Asian male attending a competitive public school in Maryland looking to apply to top schools.
SAT I: 2130 (600 CR, 800 M, 730 W)
ACT: 32 (34 E, 33 M, 31 R, 30 S), 32 (35 E, 34 M, 29 R, 30S)
SAT II: Math II: 800, Biology E: 700
I will be taking the ACT again in September and, based on practice tests taken under timed conditions, should score a composite ACT score of around 34. I will also be taking the Biology E Subject Test again in October and am aiming for at least a 750.
Unweighted GPA: 3.80
Weighted GPA: 4.35
Rank: school does not rank, but I am guessing either top 20 or 30%
AP: Calculus BC (5), Calculus BC: AB Subscore (5), Chemistry (4), Computer Science A (5), English Language and Composition (5), United States Government and Politics (5), World History (4)
Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, Computer Programming 3, AP Biology, AP English Literature and Composition, Honors Physics (AP Physics 1 and 2), Honors French 4
My concern here is my class rank; I am most definitely not in the top 10% of my class. Will that alone disqualify me from top schools?
Completely disquality? No, but your odds are extremely small, even compared to the small odds the very top students face. As you say, class rank is working against you, and your current scores are also just a bit low for the most selective schools. But even if you get the 34, the odds are tiny.
The good news is there are dozens of extremely good schools that are right in your range, and many with strong merit scholarships, if money is an issue. Don’t get all hung up on the HYPS syndrome. There are so many great undergrad schools where you would get a world-class education (and I mean that quite literally, not as a convenient marketing line) and you would shine and get all sorts of opportunities.
@fallenchemist Suppose I do still want to aim for those top tier schools. Would my odds be small to the point where I shouldn’t even bother applying? I understand that my class rank may be on the low side of the spectrum, but I do feel that my other stats are up to par with other applicants, assuming I follow through with my predictions.
Well, the answer is really as obvious as it seems. If you don’t apply, you won’t get in and the odds on that are 100%. So sure, as long as you are emotionally prepared for what is the highly likely result, then you should by all means apply. There are always a few surprises every year. I assume it goes without saying that you need to apply as well to schools that are in the next tier down where the average student matches/is somewhat lower than your stats, as well as a couple of virtually sure things, to the extent those exist. Look into those next tier schools with an open mind and try and get off the prestige train. I can promise you that some of those schools are likely to fit you as well or better than the HYPS breed, if you can shake the need to worry about a nameplate.
@fallenchemist Will do. Thank you for all the advice.