Junior in HS wanna see how I am doing

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

So I’m a junior but wanna see my chances at my schools I am thinking of applying to
Colleges:
Targets and Safeties: UIUC, George Washington University, American University, Depaul, Marquette
Reaches: Vanderbilt, Georgetown, George Washington University, Northwestern, U of Chicago,
I also plan on applying EA for most of these, applying for financial aid, and scholarships

Demographics/hook: eastern European white male first-gen immigrant (not first-gen student)

State: Illinois

GPA: 3.84 unweighted 4.38 weighted

PSAT:1210 (590 reading 620 math, also I think translated to an SAT score its a 1310)
(I know my SAT is really bad any tips would be cool too I just using khan right now)
AP with some test scores *if not mentioned no test taken or not yet taken: AP Human Geo 5, AP seminar, AP World History 4, AP Physics, AP Language, AP Government, AP US History, trying to become some sort of AP Scholar this year too

Honors/dual-credit: Dualcredit Spanish at Eastern Illinois University, honors classes every class available for core classes, along with some electives

Extracurriculars: Debate team: 9-10 (also foreign affairs research chair for 10th grade*. Speech team 9-11. Scholastic Bowl 9-11. Student Principal Advisory Council member Several political campaigns in the 2020 election including field director and political director for a senate primary in Iowa, field organizer (only paid one) for a congressional primary in Wisconsin, field intern for a congressional race in Illinois (received school credit for this), field organizing intern (paid) for state party of Iowa, and a high-ranking member of a new organization called the United Rural Democrats being a state director for Illinois, secretary, and a board member.

Any questions let me know! Thanks!

2

My recommendation is to take a lot of practice tests (at least 4 or 5) and even if math isn’t your strong suit I find it to be the easier section (just make sure to make sure you know all the material). Also, maybe take an ACT practice test and see how you do on that then compare and contrast and if you do better on an ACT practice test maybe take that instead. But what is really really important is practice, practice, practice. Studies show the more confident you are the better you will do when you take it. Good luck!

1 Like
3

You are in great shape but here is my advice for the next year. Your starting SAT (approx 1310) is fantastic. Use Kahn Academy and do a few hours per week and take 2 or 3 practices per month to get yourself into the 1450s. Make sure to aim for straight As second semester and take a courseload senior year that is equal to your junior year one. The SAT will be more important than your AP test scores. Your ECs are great if you are looking into any form of history/poli-sci/government/international relations major. I would say refine your college list. Your reaches are great but look into better targets.Most of your targets seem like safeties. Try looking into Wash U, Northeastern, Boston University, University of Virginia. You can definitely aim higher than American and DePaul.

1 Like
4

Thanks for the advice!

5

Thank you! Yeah I just added American and Depaul because I thought I had a small list, and don’t want too many reaches but I’ll look into those schools! I should keep the rest, right? I definitely need more safeties/targets but I don’t want too many reaches as I’d like to focus on the 4 there are I think I meant to put George Wash U as a target oops

6

3 safeties Max, 4 or 5 targets, 3 or 4 reaches. If you can get in the 1450 range, all of the schools I mentioned would be good targets for you.

1 Like
7

You seem like an incredible candidate! Your SAT seems great so far. I was worse than you where I scored a 1160 on my PSAT!!! I dedicated two months (from July to August, leading to the August 29 SAT) to taking at least a dozen practice exams. I got my score to 1460 (730, 730). Don’t feel discouraged!!

1 Like