<p>Hey, Im a new member here looking to hear some advice on what I could so to improve my chances at the schools I am applying to. I come from a really unique little town and though Ive had a lot of disadvantages at my school and growing up, I really want to break away. I know my edge on my application will be around my diversity, art, and writing skills. My top choice schools are Scripps College and USC. Other schools I am considering are Pitzer, Williams, Amherst, University of Texas at Austin, and as a safety: University of North Texas. I dont mind honesty or constructive criticism. Thank you so much for taking your time to help! </p>
<p>- Female/Low-Income/Hispanic</p>
<p>GPA: 3.5 (UW) 4.0 (W) </p>
<p>-AP/Honors Classes: In addition to honors Anatomy & Physiology, I am taking AP Calc, AP Stats, and AP Spanish Language. These are the only AP classes offered at my school. I implemented two of them with the help of a few peers. However, our school offers dual credit government, economics, and English classes. I am taking all that is offered in addition to an oil painting course Tuesdays and Thursday 2-5 (though I often stay even later). To sum it up, I am taking the hardest class schedule our school offers. </p>
<p>*-Class rank: * -3/18 (Will the fact I go to such a small school be taken into consideration? I am not even in top 10 percent but, I mean, only the valedictorian is even considered top ten. There are five of us in my class who are neck in neck. Our GPAs are literally within hundredth of each other.)</p>
<p>**-SAT scores: **2000 highest single-sitting, 2050 superscore (680 CR, 610 M, 760 W)</p>
<p>*-SAT II scores: * 640 Lit, 610 US History (Another question was should I even submit these scores to colleges who dont require them? I know my scores are fairly low and I feel like they do not accurately represent me.)</p>
<p>*-ECS *
1. Creative Writing 9-12
-writes short stories, poems, prose etc. NaNoWriMo Participant
2. Fine Arts (Studio) 9-12
-paints, draws; has sold pieces in community auctions; also took life-drawing and painting classes during summer I will be also submitting a supplement portfolio to most of the schools I am applying to.
3. UIL Academic Individual Competition 9-12
-Participant in Journalism (headline, editorial, news and feature) and Ready Writing (essays)
4. Active youth group/church member 9-12
-Committee Council Youth Representative; weekly services; Bible study; assists church nursery
5. Track and Field 9-12
- Varsity, participates in 100 m dash, 200 m dash, 800m relay, long jump; Regional Qualifier, Grades 10 and 11; Placed 8th in 200 m dash and long jump,
6. School Mascot 12
-Participates in cheers and stunts with cheerleaders; pumps up crowd with miming, improv, and skits
I also hold secretary positions in NHS, Student Council, and within my class. These are the only organizations applicable to me in my school. Sadly, we have no newspaper or any type of literary magazine to contribute in. </p>
<p>-Work Experience
-I worked the first two years of high school at an ice cream parlor ~15 hrs/wk. Worked my junior and currently at a pizza place ranging 20 hrs/wk and full-time during holidays. </p>
<p>*-Volunteer Work *
I am really into mission trips.
9th Grade: New York City, assisted Disney artist in drawing Disney cartoons for low-income children, VBS programs, block parties, service projects (2 wks)
10th Grade: Sydney, Australia; drew portraits for nursing home attendees with follow up-counseling, service projects and lots of counseling/talking with people in Redfern indigenous community (month)
11th Grade- Taught English as a Foreign Language in China; made my own lesson plans, curriculum, informal and formal methods
visited schools, universities, parks, nursing homes (month)
Locally, I help with Vacation Bible School yearly, our community Christmas program and outreach, hosting community rallies (like preventing child-abuse, drug-free, etc), and I volunteer at our local fort, </p>
<p>-Honors
-Congressional Art Winner, State Qualifier (Grades 10 & 11)
-All-American Mascot (2010)
-UIL Regional Qualifier (9-12 Grades)
-Newcomer of the Year Award for Promise and Potential (9th Grade)</p>
<p>I think my recs are relevantly strong. With such small classes, I am really close to my teachers. I love sharing books with one of them, and the other I have had since freshman year for English and Spanish.</p>
<p>Ive had several people read my essays, and have had great commentary. They highlight a lot of the weird situations Ive grown up in since I live with my grandparents.</p>