I’m hoping to get into Washu as a legacy, but it’s a bit of a reach for me. I’m entering my junior year.
Gpa: unweighted 4.0, with reasonably high level classes. I will take a total of 5-6 ap classes, and the rest are honors (exception of accel level math and some prep level electives)
ACT/SAT: 1230 on the PSAT (which is out of 1400 I think). I am confident I can get at least a 30 on the ACT, probably higher. Nearly all my wrong answers on the PSAT were no-calc math and some math, which I can improve at!
I have a decent amount of volunteer work, and very high involvement in theater (hundreds of hours).
I will major in biology, and I’m considering a minor in psychology or ethics. I want to get a master’s degree in genetics/genetic counseling.
I’m taking nearly every science offered at my high school except for AP Chem, astronomy, and some prep level elective sciences.
I’d like a school that isn’t super small where most students aren’t involved in Greek life. Super religious schools don’t interest me. I would consider schools outside of the U.S.
True safety? Temple would be a safety. Maybe American or U. of Richmond. Syracuse is probably pretty close to a safety for you, and your chances at Pitt are pretty good. Lehigh is more of a match. Same with Tulane. What state are you in? Most public flagships have excellent Biology programs.
Though you’d be more likely to find matches there than safeties, you can look to other schools within the UAA. URochester, for example, would be a top school for biology.
I don’t think #27 Richmond is a safety with a predicted 30 ACT; I think it would be a reach. My assumption is schools in the #60-80 ranking would be a safety.
I agree @Chembiodad, UR would still be a bit of a reach for a 30 ACT. UR’s average ACT last year was 32, and the 25-75%ile was 31-33, 25-75%ile SAT(new) was 1380-1500. Admit rate was 32%, down from 40% five years ago.
OP will need to pin down reaches/matches/safeties when real scores are available. Invest some more time in SAT/ACT practice. There are some good tips and strategies, along with helpful recommendations for workbooks for both general and targeted practice here on CC in the test prep forum.