities are usually not very important. Unless you're seriously competing for the Intel Prize, or some sort of academic olympiad, don't allow your extracurriculars to cause you to give short shrift to your school work. Your transcript is the first and most important factor in admission to the Ivies.