Low stats but special case student

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

As an avid reader of college confidential threads, I feel like it was about time I came to you guys, for I am completely hopeless.

I didn’t try my freshman and sophomore years during to family issues, which happens to everyone, I know, so I won’t dwell on it, but soon after I realized I wanted to apply to competitive “elite” schools, I’m just hoping I’m not a lost cause.
I guess I want you guys to chance me and give me school options based on my stats and ec’s? And if any of you have any advice on how I can make myself a stronger applicant please feel free to let me know as well! I am really really desperate at this point.
I came to America from Egypt in 3rd grade, but didn’t adjust to the language until I was in middle school, I am also a first generation college student and first girl to go to college from my mother’s side if that counts for anything

Freshman:
English honors: B+
Algebra 2 Honors: B
World History honors: A-
Spanish 2:B
Personal Finance: B+
Biology honors: A-

Sophomore:
Ap Human Geography: A (a family member passed away the week of the ap test so I went in and did like 10 questions then left so I ended up scoring a 2, I obviously won’t send that score in)
Eng 10 honors: A-
Pre calc honors: B+
Chem honors: B
Spanish 3: B
Journalism: A

Junior: (my father’s hip surgery went wrong and was unable to walk/drive for months so I became the “man” of the house, leading me to drop all but one of my AP classes, so my junior year schedule isn’t as rigorous as I would’ve liked, but there’s nothing I can do about that now)
AP Eng Lang and Comp: B (took the test, I think i did well)
Calculus: A
Physics honors: A
Modern US history honors: A
Art studio honors: A
Forensics Duel Enrollment: A

Senior year: ( as of right now… this is where I’m torn because I have no idea what classes to take/keep/drop in order to remain as competitive as possible while not overdoing it so I have time to do my college applications. I am considering dropping APUSH and taking a study hall but since I didn’t take Ap’s junior year I feel like I need it to make up for that loss. My other option would be dropping spanish 4 so I can go home early and have more time for my EC’s and college apps, but that would mean I only took 2 years of a foreign language, which i know is frowned upon for most colleges… idk if me being fluent in arabic gives me a passs tho? My last option would be to leave the schedule as it is, please leave your suggestions below.)

AP calc
English 12 honors:
AP Bio:
Ap US History
AP studio Art
Spanish 4
Culinary

Interning with a chemist throughout senior year

My sats scores absolutely blow… but I’m devoting my summer to studying for them
I got a 1210 (new sat)
math: 29
critical reading: 32
writing: 31

ECs:

-cofounded successful nonprofit organization for refugees (have been mentioned on Huffington post and local newspapers)
-freelance blogger for successful blog called Muslim girl (recognized by vogue, MTV, and the white house)
-Key club advisor
-meals with a mission (like a soup kitchen)
-Pilots log editor (school newspaper)
-Multicultural club outreach committee
-Model UN (president?)
-Treasurer of GSA
-national honors society
-Student council board member
-intern as a marketer for halal food festival
-youth leader at my local mosque
(have been in charge of many events such as the halal food festival, walk for water, and multiple muslim youth confrences)
-Democrat republican Club (president)

Summer programs this upcoming summer: Henry Clay for Statesmanship Congress and Girls Who Code

Awards: Princeton Prize in Race Relations (for starting my nonprofit)

I’m really relying on my Ec’s to make me “stand out” amongst other applicants because it is something i’ve devoted a lot of my time towards, I just hope my crappy stats don’t ruin my chances.

Does anyone have any recommendations of what I could be doing to help my chances that I haven’t done already? and should I look into SAT II?

Sorry for this being so long, but any help would be appreciated!

2

Your religious affiliation and involvement should help a lot and help you stand out. One thing I will mention is that there are many, many very good schools that are not at the top of the “elite” schools that you are looking at. I have heard faculty at very competitive schools say that many of the students who attend are academically risk averse. You might look through “Colleges that change lives” or a similar resource to see if a less “elite” school would actually be a better fit in terms of academic and social atmosphere.

3

Thanks for the reply @maffdad! My reason for wanting elite schools (which I don’t necessarily mean are ivy, there are far too many great schools not on that list) is the opportunity. Like I mentioned, I started a charity for refugees (syrian refugee crisis is the biggest humanitarian crisis of our time) so besides my academics, I feel like this is truly an issue that can be world changing, and I want to be presented with as much opportunity and resources as possible to further the success of it.

Do you have any colleges that you recommend that wouldn’t be defined as elite but remain exceptional academically and opportunity wise?

4

What state do you live in? The Ivy’s are out, but if you’re in-state for a public ivy you could probably gain acceptance with a higher sat score. That might be your best option cost-wise, and you’ll get a spectacular education.

5

If you look though the colleges that change lives book you will likely find a good starting list of schools that have an excellent education, that will look at the whole person, and will prepare you for a fulfilling life. You shouldn’t limit yourself, but one example would be private liberal arts midwestern (and maybe southern) schools that emphasize social justice. Don’t look past schools with a religious affiliation especially if it is accepting of others. Schools like this are likely looking for the diversity that a Muslim student would bring, and would likely provide both need based and merit aid. You should not be looking at schools based on list price, but rather be applying to schools that are a good fit and comparing offers. A discussion with an admissions councilor will likely send you in the right direction. You might start early talking to admissions of various schools with your questions, as many are happy to provide guidance. As for foreign language (another of your questions), many schools would accept being fluent in another language as being sufficient. You would probably have to pass a test.

6

I think you have a shot at some schools above the CTCL level, but below the top level. I agree that top 20 universities aren’t happening.

7

You’ll need to be strategic in what you apply for. The fact you speak Arabic is your trump card, because the US right now is desperate to find citizens who are fluent in both English and Arabic.
But the way is narrow - missing one goal means it gets further away from you.

1° Emphasize language skills: look for a community college that offers Spanish 3 (equivalent to HS Spanish 4). Take the class this summer, or in the Fall if you must. Plan to take Spanish 4 at the CC Spring Senior year if you can. Goal: showcase your prowess with languages. Register for the Spanish AP Test. Take the Spanish test in October. Look for a way to get your level of Arabic certified (cultural center, embassy…? Even a college that would administer a test?)

2° Schedule - you need to change it:
AP calc (OK)
English 12 honors (Ok)
AP Bio => take an easier science class - focus your AP’s on your strengths (languages + international relations)
Ap US History => Take European History instead since you’ve already taken US Honors History; it focuses on international relations and modern history more so than World History, which has a huge chunk based on prehistory and ancient times.
AP studio Art (shows nice commitment coupled with Studio Art Honors, but can be a time sink, so ask other students about the time commitment it requires. Switch for AP Art History if the ime commitment for Studio Art is too great and your school offers it. Bear through it if you are good and can get a portfolio together. Photography linked to your Refugee project would loop nicely, especially since you could probably get an exhibit out of it easier than for paintings.)
Spanish 4 => replace, if possible, by the CC alternative that gets to you AP level faster
Culinary => Take AP Gov (US and Comparative) OR, if at the CC, take Political Science or International Relations

3° Dedicate time to prep for the ACT. You MUST bring it up. Use Xiggi’s method for the SAT (even if XIggi hates the ACT, it works for both tests). Buy a prep book and use it intelligently in conjunction with “the real ACT” book and retired real tests that can be found online.
Plan to take the September ACT and SAT SUbjects in October, including Spanish and at least one more (I’d suggest US History; since you took US History Honors, you could always take the test in June if you’re totally up to date on the contents, and can study nonstop from today till Friday, but otherwise you’ll have to wait till October). Think of adding a third one if at all possible as you’ll need every boost you can get and showing mastery (700+) in three subjects, such as US History, Spanish, and a ?, would look better than mastery in two - obviously, only take 2 at a time if you won’t reach 700 otherwise. Better 2 with 700, than 3 with 650.

4° Invest in a Fiske Guide, Princeton Review’s Best Colleges, and Colleges that change lives. Start reading, rying to identify characteristics of colleges you like, and update your thread or create a new one in “College Selection” so that posters can suggest colleges with these characteristics.

5° Talk about costs to your parents. Run the NPC on Tufts, your state flagship, and Goucher, for example.