My raw stats are pretty good, especially test scores:
2320 SAT, 1580 CR/M
34 ACT
I applied at #2 in my class, am now #1. 4.22 weighted GPA, only 2 A-'s in high school career, both freshmen year in non-academic courses (Art and PE.)
The problem is that I live in a rural Indiana community and have nothing else going for me. There are only 99 in my class, I’m a white male with no hardships, and I’m not even Catholic. My school offers three AP classes total, and I’m taking them all senior year so I can’t send those scores.
EC’s are pretty standard for a small high school, but lackluster compared to what most will be applying with.
Luckily I’m decent at tennis so at least I can say I was a captain for 3 years and varsity 4.
4 years varsity baseball, one year captain.
President of NHS at our school.
~200 community service hours the past two years, primarily as a volunteer youth basketball/baseball coach
National Merit Scholar semifinalist (finalist pending)
Went to a couple statewide conferences over the summer (Hoosier Boy’s State, HOBY Indiana)
Was on a committee to design digital citizenship curriculum for Indiana elementary schools.