I’m applying to quite a few schools, so I would like to know if applying to an Ivy is completely out of reach. My GPA is low but I’m wondering, since the review is holistic, if my other stats can compensate?
Currently in community college hoping to transfer…
Major: Economics
GPA: 3.71
SAT: (Not yet taken)
EC:
President of Student Government
Fundraising Coordinator of AGS (California community college honor society)
Blood Drive Coordinator AGS
Public Tutor for Economics/Anthropology/Statistics (I work at my school)
Staff member of campus-published literary journal
Published creative writer (school journal and small press magazines)
Status:
Low-income (below poverty line)
Hispanic/Asian (mixed) Female
Physically Disabled Parent (cannot work)
Essay:
I’m quite confident in my Essay writing skills…
My essay will likely focus on how the financial/socio-economic circumstances in my life drove me to understand economic language and practice in a way I could use to help myself and others who have less knowledge and opportunity to improve their quality of life.
LOR:
Expected to be very good, I have a couple teachers who know me very well and have worked very well in either their club or been very active in their classes.
Based on these stats, I know it’s not really the most impressive application but is it worth a shot in the dark? Also, based on the info, what SAT score do you think I should be aiming for?
Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to this 
You have good ecs and i think that the idea for your essay is great! GPA is a little low so i think you should aim for 1500 (or more, why not?), to improve your academics. I think you should for sure bother to apply to an ivy. Good luck! Maybe chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/2005601-how-can-i-have-an-actual-chance-please-enter.html#latest
Transfer admission rate is near 1% for most Ivies, much harder than admission as a freshman.
You did not take the SAT or ACT while in HS? Try some practice tests offered online and see if you prefer one test over the other. For your LOR, it should be a teacher who had you in class and if you were in their club that’s even better. Don’t submit a LOR from a teacher who only had you in their club unless it’s going to be able to demonstrate significant leadership on your part. You don’t want a LOR that just says you are a committed student and were of great assistance to the teacher with this club.
Your GPA is a little low and which courses you have taken resulting in the GPA will be considered such as whether they were freshman general studies or advance level courses. Something for you to consider is how hard was it for you to get that 3.7 in your courses. The rigor of an Ivy is going to be more challenging so be prepared for that.
Which ivy are you interested in applying to? When you consider the schools you want to apply to transfer to, make sure to take into account all aspects of the school, including location.
If you are planning to apply to 1 or 2 ivy schools and willing to make the time commitment, you have nothing to lose. Getting into an ivy is not going to happen for over 90% of the applicants to those schools. Give it a shot and if you are rejected keep in mind you are in good company.
Make sure to have a list of match schools as well. Good luck to you!