I am not convinced this is true:
There is outreach- definitely at Dartmouth where they have a fly-in (paid visit) in ~October for Native Americans and those interested in Native American Studies. Harvard also has outreach. I am not sure about the other schools.
I would investigate fly-ins via internet search and, if I were you, I would look into Questbridge if you qualify (it is a program for first generation, low income students).
Thank you, @1golfer1. Your information is very helpful. I’m positive that grade inflation is not a factor-our classes are just not very challenging- excluding the five AP classes I am taking. My ACT score was obtained Freshman year, and I am currently a Junior, so that score is not exactly accurate (I hope). I think that is pretty evident based on the fact that I have passed both AP exams that I have taken. I scored a 5 in English and a 4 in Chemistry. Once again, thank you for all your advice and being critical of my qualifications but keeping the pessimistic tendencies low.
If your classes aren’t very challenging than grade inflation is a factor, that is pretty much the definition of grade inflation.
Regardless, you shouldn’t put much stock in your ACT score you obtained as a freshman. You were being compared against Juniors and Seniors and still came out in the top 20%. You will almost certainly score better, probably much better, if you take the test now.
Retest, apply and cross your fingers.
The poster’s ACT score is from a while back. A lot can change in a few years. It is possible that the poster will retest and not score dramatically higher. Then, the poster’s sights will have to be lowered. But over the course of a few years, test scores can go up fairly considerably. My son had a PSAT as a first semester sophomore of 205, but wound up with a supersoore of 2340 as a second semester junior. That’s nearly three hundred points in about 18 months.
Time - and a retake of the ACT - will tell the tale.
Thank you, @notjoe! I retook my ACT today, and I have taken a few practice test all with an average score of 31. We’ll see how it goes.
Native American makes a massive difference, still get your ACT up
Good luck! I hope you knocked it out of the ballpark!
No need to send me your application to proofread for errors - I am sure you will check much more carefully on a college application versus an internet forum. That part of my comment was meant to be humorous, not stressful.
Good luck on retaking your tests - your practice tests seem to prove you are going in the right direction.
Since you are a URM, first gen, at a competitive level for collegiate sport, it would seem to me that you have a triple hook. The URM and athlete combination may be enough to overcome test scores on the lower end of the otherwise qualified applicant pool. Have you considered asking your high school coach to reach out to the college coaches for application advice?
If you hang out here for a while, you will find the vast majority of members will try to remain positive yet don’t want you to get your hopes too high when in reality the odds are not great for anyone. Having a hook helps, having two or three probably helps a lot more, but being really interesting - which it sounds like you may be - may be the most helpful.
Thank you, everyone!
@3puppies, I am sorry for misinterpreting your comment. Thank you for all the valuable information you have extended. I, too, agree that many people are too quick to say one will be accepted, but I also believe there are a few that are too quick to underestimate the abilities of others. I am a firm believer that superlative standardized test scores are commendable and crucial for ivy league acceptance, but a test score is just a number and is absolutely inadequate in measuring the determination and hard work of the student who earned that score. I would love to be accepted into the ivy school I am pursuing, but if I do not get accepted I will still be successful because I am willing to work to achieve my goals. Once again, thank you for all your help, and I will extend my interests to my coaches and continue improving my scores.