Junior Looking at Colleges

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi! I’m a Junior in High School and I was just wondering if any of the colleges so far would be at all possible for me!

GPA: 4.0 unweighted, Sophomore Year it was around 4.77 weighted, but I think it will be higher after this year since I’m taking APs. I’m in the top 5% of my class.

I have taken all Honors classes freshman and sophomore year, and this year I’m taking AP Lang and Comp, AP Bio, and APUSH. All my other classes are Honors.
Next year I plan on taking AP Psych, AP Calc, AP Spanish, AP Lit, and AP Environmental.
At my school, you are not allowed to take APs until junior year

SAT: 2110 (720 Critical Reading, 700 Math, 690 Writing)

Extracurricular: Cross Country (captain next year), Indoor and Outdoor Track, Class Council Treasurer, Student Government, School Newspaper (hopefully I will be an editor next year!), Best Buddies, Exchange Trip to Spain, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, I work in the tutoring center of my school, Girl Scouts since I was in kindergarten, a lot of volunteering (food pantry/town events/teaching classes at the elementary school/service trips), and Link Crew (freshman mentoring program mentor). Last summer, I also took a two week class at Brown.

I don’t have recs yet, but I think that they would be pretty strong because I’m close with a lot of my teachers. I also haven’t written an essay yet, but I also that that would be pretty good because I really enjoy writing

Anyways, I was just wondering if there is a chance I could get into Brown, Bowdoin, Middlebury, Wesleyan, or Williams (the schools I really like at this point), or if I should start looking at schools that are easier to get into since those are obviously really tough. I’m sorry this was so long thank you!

2

Well yes to both questions- you’re only mid way through your junior year but at this point your stats look strong to make you competitive at the schools you listed if you can keep it up. Everyone should be looking at matches and safeties as well as their top choices- both for selectivity and for financials if you need FA- so yes of course pursue schools that would fall into the match and safety category as well. My own D also loved the schools you mentioned so if you are interested in what was on her list of matches and safeties feel free to PM me and i can give you some other interesting ideas if you need any but hopefully you have an excellent GC who can help you come up with a list that covers your bases.

My advice FWIW:

  1. take the ACT at least once; also take the SAT again because increasing any scores will help even though your sores are borderline good enough now (there is room for improvement of course but you won’t get rejected based on those scores esp if you maintain a 4.0 and have excellent recs and a strong essay)

  2. take the subject tests in bio, US history, and Eng +/- math 1 or 2 (depending on whether you are strong in trig) at the end of this year. But you must study for them- much easier to get a good score while the subjects are fresh then to study for them next fall when you have a million other things on your plate.

  3. Consider going early decision if you can decide on a true favorite. This is hands down the best way to maximize your chances of getting in to any one of the schools you listed. But if you need to compare FA packages this won’t be as wise of a choice- best for students who need lots of aid or who don’t need any aid. The schools you mentioned don’t give merit aid so that would be a problem for you if you need merit aid regardless of what round you apply.

  4. make sure to put a ton of thought into your applications- from essays to activities- you have spent a lifetime building your record and the adcoms will spend all of 10-15 minutes max reading your story. Make sure your story is well thought out, that your app puts you in the best light possible and emphasizes the aspects that are most important to you and that make the most sense with your academic goals etc.

  5. The essays are very important with the schools you listed. Make sure they “show” who you are and do not “tell” per se. My own D wrote about a seemingly mundane conversation that took an interesting turn which made her reflect upon the nature of her own intellectual curiosity. It worked well for her and I do think it helped her get into her ED school. The essays take a ton of time and energy- most students will write many drafts before their essays are submission ready!

  6. which leads me to the last point- college admissions is a long process for the applicants who want to go to selective schools and who want to leave no stone unturned on the way so to speak. Do lots of visits if you can; interview when you can unless you have social awkwardness/anxiety issues then avoid them :slight_smile:

Your senior fall will be VERY BUSY so try to get your testing out of the way by early fall if at all possible in order to leave time to work on the applications. And go for ED if you have a clear #1 and can afford it. Good luck, you are interested in some pretty awesome schools!

3

Pretty much second everything in the above. If you have already started prepping for SAT, either for the next test or for the previous one, I suggest continue with that and taking a second SAT first. If you’re not happy with the next score, then go for ACT.

In addition, remember to apply for a good summer program for this year. Applications are opening up (and even closing) around this time. The essays for the programs will help prepare you for college application essays.

P.S Come join us at the Class of 2016 thread in the High School Life forum.

4

You have some solid stats and activities, so you should have a decent chance. Make sure to also select a few safeties to apply to as a backup plan. With your stats, you should get some decent scholarship money. Is money a concern?

5

Keep up the good work! As of right now, you most certainly have a chance at those schools!

6

you have a strong chance!