Messed up first semester Junior year...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I don't really know where to begin. I'm a junior in high school, and I've aspired to get into top colleges ever since I knew they existed. However lately I've been getting really demotivated, and it's affecting how I've been doing. I moved last summer after Sophomore year from a small, poor but competitive school in Cali to a large, rich, and even more competitive school in Arizona. Here are some of my stats:</p>

<p>Freshman year: 1 B in Chem 1st semester, straight A's the rest.
Sophomore year: 1 B in English 1st semester, straight A's the rest. Took the Calc AB test, 5. Took the Physics B test, got a 4.
All of my classes were MYP/Honors classes though not all of them were weighted. I finished the program, got my MYP diploma, and did a mini fundraising project where I raised 350 bucks.
Junior year at my new school: 4B'S! ): AP/IB USH, AP/IB English, AP/IB Calc BC, and AP/IB Bio. I know the curriculum really well, and I'm fairly certain I'll pull 5's in all tests.</p>

<p>UW GPA S/J year: 3.80
UW GPA F/S/J year: 3.85
I don't know how I stand with class rank. I'll probably still be in the top 10% seeing that my new high school is extremely large and my courseload is both difficult and heavy.</p>

<p>I'll be taking all of the IB tests as well. Chem this year, English, French (SL), History, Math, Bio nest year.</p>

<p>I'm also taking courses at the community college behind our house starting this spring.</p>

<p>SAT: Haven't taken it, but my best practice test has been 2020, no studying.
PSAT: Studied for a week or so, pulled a 206 so I'll probably be commended.
SAT Math 2: 790. Darn that one question.
Planning to take: Bio and Chem as well.</p>

<p>Started Academic Decathlon, and our school is terrible but I get the highest scores in school. I'll probably end up being president there. I'll definitely bring some big changes to that class.
I've been doing speech and debate since Freshman year. I absolutely love it. Luckily, they liked my skillz enough to make me speech captain, and I'd say I have a shot at being president next year there too. If not, I'll def. make VP or debate captain. I'm extremely involved in speech and debate, and I hope I'll get to nationals this year. I feel like I'm working my way up! (:
I love singing. I feel like I'm really good at it. Sadly, I'm not involved in anything big and important, but I'm hoping to audition for some musicals and join some choirs. I've got my music teacher looking around. Also, hopefully I'll have room in my schedule to join our extremely selective Barbershop choir. I'm guaranteed a spot if nothing in my schedule conflicts.
Service: I'd love to improve here most (aside from grades). I worked at a soup kitchen all freshman year, and I fundraised in events for hospitals sophomore year. I've put in an application to volunteer at an actual hospital, and I'll be going every week, maybe twice for at least two hours.</p>

<p>I want to go into a pre-med program, and if that isn't possible, I'd like to go into a heavily researched based Bio program and then go to med school.</p>

<p>My question is, with everything I have, assuming I carry everything out to the best end, will my Junior stats ruin it for me for Ivy Leagues and top schools? My first choice is Brown, second is Duke (I have legacy from my dad). UPenn, UChicago, and Cornell are also on my favorites list. Yes, I've looked at their stats, yes I have a backup. But it still gnaws at me that I might not be able to get into a top school. I'd just like a second opinion. What do you think?</p>

2

<p>Bump.
Also, would it help if I talk about the challenges of moving to a new place with a rickety family, not in the main essay, but maybe somewhere else?</p>

3

<p>Gosh. I know there are a lot of posts, but I would very much appreciate any insight at all. :confused: Thanks for your time beforehand.</p>

4

<p>I think that all things considered, your grades this semester shouldn’t hurt you too much if you can write well about moving and how it affected you. </p>

<p>That said, a 2020 is a pretty low sat score for ivy’s. You should probably get it up around 200 points to be more comfortable. </p>

<p>If I were you, I wouldn’t do the community college courses next semester. Instead you should focus on getting your grades up at school and raising your sat score. </p>

<p>I think you probably have a decent shot at some of these schools, but try to do something interesting next summer maybe? </p>

<p>Oh and good luck :)</p>

5

<p>I’m not sure how it’s possible to have an unweighted 3.8 with 4 Bs. I’ve also never seen a public school where that would put you in the top 10%.</p>

<p>I think you need to be more realistic about your college list. Neither your GPA or scores look competitive for ivies. For Duke as a legacy I see a chance if you are top 10% and pull the SAT up to a 2150.</p>

<p>There are lots of wonderful schools for your stats.</p>

6

<p>I take a lot of other classes, I suppose. I’ve calculated the GPA too many times to count.
Like I said, it’s a competitive school and there are a lot of kids who are motivated to take lots of AP and IB classes. SAT’s I’ve been working on. I think with study I can get a score in the 2300’s.
I do have some realistic colleges. WashU @ SL, UNC, Davis, it’s just that Cornell, Brown, and UPenn would be nice. Really nice.</p>