Your extracurriculars are solid, but you’re right about the test scores. I know it sucks so much that test scores still matter so much in the admissions process. It definitely helps that you now what schools you’d apply to within the university. Totally play up the orchestra, viola and related achievements, anything helps! Be careful eight he divorce thing though. I’m sure it had an effect on you, but you don’t want admissions officers to think you’re still caught up in it. Maybe try discussing how you’ve grown as a person since then.
I think the only thing holding you back would be the SAT. If I were you I would use the remainder of summer to study my butt off and take it one last time in October before ED. If you raised it just 50 points, a 2100 sounds so much better. Colleges put big weight into the quantifiable and love reducing you to a number. It sucks, but you have to play the game to the best of your ability and impress with the biggest numbers possible.
Thanks! @mollyrmilli
@ivydreams411 I am planning on applying early action to Northeastern and Georgetown. NU will take any scores from November but Georgetown will not I believe, and unfortunately Georgetown requires 3 subject tests and the only ones I have are also very weak (630 Chem, 590 Bio, 550 World History). Should I take subject tests or the SATs in October? Whichever I don’t take in October I’ll take in November however Georgetown won’t look at that.
As of right now like a bunch of others are saying your only thing holding you back are your standardized test scores. If you can bring those up I think schools like Tufts and Georgetown are matches rather than low reaches and Upenn is just a reach for everyone! Also consider taking the ACT because then you don’t have to send subject tests for a lot of schools which helps to eliminate those weak SAT IIs. If you have time please chance me back on my thread! Thanks!
Northeastern: match
Georgetown: low reach
Tufts: low-mid reach
UPenn: reach
Brandeis: match
American: low match/safety?
Ithaca: not sure
SUNY Stony Brook: safety
Consider taking the ACT, and bring up your SAT!
Thanks! @turbosloth @mhg749