Not sure what to believe...?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a high school junior seeking admission to several top-tier colleges. As of my last report card, I have a 95.38 GPA (I’m taking two APs and one College Now course), and I scored a 1330 on my last SAT mock test. I’m taking the actual SAT on December 3rd, and from what I’ve heard from the college prep program I’m in, our mock exams are intentionally more challenging than the real deal, so I’m guessing a 1400 is plausible. (My strength is reading & writing- my score jumped b/c I pulled a 630 in math up from a 490 initially). Concerning my GPA, an 86 in AP Spanish and a 90 in APUSH dragged it down from the 97 I finished last year with, but my teachers in both those classes have told me my grade has gone up since the last marking period.

As for extracurricular activities, I’ve been writing for the Literary Magazine since freshman year, I’ve been on the bowling team since sophomore year, I joined my school’s new musical theater club this year (which has caused me nothing but pain and suffering so far, but I love performing and most of my friends are there, so I’ve still got high hopes for it), I plan to return to debate league (not affiliated w/ my school) once the SAT is over, and I’m auditioning for improvisational theater in the spring.

I usually think I’m in a pretty good place, until I hear about what other high school students are doing. I know a lot of students at my school with 96-98 averages, which I know I’m capable of having, but I don’t have it right now. A lot of other kids are doing volunteer work and starting their own clubs, and I’ve really done nothing compared to that.

The colleges at the top of my list (Yale, Columbia, Tulane, and BU to name a few) have really low admissions rates, A lot of my classmates aren’t even applying and going straight for CUNYs (we’re in NYC). Usually those aren’t the superstars with 99 averages, but at my school 50% of the students have what would be considered honor roll status, and so far no one I’ve asked has been like “yeah, I’m going to Yale!” We have very few Ivy League-bound seniors every year- I only heard of two last year and one the year before.

Also, I’m getting so many mixed messages. I brought my credentials to the college counselor at the prep program, and he said, “oh, you have a decent shot of getting into the Ivies!” I called my uncle (an engineer and Columbia alum) and he basically told me, “you can apply, but your chances of getting in are slim and your chances of getting a scholarship are almost zero. You can get a free ride to Howard or some CUNYs/SUNYs with your current standings, and you can still go to an Ivy for graduate school.” So I basically have no idea.

So, what do you all think? Am I overestimating, underestimating, or what?

2

Ok listen, the truth is, your SAT mark is below what is USUALLY needed to get into an ivy league. But I would also like to let you know that the admissions process is a very subjective process, and sometimes it’s a single small thing in your application that could tip things in your favor. Even though less than those with higher grades, people with your grades have made it before.

My advice is do the only thing you can do now, which is nail your essays and supplements, don’t let your hopes get too high since these schools are difficult for everyone, and wish for the best.

Good luck!

3

Hello, your gpa on a 4.0 scale should be 3.815 which is an outstanding gpa but Yale and Columbia seems like a reach to me. Your SAT scores is what’s weighing you down because universities like Yale and Columbia require a 1540-1600. On the bright side, you have a good shot at BU and Tulane since you have a great GPA and your SAT’s are also up to par. Also can I ask what major you are going for so I could recommend some colleges in your range?

4

@JAHSS2 Well, I’m a junior and it’s November and I haven’t taken the actual SAT yet, so these scores aren’t set in stone, I hope. Is it plausible for a 1330 to become a 1500+ after months of at-home prep? (I plan to take the SAT again in April and October.)

@Sidvas: Right now I’m looking at a major in journalism or political science, but I’m not entirely sure.

5

Try UTexas, Northwestern (though this is a reach), NYU, USC, GW University, UMichigan at ann arbor and maybe even Syracuse U. Hopefully you can get at a 1500 on the actual SAT and you will have an amazing chance of getting in :slight_smile:

6

Perhaps your uncle has a better understanding of your family’s finances? Ivy’s don’t give merit scholarships so he’s right on that count. If you haven’t had the money talk with your parents yet you might want to do that before you make your college list.

7

Hold on. “universities like Yale and Columbia require a 1540-1600” No, not a requirement. What you all have to understand is what these individual tippy top colleges actually look for. And, that the competition is so fierce that they can final pick kids with most of what they want to see who also happen to have top scores. It does little good to focus on stats and miss the rest.

For a hs reporting on a 100 pt scale, good chance an adcom will see the 95 gpa as an A equivalent. Fine. More a challenge is how one shows the right sorts of drives, engagements and thinking. As a possible poli sci major, did you do anything in this election year that shows how you got out there? In various activities, what shows a leadership style? (This is different than some hs leader titles…) Or leadership thinking? (That’s more than telling them or stating what lofty career you want.)

8

You have a chance, like everyone else does. With your lower SAT and lack of amazing ECs, I don’t think you have a super high chance as of right now. But you’re a junior- you have time and the desire to improve your application. I’m confident you’ll get your SAT up. Also, if you’re a URM (not to jump to conclusions, but you mentioned Howard, a HBU), your chances will be slightly stronger.

If you get in to an Ivy, you’ll get a scholarship based on financial need, not merit. I can’t say the same for other schools you’re interested in, but you can easily find that information online, or in other threads on CC.

People aren’t always honest about where they’re applying. I’m applying to several Ivy League schools, but I really try to stay vague when college comes up in discussion with my peers. One of my classmates went so far as to say she “forgot” where she applied EA, which I probably wouldn’t do as it sounds dumb, but you get my point. People don’t like rejection, but they fear public rejection even more. I actually think it’s wise to keep your ambitions close to your chest. If you get in to your dream school, great. If you don’t, you don’t have to tell people you didn’t.

9

Agree with your Uncle.

10

No one can say without actual SATs. Work on finding some schools that are more likely to be matches and safeties. Even with great test scores, those schools have very low acceptance rates. If you get in, gravy. But what you want to make sure of is that you have choices in spring of senior year.

11

i think you have a very good chance at Tulane and BU. you have a shot at the ivies, but given their acceptance rates it is impossible to know how good of a chance you have, only that there is one.