<p>Hello guys, I want your ideas of my chances of getting into the colleges that I want. I am a junior right now. I was born in Somalia so I think I'm an urm plus I have 6 siblings, a part-time job, and I'm the second oldest of a first-generation family. My WGPA is 4.2, taking 4 APs, 1 honors and some electives. ECs include Key club VP, Model United Nations and I'm an award winning delegate, Sadd VP, ASB Governor, Link Crew Leader, Red Cross Historian. I got a 5 on the AP World Test last year. I played basketball last year if it matters. I have accumulated a 100-200+ hours of community service and intend to get more. I haven't taken the sat yet but I expect something in the 2000s region. what are my chances with schools like Stanford, Columbia, Duke, NYU, UCSB, UCLA, Cal, and UCSD? Thanks and any advice would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Get the SAT blue book (it has 10 practice tests) and drill SAT techniques. If you can get to a 2200+, you’ll have a great shot at all of the schools you are applying to. Are you in CA? </p>
<p>Stanford - low reach
Columbia - low reach
Duke - low reach
NYU - match
UCSB - match
UCLA - high match
Cal - low reach
UCSD - high match</p>
<p>I’d do Stanford SCEA if it’s your top choice, and you have a pretty high SAT by then. Your personal story will make you a highly desirable candidate. </p>
<p><a href=“PREDICT ME!! (A Game -- Will CHANCE BACK) - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1603030-predict-me-a-game-will-chance-back-p1.html</a></p>
<p>UCSB, UCLA, and UCSD are easy matches, while NYU may soon join that group by the time you get to your Senior year. Your ECs are good, but not outstanding. They are well above average, but that isn’t going wow the Ivies and other schools of the same prestige. Your community service hours contribute a lot, so I say keep on doing that. Not sure about your UW GPA, but I would say it’s solid. SAT, you may want to aim for a little higher. Get in the 2200s, at least. Your AP stats aren’t great, though. From the info, you have had 4 AP classes but only one test. You may want to take a few more tests and at least 3 more APs next year. </p>
<p>Overall, you’re solid. I would recommend looking at some other schools as well (Let UCSB and UCSD be safeties, perhaps one more safety, then have choose a few others to be mid-range schools along with UCLA. Then compile a list of the reach schools such as many you listed and I suggest UCB.) From your list of schools, I’m assuming you live in California. Don’t focus too much on Ivies and UCs. UCs aren’t too great, with the exception of UCB and everyone is aiming for the Ivies, so focus on it as much as any other would. Move your focus onto either a liberal arts school or a college for your interest. These are mid-range schools that can be reaches or matches. Once you take a deep look at them, you’ll love some. I did. </p>
<p>Lastly, the fact that you have a part-time job, are a first generation, and immigrated helps a lot. Focus on these experiences in your essay. Did you find it hard to fit in? Did you find it hard to balance jobs and school work? What have you learned? Good luck!</p>
<p>Chance me?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1613118-chances-for-brown-u-of-rochester-amherst-and-u-of-michigan-ann-arbor.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1613118-chances-for-brown-u-of-rochester-amherst-and-u-of-michigan-ann-arbor.html#latest</a></p>
<p>To clarify I took one AP last year and got a 5. i’m taking 4 APs this year and intend to take 6 APs next year</p>
<p>How old were you when you moved to America and what is your financial situation (current income)? I believe these are important questions when assessing your story. It may not help you very much if you were very young when you came here and/or you are wealthy (although I’m not assuming you are, considering you’re first-gen for college). But anyways, your stats are pretty average for the top schools. I hope you’re taking the most rigorous courses that your school provides, because that’s a big thing in admissions at top colleges. Your ECs are alright, but not outstanding. nothing I see as “an excellent EC.” You need a pretty great score to be qualified for Stanford and similar schools. 2000 is pretty low, you’d most likely want 2200+. I do believe you have pretty good chances and that it’s possible to get into top schools, so applying to more top schools would not be that bad of an idea (if you can afford it). What’s your desired major? I suggest you do some research on all of the schools you’d like to apply to and make a list ranking your top schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks @BBanks. I came here when i was seven years old and my family’s income is basically 0 consisting mostly of SSI. It’s mostly because my mother is single and raising all 7 of us on her own.</p>
<p>Stanford - reach
Columbia - reach
Duke - reach
NYU - match
And I am not familiar enough with the California schools to comment.
Your GPA is good and if you get 2200+ your SAT will be fine</p>