My first post! Chance me?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hi guys! I've been lurking on CC for a while, but I just made an account and this is my first post! I know people hate these, but... here are my stats: (I'm a junior)</p>

<p>GPA: In my school we use GPAs out of 100, not the 4.0 scale, so unweighted I believe I'm at 99-ish, and weighted it's 107.9
Rank: 3/800-ish
SAT: 2360 (780 CR, 790 M, 790 W) - took it again last week and think I scored higher. Not taking the ACT.
APs: 5 on World History last year. Just took English Language, Chem, Calc BC, and US History. Next year taking Stat, Physics C, Comparitive Gov., Macroeconomics, English Lit, and French.
I've taken the hardest classes available - other than AP's, I took all honors freshman and sophomore year. Next year I'm also taking Advanced Math Seminar, which at my school is this after school, independent study, multivariable calc class.
I go to my local public HS - we send a few kids to ivies each year.
White female
Extracurriculars: I've done ballet for basically my entire life. I dance at least 9 hours/week at a pretty high level. I perform in 7 performances of the Nutcracker each year, and have gotten lead roles. I have attended competative summer intensives, 4-6 weeks in length, every summer since I was 12.
I also play the flute - I take weekly private lessons and am in my school's highest band and orchestra. I got a perfect score on my NYSSMA (NYS School Music Association) evaluation this year, which puts me in the running for All-State. I was accepted to and am attending the NYSSSA (NYS Summer School of the Arts - lots of acronyms!) School of Orchestral Studies this summer - 4 weeks of music, run by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra (and I can't wait!!!)
Community service: I'm in Link Crew at my school - we run freshman orientation and serve as mentors for the freshmen to help the adjust to high school. Not a huge commitment, but fun. I've also done some peer tutoring.
My biggest community service contribution has been fundraising for the American Heart Association. My dad passed away from a heart attack when I was 11, so it's a cause that's close to my heart. This year and last, I organized a week-long bake sale (yes, ironic I know) at school which raised >$1000. I'm planning to do the same next year too. I also participate in the AHA's Heart Walk each year.
Awards: Other than stuff from my school (principal's list and "student of the month"), none to speak of.</p>

<p>I've fallen in love with Princeton (not just for the prestige - it has everything I'm looking for, and seems like it'd be a perfect fit!), and I think I also want to apply to Harvard (why not!), Williams, and Vassar. I'd like to continue ballet in college, but this has been hard to find. Harvard and Princeton both have student ballet companies - part of why I want to apply there! I know the ivies are pretty much a crapshoot for everyone, but I think I have just as much of a shot at these as any non-athlete non-legacy white girl (correct me if I'm wrong). At this point, my biggest problem is finding more realistic matches and safeties. What schools are safeties for someone who only got 3 questions wrong on the SAT? I'm interested in math as a major, but I want to continue to take classes in many different areas. I don't want a pre-professional focus; for now I just want to learn as much as I can for the love of it, and I'd like to be surrounded by others who want the same thing.</p>

<p>Wow this has gotten to be a really long post...sorry! I really appreciate anyone taking the time to read this and to give me any advice on this process! Thanks!!!</p>

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<p>Haha you sound just like me. Except I’m not <em>quite</em> as serious with dance (I stopped last year after 12 years). Other stats sound similar and/equivalent.</p>

<p>As for safeties, try SUNY Binghamton and maybe Union? That’s where I think I’ll be looking for safeties. For targets, try Vassar, Wesleyan, UMich (Ann Arbor), UNC Chappel Hill.</p>

<p>For non-Ivy reeaches, try Swarthmore, WUSTL, and Amherst.</p>

<p>I’ll probably be applying to all of the above, so that’s where I got the ideas from for you. Good luck. :)</p>

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<p>

Why retake a 2360? Also, when did you take this (790 in Math hasn’t been around for a while?)</p>

<p>

None. (Unfortunately), SAT isn’t everything. However, YOU are another matter, since you have good grades and EC’s as well.
Your chances are decent at Princeton and Harvard, but obviously those are super hard to get into, so don’t count on them either.</p>

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<p>@Bobtheboy probably March SAT. I got a 790 for Math then, too.</p>

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</p>

<p>Wow, that’s weird, since I know -2 questions was 740.
What exactly was going through the college board’s heads…</p>

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<p>Wow. This is incredible. I say you’ll be accepted anywhere and everywhere you apply.</p>

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<p>@NavyBlueNinja She certainly has very good chances, but I’m not too certain about being “accepted anywhere and everywhere [she] appl[ies]”</p>

<p>At that level (HYPSM, and other Ivys and top tier schools, as well), it really becomes a crapshoot. With the small number of people they can accept, there is <em>always</em> too many qualified people to fit. So unfortunately, nothing can be certain anymore. If you have amazing stats, but not once-in-a-lifetime student stats (i.e. national/world champion at something; owner of your own multimillionaire dollar corporation; did incredibly, amazingly well despite absolutely horrid circumstances), it really becomes a lottery between the top students who apply. </p>

<p>@OP So while your stats are certainly excellent, definitely make sure you have a good amount of targets and safeties, just in case!</p>

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<p>my sister is a ballerina and she goes to princeton… what i think made her application stand out is that she made contact with one of the head ballet teachers who came to teach at her local company…and her essay was also about her passion for dance, so if this worked for her it could also work for you!!</p>

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<p>Thanks guys!
Yeah, the 790 math was this March. Why did I retake? Haha, a lot of my friends said the same thing. But the 1 math q I missed was a stupid mistake, and I knew I could write a better essay (I got the one about reality shows - ouch!), so why not give it another shot?
And my comment on “what schools are safeties for 3 questions wrong on the SAT” was intended as a joke. Yes, I know scores are’t everything. I guess the question I was really trying to ask was: with my grades, scores, and activities, how selective of schools should I be looking at for safeties (sorry that’s worded kinda wierdly)? Are schools like SUNY Binghamton and possibly UMD “safe” enough for me, or should I include a couple of schools with higher acceptance rates?
@born2dance - Thanks for your suggestions! Any others are welcome :)</p>

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<p>Also try UMaryland for safety, and William&Mary for mid/high target (it’s pretty selective, but you have a good shot).</p>

<p>

@bobtheboy Yeah March’s curves were good if you got 1 off, but any more than that and you were screwed! I got none off for writing and only had one blank fill-in for Math (aka the elusive 790), but I got 3 wrong on CR and got 740! I went through the records for the past 4 or 5 years, and the March curve (CR at least, I didn’t check the others) was the lowest <em>by far</em> out of any of the tests during those 5 years! I didn’t bother going back any further, but I’d be willing to bet that it was the lowest for more than just then. The normal -3CR is like 760-780… oh well.</p>