<p>Current Junior, worried mainly about my test scores and their impact on my chance at the private institutions</p>
<p>Also would like recommendations for very-high-level-but-more-likely-to-be-accepted schools (vanderbilt is an example)</p>
<p>GPA 4.567 something weighted 4.0 unweighted (rank 5 weighted 1 unweighted) out of 350</p>
<p>MAIN CONCERN-------------</p>
<p>SAT 2240 (retaking tomorrow)
740 math and reading
760 writing</p>
<p>ACT 35
34 reading math
35 writing
36 science</p>
<hr>
<p>SAT math II 800 and chem 800
Physics 750 (probably will not report)</p>
<p>AP's: Euro 4
Chem 5
US history 5
Lit 5
Physics 5</p>
<p>very accomplished in band (marching, school band, district band, state band, local youth symphony)
national science bowl competitor in washington DC representing my state
permanent volunteer at a local museum (probably will get presidential award next year for 100 hrs)
NHS SNHS etc.</p>
<p>I'm mainly worried about my chance at getting into Harvard, Columbia, MIT, Stanford with my test scores. I'm retaking both SAT and ACT soon. What would you say are more practical apply schools? Considering Berkeley and UCLA (friend is on the board of directors at UCLA and told me I'm "guaranteed to get in" because of it)</p>
<p>your academic standpoints are solid, but remember that ivy leagues and comparable institutions are looking for people who go beyond academics, so your ec’s need some work</p>
<p>Especially if you improve your SAT scores, your academic record is excellent. I wouldn’t worry about that.</p>
<p>However, you should consider the following points when applying to schools like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc. Ivy league schools and their equivalents receive applicants with your academic record by the dozens. Plenty of people work hard in high school and get good test scores, GPAs, and ECs. However, a school can’t accept all of them. Thus, admissions officers need to look for something that makes an application stand out above the others. They are looking for a great story, a hook that will make them think, “Wow, this isn’t just a smart kid. This is someone who is genuinely unique.”</p>
<p>Look for something in your life that makes you different from the myriad of applicants. It could be something unbelievable, such as building a school in Africa or curing cancer. It could also be something as simple as a personal goal that was a struggle for you to accomplish. Whatever it is, emphasize it in your essays, interviews, and wherever else you can. Show that you are someone who can commit themselves to a goal and work through struggles despite the odds. Whatever you do, make sure it’s a great story that they won’t forget anytime soon. Good luck! Help me out? 
<a href=“Should I transfer? - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1656409-should-i-transfer.html</a></p>
<p>He doesn’t need to improve his SAT scores, he got a 35 on the ACT. I don’t understand why you are retaking the SAT…</p>
<p>Anyway, you look extremely qualified, and @Dzheims is right about how you need to stand out. Make your essays have so much voice that your mother could pick it out of a pile of nameless papers. Your essays will be the difference between an acceptance and a waitlist. </p>
<p>If you need any help with your essays you can PM me! I felt like I rocked the essays even though I hadn’t accomplished anything too amazing, but Princeton still saw something they liked apparently. You are an awesome applicant and I have no doubt that you’ll end up going to whichever school you belong at. </p>