<p>Currently: a junior
GPA: 3.5 (striving to bring that to a 3.7 this year, I'm certain I'll do it)
SAT: 2350
ACT: 31
Significant courses: IB Math HL, IB Spanish SL, IB Economics HL, IB Literature HL, IB History HL, Honors physics, IB Environmental Sciences, Theory of Knowledge (an extra course required for the IB diploma)
* All IB courses are two-year except for IB Environmental Sciences, which I'll take senior year only. </p>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>School newspaper: section editor, 2 years
Yearbook: section editor, 2 years
DECA (a business marketing competition club): 2nd place regionals and 4th place states in 2009, 1st place regionals in 2010 -- states hasn't happened yet
Community school: 8 years being class president
FBLA: 4th place regionals in 2008
Amnesty International: cluster leader
Literature Magazine: editor-in-chief
I'm really into drawing and have won several state and regional awards. </p>
<p>What I think my weaknesses are:
- my GPA
- my lack of top leadership positions (I'm always second-in-command or lower, but still a leader)
- my complete lack of athletic abilities</p>
<p>About my high school: it's super competitive. I'm probably in the bottom 50%, but our school does NOT rank us.</p>
<p>My schools:</p>
<p>NYU (top choice)
Boston University (top choice)
UChicago (stretch school)
Bentley University (second choice)</p>
<p>Please let me know if there are a couple more accessible second-tier schools, I'd definitely check them out.</p>
<p>Your SAT score will help you a ton, that’s a very nice boost to your application. As for your GPA…it depends how your School Profile is. Because colleges won’t get your rank, they will only see the GPA distribution in your School Profile. Who is to say that a 3.5 isn’t a high GPA for your school?</p>
<p>I’d ask your College Counselor for a copy of the School Profile and then ask yourself how a 3.5 would look in terms of the information provided on that sheet.</p>
<p>Aside from the GPA, you have a good chance at BU, Bentley, and NYU. Your GPA is fairly low for UChicago, but (as I said) it depends how it looks in the context of your school.</p>
<p>Also, if there are any circumstances that explain your low GPA, that would probably be smart to include.</p>
<p>I think you have a really great shot at NYU unless you’re applying to Stern… then it’s a low reach. You’re definitely in BU and Bentley (but still try to bring up the GPA). U Chicago is a low reach but you still have a shot. Your SAT score will help you A TON. As for extracurriculars, it seems like you’re pretty on track. You’re editor of the newspaper and a magazine so I think that’s sufficient for leadership. Remember: quality not quantity!</p>
<p>I think you’re really on track! If you CAN raise your GPA to 3.7, you’re pretty much a perfect applicant. Your SAT scores are amazing and don’t sweat the ECs. You have plenty; if a college doesn’t want you, it’s their loss.</p>
<p>NYU - match
Boston University - accepted
UChicago - reach
Bentley University - definitely accepted</p>
<p>Check to see if you school has Naviance. The software has scattergram histories of applicants specific to your school.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about the lack of athletics. At my D’s school most of the athletes and musicians are in totally separate groups. You have great scores, course load and ecs.
A lot of schools will want you to bring up their SAT stats.</p>