Need a reality check...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Ok, about to go into my junior year as a dual-campus public school student, I am intensifying the college search I have been pursuing for the past two years. This search, however, has made me realize that while I am going well I am not at the pinnacle that I once imagined myself to be at....Knowing myself well enough to realize I am a perfectionist means that if I am not going to be going to the best schools, I need to know it now and reclassify what I should be looking for....can someone plz just offer some suggestions on where to look...</p>

<p>GPA-4.13 at the beginning of this year (on excelled scale), but have made all<br>
As since then
Rank- 12th but I know for a fact I have moved up at least a little</p>

<p>9th- Biology PAP, Algebra II PAP, Scientific Research and Design, English I PAP, Symphony Orchestra, Debate, World Geography PAP</p>

<p>10th- Chemistry PAP, Pre-Calculus PAP, Health Science and Technologies, English II PAP, Symphony Orchestra, French I, World History AP</p>

<p>11th-Chemistry AP, Calculus AB AP, English III AP, US History AP, Physics PAP, French II, PE, Symphony Orchestra</p>

<p>(tentative)
12th-AP Physics, Calculus BC AP, Statistics AP, English IV AP, Govt/Econ AP, Symphony Orchestra, PE, AP Psychology</p>

<p>PSAT- 1490
ACT- don't know yet</p>

<p>103 hours of community service
Secretary (9th), Treasurer (10th), Vice President (11th), hopefully President<br>
(12th) of the orchestra
State Solo and Ensemble 9th and 10th
State UIL (Ready Writing) 10th
Regional UIL (Debate)- 9th
member of Academy of Science and Health Professions
4 internships and 8 medical rotations by the time I graduate</p>

<p>Desired major(s)/ career interest- Public Policy, Criminal Law (I know it doesn't exactly match the Academy/health fix my schedule leans towards, but there is a reason for that which i won't get into now...)</p>

<p>Ok, i think i am leaving something crucial out, but all of u get the gist of where I am coming from....like i said, i know it is better than most but i just haven't read anything that suggests its the top of the pack.....so, where do u think i am?? and what colleges would be a good choice?</p>

2

<p>You've worked hard, and if you can pull SAT's and II's in line with your PSAT's you can certainly apply to the lottery ticket schools. As you realize already, it's a bad idea to fixate on these schools. If you like G'town (which seems to have gotten hot lately), for example, pair it with GWU or Brandeis, where you would be a very good candidate. </p>

<p>As for the schools that reject 9 out of 10 candidates (or more, if you need finaid), you will have to decide if it is personally worth it to take the time to apply. If you will be kicking yourself years from now for not trying, by all means apply. Just make sure that you have a sure bet in your list, and at least 2-3 schools with reasonable admissions rates (>35%) in your mix.</p>

3

<p>Looking at how others from your high school fared in the past year or 2 with similar stats will be most helpful.</p>

<p>An SAT at the same level of your PSAT will make your stats average at the very top schools. Unless you are a URM, legacy or athlete, you should apply widely if you're aiming at those schools. I also see nothing uncommon in your ECs, meaning the real lottery schools will be an uphill battle.</p>

<p>If you tell us what school's you have in mind, we can be of more help.
Also helpful would be where you're from, race and income range.</p>

4

<p>Zagat, I would love to look at other similar ppl but except for a choice few everyone in my school either stays in community colleges, or 'stretches their borders' by going to UofH or A&M for the high rollers...i can't remember the last person who even tried to apply to a high-name college out-of-state (which is what I am interested in) if there ever was one (our high school is fairly new)
As far as the other questions, I am from a very small East Texas town, am white, and definitely rank in low income. I wish I could tell you what school I am interested in, but recently my list came crashing down on me as unrealistic and that is why I am trying to start over by posting this thread...
Any help based on all of this would be, of course, much appreciated...</p>

5

<p>Take a good look at Smith, Mt Holyoke, and Wellesley. With your stats, they offer a very good chance of admisssion and an excellent education. PM my daughter, lindseylujh on this site, for her views on applying to top schools. She can help.</p>

6

<p>You have great grades and a strong PSAT coming from a low income school that doesn't send many to top colleges. I think you have a shot anywhere with good recs and a strong application. Have pleanty of matches and safeties but shoot for a couple of very top schools. You never know.</p>

7

<p>4 internships and 8 medical rotations by the time I graduate. That's great. Expand on that. :)</p>

<p>But yes....standardized tests are low, even if you are from low income school...I don't think that can totally excuse you if you have such stellar grades and involvement, PLUS, all you really need to do is go buy a book. (also that does kind of discredit GPA...don't know how this factors in though). Low-income will only take you so far.</p>

<p>I'd try the Ivies, but have back-ups.</p>

8

<p>well, ok here is another question....is it better to be well-rounded or obviously centered on ONE thing??? and what sort of score do u think should be my goal of the SAT in conjunction with my current stats?</p>

9

<p>hey question: when you say "PSAT- 1490". Isnt that out of 2400? Because PSATs are out of 240 because I find it odd that many people here are saying it's a strong score when it's below average.</p>

10

<p>oh i should have specified....it is 1490 out of 1600....i don't remember for sure but i think it was 2230/ 2400 when u include the writing portion</p>