I was considering applying to University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Princeton, or Georgetown (not an Ivy). Should I even bother? I have vast community service participation - started a new school club as a sophomore, raised thousands of dollars for a cause I am passionate about, and volunteered nearly 800 hours in the community. I’ve won grants, numerous awards, and scholarships and am ranked third in my class. However, my test scores are not strong - a 29 composite with a low 24 in science and a 1280 (old SAT critical reading + math). I have strong AP scores - 5s and 4s. The only hook I can think of would be growing up in a single-parent household. When opportunities have been out of reach, I have worked to find alternative experiences and have been successful in doing so. I love to learn and genuinely care about making the world a better place. I don’t know if it is worth applying to at least one of these most selective reach schools. Any suggestions? Please help!
I say apply. Your profile is amazing and your passion really shines through, and colleges really like to see someone who makes a difference. I think you have a really solid shot, and besides, test scores are becoming more and more obsolete as the years pass. Don’t limit yourself before you even try. Give yourself that opportunity to go to those schools.
I say apply as well. Top universities only look at test scores as a measure of who you are - if you have strong extracurriculars and you show a strong academic background, apply by all means! It sounds like you are a passionate and driven person.
GPA? I assume it is high if you are 3d in your class unless the class is very small. I will be interested in seeing what some of the more experienced folks here at CC have to say. I would not place a lot of weight on the opinions of a couple of brand new members. You do not really provide enough information to allow anyone to give a realistic opinion. Your post suggests that you might be able to write an excellent essay, but that is only part of the story. You sound like a very nice person, but you need much better test scores to aspire to the schools you mention.
You should apply cause you never know unless you try. However, since there will be applicants with higher scores than you for all of these schools, maybe only try for a couple if the application fee is a problem. If not, just try for them all it doesn’t hurt
Good luck!!!
Would you mind chancing me back? Thanks 
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1946256-chance-me-for-brown.html
Thank you, I appreciate your feedback. Where I may be lacking on details: I play two varsity sports (all 4 years) and have research experience at two universities. I have competed in academic competitions since 9th grade, chair a school cabinet, volunteer at a summer camp, and work part-time. My favorite activity is leading the school club I created and other fund I have started outside of school. I have reached the semi-finalist level for 4 prestigious scholarship programs at the moment and am waiting to hear back from others. I have taken 13 APs (i.e. Calc AB and BC, Phys.1, Bio, etc.) 3/315 and a 5.25W, 4.0 Unweighted.