Hello Everyone,
I hope this thread finds you and your family in the best of health. I had some questions pertaining to college admissions, specifically, that of Ivy- League schools. If someone could please kindly answer them, that would be great. Thank you so much once again!
- Can I take the SAT and/ or ACT in sophomore year, and submit those grades to colleges?
- Am I allowed to take the SAT more than once, if so, is their a fee behind it?
- I intend on taking advancement placement classes, as my school is an early college school. What do you think are the minimum amount of AP classes I must take to be considered for these schools?
- I am having trouble finding extra-circular activities that I can do, and then later place on my application, come college admissions? How many extra extracurricular activities should one have to be considered for these schools?
- I did not do so well this freshman year, is it still possible for me to gain acceptance into these schools? What grades have the most important impact on a student’s decision of getting in?
Yes you can take standardized tests as a sophomore but you may find you are better prepared as a junior.
Yes you will need to pay to take the tests.
There is no minimum of AP necessaries. Your application will be reviewed in the context of what your school offers and if your guidance counselor feels you took a rigorous schedule.
IMO it’s not the number of ECs but the depth of your involvement. I think less is more. Only do what you enjoy. Not what you think will look good. Ivy admission is a long shot and should not be the yardstick you use to decide on your activities.
GPA is one of the most critical components of your application. Ivy and equivalent schools are going to want to see at least a 3.8 unweighted gpa.
Just do your best in HS, and participate in activities you enjoy. Even with perfect everything the odds are that you still wouldn’t get in to an Ivy without major hooks. Again, that shouldn’t be the goal.
Thank you so much! Is their anything else I can do to increase my chances?
Go into the subforums for the colleges that you are interested in. Then read the threads with the profiles for accepted students. You’ll see that there is no magic formula. But it all begins with having excellent GPA and scores.