McGill/Wisconsin/Pitzer Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello everyone! </p>

<p>I live in Northern Virginia, just outside of DC. My school was ranked 216 in the country, and we have a difficult grading scale. An A is 94-100, B+ is 90-93, B is 84-89, C+ is 80-83 and so on. We do not rank students. </p>

<p>After my junior year, my cumulative GPA is a 3.587. I think on a 90-100 A Scale I would be at about a 3.8. (I am really hoping the schools I apply to take the scale into consideration) We receive .5 for every AP course, nothing for honors. Here's my transcript:</p>

<p>8th Grade:
Algebra 1 Honors - B+
French 1 - B+</p>

<p>9th Grade:
English 9 Honors- A
Journalism 1- A
World History 1 - A
Geometry- A
Bio 1 Honors- B+
French 2- B
Health/PE 9- A</p>

<p>10th Grade:
English 10 Honors- A
Journalism 2- A
AP World History- B
Algebra 2 - B
Chemistry 1 - B
French 3- C+
Health/PE 10- A</p>

<p>11th Grade:
AP English Lang/Comp- A
AP US History - B
AP Psych - B
Trig/Math Analysis- B
Physics 1 - B
French 4- B+
German 1 - A</p>

<p>And my classes for next year are
AP Lit
AP US/Comparative Gov
AP Stat
Photo 1
French 5
Geosystems
Journalism 3</p>

<p>I've done indoor and outdoor track all three years and played varsity tennis last year. I am president of our French Club, in National Honor Society, and an AP Scholar. I will be an editor of the school newspaper next year. I have worked both during the school year and summers for the past two years at an ice cream store.</p>

<p>My SAT's are 1960 (600 Math, 690 Reading, 670 Writing). I am taking the US History and Lit Subject Tests in October.
My AP's are:
5- World History
5- Psychology
5- Eng Lang/Comp
4- US History</p>

<p>Schools:
McGill
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Pitzer
UC Santa Barbara (maybe)</p>

<p>Right now McGill is my top choice, though I'm uncertain on my chances of getting in as admissions chances are so varried. My gameplan as of now is to apply to UW in September. As they offer rolling admission, I will hopefully hear from them fairly quickly. If I am accepted, I can relax and just focus on my applications to Pitzer and McGill. If not, I can panic and apply to more safe schools. </p>

<p>Sorry for all the information, I just wanted to be as thorough as possible. I know my biggest flaw is my Math SAT but I really don't intend on majoring in anything that involves Math. Should I retake? </p>

<p>Thanks for ALL your input and advice.</p>

2

<p>I think you'll have no trouble getting into McGill... Wisconsin and Pitzer are high matches/low reaches. The only thing holding you back is your standardized test score -- maybe you should try taking the ACT. I would definitely either retake the SAT or take the ACT.</p>

3

<p>I have thought about the ACT, except Math and Science are not my strengths. Worth a shot I guess</p>

4

<p>I would definitely take the SAT again and probably a good idea to take the ACT. Just wondering - why have you chosen these colleges? They don't seem to have a lot in common. Do you have any idea what you'd like to study or where you'd like to live? The weather at McGill and Wisconsin is a lot different from that at Pitzer. Nevertheless, you'll get into plenty of good schools with your record!</p>

5

<p>My only hesitation about taking the SAT again is that it won't improve. My 1960 is AFTER I took a class, and my score improved about 150 points. And yes, my schools are pretty scattered but I searched for schools that I could really see myself feeling at home at. With McGill, I fell in love with Montreal and the Hogwarts-esque campus. With Wisconsin, I loved the school spirit and how different the Midwest is from my home. Also the tuition for these two places is not outrageous and that is a big concern of mine. Pitzer, on the other hand, is a bit out of my budget but it is the small, quirky liberal arts school that I think I would feel very at home at. Also, these three schools have great study abroad options and as I would like to major in International Studdies or International Business, this is important to me. Does anyone have any other school suggestions for me to look into? I am not dead set on these three. My family is moving to Seattle next summer so Washington will be "in state" for me.</p>

6

<p>Wait, McGill is a go and Wisconsin is low reach? WOW.</p>

<p>That's gotta be the first time I've ever heard that one.</p>

7

<p>Jman, are you saying I am being unrealistic? I think my scores are pretty on target for Wisconsin and my family has some history there. I would be very happy at either of the schools.</p>

8

<p>Anymore thoughts? I'd love to hear what you guys think</p>

9

<p>bump................</p>

10

<p>last bump...I really do appreciate any and all input</p>