Really worried about my chances at top/B+ schools.. HELP!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I go to an average school in Queens, NY.. It isn't anything special.</p>

<p>Freshman year I had high grades in all my classes except math (which is one of my strengths), the teacher deflated my grade badly and counted participation more than anything else anyways. (Btw, all my math grades are horrible b/c I had this teacher for three years)</p>

<p>Sophomore year, I went completely downhill. I had a personal problem and I was just barely passing my classes (cause I was literally never at school).</p>

<p>I'm considered one of the smartest kids in school. I had a 210 on the PSATs (the average at my school is like 145 or something) and I expect really high grades on the SATs.</p>

<p>Junior year (current year), I have been improving except the math teacher is really a problem.</p>

<p>I know I will get great recommendations because my teachers love me as a person and believe that I am highly gifted in terms of intelligence.
They also understand that I did not have the challenge and rigor in my classes that I wanted. Gym grades are horrible, too.. But I workout outside of school (wish that was counted -_-)</p>

<p>Anyways, my overall high school GPA is currently 78. I have been improving and expect to raise the 78 to a 88-90 by the end of Junior year. I'm going to take SAT II's to show my intelligence in all subjects. </p>

<p>I have some good volunteering experience/extracurriculars..</p>

<p>Now, my question is, if I raise my GPA to a 88-90, have 700+ SAT II's, 2100+ on the SATs and good recs and extracurriculars.. Is it worth applying to NYU, Barnard, Cornell, Stony Brook, Adelphi, Rutgers, Sophie Davis?? </p>

<p>This is really eating away at me. I am smart and I can do amazing.. But I really need to now if I have a chance at these schools or if I am just not being realistic..</p>

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<p>NYU= reach
Cornell=high reach
I’m not quite familiar with any of the other ones, but it would help me if you listed your EC’s and sports.</p>

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<p>idk how you would raise a 78 to a 88 in one year… but if you could do it. i say would have a decent shot at nyu if u achieve the sat scores stated above.</p>

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<p>@arrozconleche</p>

<p>I researched for Supreme Court Justice from Bangladesh (he used my research/quotes in his lecture at Cornell University)
Volunteering for the UN Gift Box
Volunteering at a hospital
Clinical research program in the summer
Head of student Council
In the newspaper
Tutoring/editing essays for fellow students</p>

<p>I will also be entering an essay competition.</p>

<p>Hopefully, this will help me get in. Thanks for answering!</p>

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<p>@rodrigo9</p>

<p>I would basically have to get a 100 in every class (dont think I will, maybe high 90s) but if my calculations are right then I might be able to pull it off.</p>

<p>thanks a lot though!! this really made me feel a little more confident to keep trying!</p>

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<p>IF you are able to get to 88-90, I would say:</p>

<p>Cornell- reach
Nyu- low reach
Stony brook- match
Rutgers - safety</p>

<p>Not familiar with the others best of luck</p>

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<p>Also, try to get a recommendation from that Supreme Court justice, especially for Cornell. It will increase your chances especially if Cornell recognizes his name</p>

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<p>@slick908</p>

<p>thank you for the feedback! i’ll definitely contact him for a letter of rec when it’s time for the application process :)</p>

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<p>Apply to a state school if your not accepted, honestly your not as jacked up as I am lol… also what is your perspective major? It makes a difference. If your going into business at NYU it significantly drops your chances as they have no shortage of exemptional youths going into business there. If your going into a science or other less populous major you stand a better chance because they have quotas to meet to maximise there profits, so that in turn lets someone who would normally not be accepted be accepted to a school when they have too “scrape the bottom” (no offense meant) to meet quota.</p>

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<p>@ultimablade</p>

<p>Stony Brook is my #1 SUNY and a few others that I know I have a chance at.
I’m still thinking on what my major should be… either International Relations or Neuroscience (but it’ll definitely be either one of those)… Do you think it’ll make a difference?</p>

<p>and lol, how exactly are you jacked up? :O</p>

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<p>Have you done research on the schools that you listed? How do you know you will like then or be a good fit? Or you just picking prestigious ones?</p>

<p>I’d say you are not doomed for these schools if you work your butt off and develop a solid application with great essays, recs, etc. but I’d also say look into other schools as well. Do your research There are some terrific schools out there that are not Ivys, believe it or not. Many great state schools put a ton of weight on your SAT scores more so than grades, so you could be in the running for some hefty scholarships… Just a thought</p>

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<p>@Savannahstar</p>

<p>Oh I researched all the schools very thoroughly. As you can see, not all the schools that I listed are prestigious (alot of the replies didn’t even know of a few). the only reason why I’m trying for Cornell (only Ivy) is because my experience there in september at the lecture that I helped research for was absolutely AMAZING. I wanted to apply ED but I want to strength my app so I’ll just do regular decision.</p>

<p>thanks for info though!! :)</p>

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<p>Well I missed the whole seventh and eight grade but thats a a long story lol…</p>

<p>But anyway if you go in neuroscience you stand a much better chance at getting in a school (anything that has “science” or the like in it generally doesn’t have as many people, social science not withstanding) unless of course the school in question is one of the best science schools in the country. there are less people in international relations then are in business admin, so theres less people to choose from. I dont know much about SUNY but you stand a fairly good chance at getting in most schools if all goes as planned. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about it. I would say no reason to worry about something so far in the future, but im also stressing about my college in the next 2 years lol.</p>

<p>Your achievements are very good as well. Most schools would love to have someone with that list of achievements as there student.</p>

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<p>please check my thread out and chance me ill chance back</p>

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<p>Honestly, my advice would be to apply ed to Cornell because the difference in acceptance rate is nearly 15%, which I think is one of the highest. They really like you to show interest. As you add stuff to your application, send them to Cornell, which further show that your really like them.</p>