Hi! I’m a junior who just joined and started researching. I obviously have a bunch of safety schools I’m planning on applying to (Wisconsin, Maryland, Tulane, Syracuse, Ohio State, Penn State)
The list isn’t 100% because I still have some time, I would apply to Vandy ED and UMich EA if I become definite about Vanderbilt.
Just based on my stats- 34 ACT (36 English, 30 Math, 36 Reading, 34 Science)
and my current GPA as a junior: 3.97 UW/4.22 W
ALSO- Would it be beneficial to me to get the ACT up to a 35? I still have a few opportunities to take it, but getting that Math score up is extremely difficult for me.
What are my chances at reach/target schools: Vanderbilt, USC, UMich (OOS), Duke, UT Austin (OOS), UPenn, UMiami, other schools of this caliber…
I would be applying as a biology major most likely.
If you have the opportunity, definitely try to get that score as high as you can
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Tell me more about your high school and whether unweighted GPA means 1 A- and all A’s or do you have some other system. I am asking for Vanderbilt because I have a number of ED data points based on this year’s results.
If cost is a concern, then you need to add schools which award merit scholarships based solely on an applicant’s standardized test score & GPA. Examples are the University of Alabama & the University of Mississippi. Both will place you in their honors colleges.
P.S. Only retake the ACT if you are confident of a higher score. Better to stay with the 34 composite score which includes outstanding scores for English, Science, & Reading. Consider taking the SAT instead of retaking the ACT.
Hi! Thanks for the help! At my school, an A+ is a 4.0, A is 3.8, and A- is 3.6. So I believe it’s an A that brings it to a 3.97.
Hi! Thankfully cost is not so much of a concern with the safeties. Thank you so much for the info, I would definitely still look into those schools !
Just saw your PS- I actually did take the SAT once and got a 1410 (750 English reading / 660 Math). Didn’t study for it at all, was studying for the ACT and just decided to take it cold. I could sign up for another but not sure if it just wasn’t for me or maybe I had a rough test. Definitely something to consider. Thank you so much!
What is your course rigor like? All honors classes? How many APs/AP scores?
Will you graduate with 4 classes in each core area (E, M, sci, SS, FL)? What math class will you have senior year?
What state do you live in? Tulane is a probably a low reach (based on a sub 10% acceptance rate this year and yield mgmt tactics) and you definitely have to demonstrate interest.
Hi! My school has no honors, I took 3 APs as a sophomore and am taking 4 APs next year. I plan on taking 4 next year.
I will graduate with 4 classes in each core area definitely, and am taking AP calc AB next year.
I’m in the northeast
Based upon this year’s results, Vanderbilt would have been a very close call. Know a 3.9+, 34 reject, personally.
Syracuse, UMD, Syracuse, Ohio State and Penn State are all safe.
Wisconsin, Tulane, UT Austin, Miami - you should get into those, but note they have strange preferences toward ED’s at Miami and Tulane (so EA deferral could happen). These are “probably” but not safe.
Duke and Penn are similarly challenging to Vandy - so reaches. Michigan would be a lower level reach - more likely to go your way.
Thank you so much for the help- really appreciate it! What are your thoughts about UMich EA?
My son has very similar stats and got into UofM and UVA EA this year, still waiting on his private applications.
My son has similar stats except 35 ACT and was deferred at UVA. It could go either way. Tulane has a decently high acceptance rate for early rounds. It is their extremely low RD acceptance rate that drags it down. Apply everywhere you can early.
First of all, are we all talking about the same Tulane, here? Last year it had a 13% acceptance rate, and they are notoriously finicky about their yield rate and demonstrated interest. DEFINiTELY not safety material.
I think your stats are totally fine (don’t worry about a 34 vs a 35, that will not determine whether you get in or not). Your GPA is great, and your course rigor seems to be there.
I can’t chance you without looking at your EC’s and overall profile. You (and other commenters) seem to be implying that stats are the most important part of the app. But EC’s are a super integral part of the application (arguably the most important). Trust me, I applied this year with a relatively mediocre SAT (1440) and recently got a Pres. scholar app invite from Colby (~8% RD acceptance rate, this year will be lower), which basically doubles as a likely letter and an invite to their prestigious academic program (I think for them to appeal to top applicants). This isn’t to brag, but to prove a point. There were clearly people who had way better scores than me who didn’t get the email (or might not even get in). I believe it was because of my EC’s that I got this email. Do NOT underestimate EC’s and your overall “niche.”
I would be happy to give you more of an idea if you provide EC’s. Your stats are there. 
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Except if they superscore focusing on raising math (along with English the two easiest to raise because just need to know all the rules) would be a great idea. I wouldn’t do SAT. ACT seems like a good fit.
Tulane is maybe the nations best reason why admit rates have become silly. ED - in. EA -deferred (in if you are top 25%). RD - rejected. 13% - lol. If you play the game, Tulane is of similar admissions difficulty to a school that has a 33%+ admit rate. If you don’t play the game, you might as well be applying to an ivy.
Congratulations on Colby and your honor. That is impressive. Be aware, that Vanderbilt is ahead of its ski’s right now and the stats are off-the charts - and they reject from ED. Agree with you that without extras, we are just guessing, but the “pretend extras” on CC lately made a stats “chance me” quite refreshing.
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That is true. Tulane has just become ridiculous with their yield in efforts to lower their acceptance rates. However, I still would not mark it as a safety by any means, ESPECIALLY because their unpredictable admissions decisions.
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I agree with you on that. Some say very predictable though. Just apply ED.
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Not sure where you are getting your impressions, but the actual data do not confirm them. In the 2019-2020 CDS, Tulane had an ED acceptance rate of 33.3% and filled only 39.5% of their class from ED. So simply applying ED is not going to get you admitted.
Compare this to common overlap schools: Bucknell (63.6/44.9), UMiami (48.3/34.6), Villanova (56.5/33.5), Boston U (30.0/46.3) and Emory (22.5/51.2). Tulane is by no means an outlier.