My Ivy League Chances

<p>I'm trying to avoid wasting money on applications; do I have a chance at any Ivy League schools? I have a 4.1 GPA, take a foreign language CP and AP classes(scores pending), am ranked 2nd in my class, received a 32 on my ACTs, was in the 92 percentile on my PSATs, have 120 hours of community service, and am a member of NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, SADD, PEPP, Link Crew, Concert and Marching Band. I also plan on taking the SATs but have not yet. If not Ivy League then am I at least a good candidate for schools in my state such as University of Michigan or Michigan State? Finally, do you think any scholarship money is a possibility? Sorry if I ask too many questions! Thanks!!</p>

<p>need unweighed GPA</p>

<p>PSAT and ACT are low for Ivies. </p>

<p>bland ECs</p>

<p>without hook, no chance and HYP. unlikely at lower ivies. ED might be a shot</p>

<p>PSATs aren't looked at usually. ACTs aren't low. It's around 50-75th percentile in most ivies.</p>

<p>Bobert oversimplified it way too much. Admissions are a crapshoot.</p>

<p>for competitive applicants, yes. in this case, the OP's test scores and ECs are at best mediocre for Ivy applicants, especially HYP.</p>

<p>Would high SAT scores or added extra curriculars put ome over the top or should i aim for less competitive schools?</p>

<p>you have an entire summer to improve your SAT/ACT scores. so yes, if you can get SAT to be 2250+, or 34 ACT, you will be a competitive applicant to even the ivies</p>

<p>Your ACT is fine for most ivies; it just wont help you at all. If you can get some unique ECs then you have a better chance.</p>

<p>like bellydancing?</p>

<p>Michigan state sounds like a safety...You have a pretty good shot at Michigan, your PSATs are too low, but your ACT is in range for ivies...Generic ECs, HYP are big reaches, other ivies are reaches</p>

<p>Something amazing that shows who you are and your passion.</p>

<p>try showing a passion for an ivy league school. i highly doubt that all 8 would be a fit for a person because they are so different. it is pointless to apply to dartmouth (for ex.) just because you think you can get in even if city-life really appeals to you. you need to pick an ivy that is for you. don't apply to a school only because of its athletic conference!!!</p>

<p>if you want a city, try penn or harvard or columbia
if you want a rural area try datmourth
if you want a really social place try dartmouth or penn or yale</p>

<p>there are so many differences that you should really focus your search a little more and look beyond the "ivy league" name!</p>

<p>i'm starting to think that nearly all ppl (not to pick on the OP) that ask "my chances at ivy league schools" are probably NOT going to ever get into one. WhY? Because they haven't done the research on these schools, and so when it comes time to write essays about why they want to attend, they'll say "because it's an ivy." Lol, well maybe not that bluntly. You should first look at the schools and WHY they interest you...like crashingwaves said, they are very different schools. Once you pick some out that truly interest you, if you have pretty good grades, it comes down to your reasons for wanting to attend the university. That is where your chances are truly affected, because unless you are superstudent with a 2400 SAT, 4.0 GPA, and insane ECs, there is no way someone in this forum can sit there and say "you're in at that ivy league school." And even with those stats, no one can say for sure.</p>

<p>But ya with hard work and the development of some true interest in schools based on what they offer, not their prestige, you have a shot.</p>

<p>To narrow it down my particular interest was Columbia because I have researched the ivies and this one definitely appealed to me the most!! Thanks for the help!!</p>

<p>sorry, you definately WON'T get into columbia...</p>

<p>What are you ranked second out of how big of a class?</p>

<p>Could you tell us your UNWEIGHTED GPA, every school does it differently...</p>

<p>You also have no EC passion, which is DEFINATELY harm your chances on getting into top schools...</p>

<p>Also SAT info is important to colleges...</p>

<p>Lets be frank, you have no hook, you have no good ECs... Sorry, you definately WILL NOT get into an academic powerhouse school like columbia with your stats....</p>

<p>have a good night</p>

<p>^What a disgusting comment.</p>

<p>True, the OP does lack "passionate" ECs and comes off as someone who spreads his or herself a bit too thin in focus. But no one in this case can say "won't get in" with anymore justification compared to a "will get in," because there's just no way of knowing. Period.</p>

<p>ACT scores seem fine from where I'm standing. I personally see people who retake 32-33's and 2270-2300's as people who are too test focused and has that money to spend on nothing better than tests. Just MO.</p>

<p>Craft your essays into some focus so that adcoms can get a picture of someone who has dedication and a "drive" rather than an individual hungry for an ivy. </p>

<p>And for the love of god, if you're going to capitalize something spell it right--it's DEFINITELY.</p>

<p>Britta, what you need is a strategy. Your rank, scores, and grades are will get your foot in the door. You will need your essays, ECs and recommendations to get you into a selective college.</p>

<p>First, I would plan to apply to UMich early. They have rolling admissions and will let you know if you are accepted within weeks of receiving your application. If you get in you can use UMich as your ace in the hole and then take more chances on your other choices. If you don’t get in to UMich you can recalibrate your list to include more safeties. I would say that you are a reasonably safe candidate for Michigan State. For UMich I think it depends on how other kids from your high school have fared in past years.</p>

<p>Second, you need to focus on those ECs and try to put some oomph! behind them. Music, sports, community service can all be excellent ECs but you have to demonstrate commitment and achievement. Do you have any further hooks – minority status, low income family, first generation to go to college, special talent? </p>

<p>Third, spend some time understanding how financial aid works. Will your family qualify for need based aid? If yes, then you’ll have a wide range of options. If, on the other hand, you’ll need merit aid to supplement your finances then you’ll have to find colleges that offer merit based aid. The ivies and most highly selective colleges are generous with need based aid, but do not offer merit.</p>

<p>Fourth, if Columbia is your “ideal” use that as a starting point and research and develop a list of schools that are similar but less selective. Think about what it is that attracts you to Columbia then find other colleges that share the same characteristics. Barnard (assuming you are female) is an obvious choice. There are many, many others but I wouldn’t be able to recommend any without knowing more about what YOU want.</p>