I go to a super small school that offers a few sports, and the only clubs are
Student council and class positions
(class prez, secretary, and treasurer) if those even count as clubs…I am going to be a sophomore and aspire to get out of a small town-my Graduating
class will be less than 50. I have a 4.0 my school offers no AP or Honors classes. I intend to play sports when I get a car to transport myself.
Family situation is compromised and I don’t like to bother anybody about
What I want and really want to work to accomplish things on my own. I will definitely need financial aid, but plan on
receiving money from both of my
Parents being deceased. Please tell
Me my chances I intend to get a
Perfect Score on ACT/SAT and would like Advice on if I need to take the SAT subject tests. Please help me with
My chances so I’m not being
Unrealistic and advice on what I can
do…whatever will get me there.
Thank you!!!
This is an interesting case. The lack of AP and Honors classes will definitely hurt you, but it doesn’t seem like you can do much about it. Here’s a tip. You can take AP classes online and teach yourself. It obviously isn’t as good as getting the in class teaching, but it would help immensely. Also, I wonder how you plan on getting a perfect ACT/SAT score if your school isn’t offering advanced math, English, and science classes. Have you taken any practice tests? I don’t know what else to tell you except to look into the online AP classes. If you make yourself stand out on applications, then you always have a shot. Just don’t get your hopes up for an Ivy, as very few do indeed get in. Also, you’re just a sophomore. Don’t get too worked up. You’ve got 3 years left! But I do appreciate someone who takes an interest into college search at an early age, as I did the same thing myself.
And yeah we have NHS that I hope to be in and a small band (like 10) that I was fed up with after playing in for 3 years of middle school. My school is 6-12 and the probably only has less than 300 in whole school
I intend to write a novel. That doesn’t make me an author! 
Come back when you have actually done this.
Intention and reality are 2 different things. Come back when you have your SAT/ACT scores and SAT subject tests.
@tigerrocks13 I am very diligent and spend a lot of time studying as it is difficult to relate to and have friends that are passionate about getting into a decent college especially when most come to school high…I use khan academy to study advanced math. About the AP classes…will I have to pay to be able to get credit and use them for applications? Which I am willing to do so I just don’t know how to go about it. Thanks you for taking the time to read this by the way
@bodangles I understand your point. But you don’t understand my determination. I have been told no my whole life and for the first ten years of it I believed I would end up working a corner. I created this thread to find out if it was even possible given my situation. I’d appreciate it if you give me the benefit of the doubt and do not mock me. I am in the process of writing a novel, too by the way
You sign up online. I don’t believe it costs anything to “sign up” for the class or “get credits.” Now you will have to pay $70 or so to take the AP exam at a local college, but that’s the price to pay if you want college credit for the college class. I assume you will also have to buy a textbook (my school offers most every AP so I haven’t taken an online class), but you could probably buy one used for not too much. As far as the friend issue, I completely understand your point. Just about every one of my friends end up going to the local university or small private schools in the region. Occasionally one will go to UF or UGA, but never to any top 25 schools. I try to get them motivated, but it doesn’t work hahaha. I relate to you very much.
@tigerrocks13 thank you very much. I will definitely look into the online AP classes.
It doesn’t matter how determined you are. Things happen. The ACT often jumps on perfect scorers anyway… Until you get the actual score, don’t say “I plan to…” or anything along those lines. Regardless, schools evaluate how successful you are in the context of your school and what they offer for you.If you take AP outside of school, then that sets you apart. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Ivies aren’t everything. You’re going to go somewhere great.
@michelle426 that does make sense. I guess it’s kind of like “don’t count your chickens before they hatch” kind of thing which I often tend to do so. I guess I should say more of “I am going to strive to do my best to be prepared (for the SAT/ACT)” I really appreciate your insight. Thank you.
@brijetz17 That’s the type of attitude you bring to every test. Just try your best. Good luck.
Actually…just kidding. After being on CC a few days, I feel like a minnow in a sea of sharks. I’ll never be able to match much less exceed all the other Ivy-hopefuls’ credentials. Looks like I should set my sights elsewhere. Like UofM. I live in michigan so it’s more convenient anyway. Not to mention several tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than Harvard. I still want to go to Harvard someday, maybe for Med school when I have more experience and credentials. Thanks to those who put up with my highly unrealistic dream and chanced me anyway. I appreciate it ;
Harvard and about 60 other colleges ‘meet 100% of need’. It never hurts to aim high. You need to aim high for Michigan too, which is of course of of the best colleges in the country. But you have to go above and beyond what is readily available to you at times. Be creative and make your own path. And be very prepared academically. You aren’t expected to have tons of AP when your school doesn’t offer then but you should look into dual enrollment and other ways to show you are challenging yourself academically. Perfect test scores are not needed and I find that a frivolous goal. But very high ones are critical for selective uni’s.
As of fall 2014, 62 colleges said they meet 100% of financial need. All of the Ivies are on that list as well as some of the best colleges in the country. Google for the list. As has been said, your lack of AP classes,while not your fault, is not good for you. You should try to get as high a score as possible on the SAT so that you can show you have learned.
Finally, and this is the comment I always give when someone wants to be chanced for all of the Ivy League schools…why? There are a lot of differences between them, and so while you might be a fit at one or two or three, you most assuredly would not be a fit at all of them. Do some research, and find the college that would be the best fit for you. Might be an Ivy League school, but it also might not be. Good luck.
@stepay thanks for your advice. I specifically really want to go to Harvard. As of now I want to go to med school and Harvard is the best in the country and top research facility. I wanted (want) to go there because it is the hardest school to get into. If I were to be accepted there, I could prove everybody that told me it wasn’t possible wrong. I said “or any Ivy” because i would get the same satisfaction from getting accepted to any of them, but Harvard is the most ideal. Everybody has told me I can’t because its too much money and only alumni’s children get in. I have done my research about the financial aid and admissions and know that it isn’t true.
But like I said, since my school doesn’t offer the things that other people who I would be competing with for an admission have, I have accepted the fact that it is nearly impossible for me to get in as an undergrad. Even if I were to get an exceptional score on the SAT, so do several other thousand students applying. I just know I can’t compete. But I will be happy at UofM which has a higher acceptance rate. I will be happy anywhere I suppose as long as I even get the opportunity to go to college. I will try to get into Harvard for Med school when I am more qualified.
Eh probably a reach
@isl4ndsurf3r I’m sorry I don’t understand what you mean. Could you explain?
Harvard is basically a reach for just about everyone. You still have not taken any SATs or SAT 2s. But even so, you do not have any unique ECs as well.
@isl4ndsurf3r oh, yeah. I know. That’s why I said I was going to wait to try for Grad school.