Let's get me into the Ivy League! :D

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>What do I need on my record, thus far, to stand a chance come admissions? I recognize these are reach schools for anyone, and will be definitely applying to my state university and other safety schools. But I want to aim high!</p>

<p>CLASSES:
------Freshman Year------
-Pre-IB Biology (A/A/A/A)</p>

<p>-Pre-IB World History (A/A/A/A)</p>

<p>-Pre-IB Spanish 1 (A/A/A/A)</p>

<p>-Pre-IB English 1 (A/A/A/A)</p>

<p>-Pre-IB Algebra II (A/A/A/A)</p>

<p>-Anatomy and Physiology Honors (A/A/A/A)</p>

<p>------Sophomore Year (Current)------
-Pre-IB Spanish II (A/A/A/-)</p>

<p>-Pre-IB English II (A/A/A/-)</p>

<p>-Pre-IB Chemistry (A/A/A/-)</p>

<p>-IB Pre-Calculus (A/B/A/-) **Note, the First semester average is an A, as the B was an 89</p>

<p>-AP European History (A/A/A/-) </p>

<p>-Pre-IB Physics (A/A/A/-)</p>

<p>------Junior Year------ **I already picked these and my senior classes (It is an IB thing)
-IB English III</p>

<p>-IB Spanish III</p>

<p>-IB Chemistry II </p>

<p>-AP Biology</p>

<p>-IB Calculus</p>

<p>-AP US History</p>

<p>-Research/Study Hall **My school is starting 7 periods next year, and IB kids will be given a mandatory Study Hall-esque class for working on our Extended Essay Research/ misc that will be weighted.</p>

<p>------Senior Year------
-IB English IIII</p>

<p>-IB Spanish IIII </p>

<p>-IB Biology III</p>

<p>-AP Statistics</p>

<p>-IB History of the Americas</p>

<p>-IB Theory of Knowledge</p>

<h2>-Research/Study Hall</h2>

<p>CLUBS/SPORTS:
-Varsity Swim (Freshman/Sophomore year)
-Academic Team (Freshman/Sophomore year)
-Debate club (freshman year)
-Spanish club (Freshman/Sophomore year)</p>

<h2>-Model United Nations, Treasurer (sophomore year) **Not sure if this is worth noting, but it was not founded until my sophomore year</h2>

<p>VOLUNTEER WORK:
-102 hours spent volunteering at a local Theatre</p>

<h2>-50 other hours doing various other tasks in the community</h2>

<p>MISC.
-Job as an actor in a local improvisation troupe since summer of freshman/sophomore year
-Hispanic
-Sophomore PSAT score: 178 ** I did no preparing for it, as the sophomore one does not count for National Merit, and I will be fully prepared for the Junior PSAT
-Public regular/IB school
-5.0 weighted GPA, 4.0 non weighted GPA</p>

2

<p>Bump ba bump</p>

3

<p>Hispanic? Check</p>

<p>yeah youre in</p>

4

<p>Erm, being a URM does not guarantee you anywhere, it is just a hook. Any other advice, anyone else?</p>

5

<p>Thank you very much for the feedback!</p>

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<p>Just another thing to think about, Harvard rejected over 50 36’s on the ACT. Study and study more for the standardized tests. If you don’t have a 35 or 36 you’re at a huge disadvantage.</p>

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<p>Mzack, I love that you’re saying it’s a reach even for you… You didn’t get in</p>

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<p>Oh, and OP, you’re on a good track for great schools, but the ivies are a crapshoot for anyone. Just make sure once you’re a senior you apply to other top schools, other than ivies, along with matches, and safeties.</p>

9

<p>URM will help a lot. One of my Mexican friends got into Stanford last year and he had absolutely no other unique things (unless financial need counts). I heard he had a great essay too. Also another one of my friends got in this year with a 2070 SAT. He is Cambodian and 1st-gen going to college. As for Ivies I have a friend who got into Cornell/Duke and another who was deferred for Harvard this year. The former basically worked ridiculously hard and did just about every possible EC, the latter is just a genius with very few (if any) ECs…</p>

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<p>You’re off to a good start. Try to gain some leadership roles in ECs and community service – showing leadership (as opposed to just showing up) is a hot button with these elite schools. I’d also write an essay about your improv work – it’s different and it’s interesting. Interesting will get you in faster than a few extra points on your SAT.</p>

<p>Your future acceptance at an elite school ultimately comes down to 15 seconds in front of a committee. Your local rep finds your credentials distinctive and decides to advocate for you in front of the committee. At this time, he or she has perhaps 15 seconds to encapsulate your background, stats, and unusual achievements. Then the committee votes. Organize your application’s essays and list of accomplishments so you can be best profiled in those 15 seconds to be a unique and interesting individual:</p>

<p>“And here I have a Hispanic male, superb grades, solid SAT, with a good sense of humor and the ability to think quickly on his feet: he’s on the Debate Team, Academic Team and does Improv in his spare time. He’s the sort who would get involved beyond the classroom and inspire others to also do so.”</p>

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<p>Thank you very much LoremIpsum! That is super good knowledge to have!</p>

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<p>Hispanics and AfroAmericans get into HYP with 3.8 GPAs and 2200 SAT, so if you do not screw up you GPA and get good SAT scores then your in. Literally everywhere</p>

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<p>do more EC’s (ideally in a specific area) and get a good SAT or ACT score and you’re good</p>