<p>GPA: 3.80 UW
SAT: 2380
ECs: crapload of SGA stuff, music, Boy Scouts, other assorted leadership positions</p>
<p>Anything else that should be given consideration?</p>
<p>Looking to major in finance and get on Wall Street
(really wanted to go to Wharton, but I've given up on that...)</p>
<p>aim for wharton early decision. you have a good shot :)</p>
<p>I know a lot of CCers are eternal optimists, but really, I just want to be realistic. I am far too average and won’t stand out at all from the Wharton crowd.</p>
<p>Do I have a chance at Stern?</p>
<p>how competitive is your courseload? how many APs? or are you an IBer?</p>
<p>I’ve taken 3 APs thus far,
Gov and Politics: 4
Comp Gov: 5
US Hist: 4</p>
<p>taking 5 APs this year, not looking too bright</p>
<p>Looking good there. ED??</p>
<p>I’m wavering on Stern ED and Wharton ED, but I think I’m leaning to Stern- what do you think?</p>
<p>Do Wharton ED and see what happens, you don’t want to regret anything. You’ll still be a very competitive applicant for Stern RD anyway.</p>
<p>I hate to play ED like a game, but I know Wharton would be a crapshoot. I’d much rather do Stern ED and increase my chances where I might have a chance to begin with. Does that make sense?</p>
<p>I suppose. Go where you feel most comfortable. Who cares about a difference in a spot or two in ranking. NYU’s top notch in finance and you’ll get tons of experience before you even graduate so, either way its a win win.</p>
<p>Thanks bimachris, I would absolutely be comfortable at either Stern or Wharton. But tying this back to my original question, do you think I have a chance at Stern? What should I improve on from now until application season?</p>
<p>I think you have great chances, especially with that SAT score. Have you taken your SAT IIs yet? If not, that’s something to focus on. Work your ass off the first two marking periods to bring up your GPA even more (though it’s plenty high already). Sit down and figure out which teachers will write you a stellar recommendation, and try to ask them before the school year ends or at least tell them you’ll be asking so they can keep all your accomplishments in mind (and don’t throw out your work in the class, as some teachers might need a little nudge to their memory). Also, start working on a general essay that you’ll be able to submit to most schools. Research schools extensively and make sure to visit them. When applications become available, download them and start working on them early. </p>
<p>And I think you should apply to Wharton. Maybe not ED, but definitely RD.</p>
<p>Go Stern ED, with Wharton you’re probably a reject, but I can still see them taking you without a hook. ( Legacy, URM…)</p>
<p>You got a great chance at Stern man, don’t worry! Just do something productive over the summer like taking college classes for credit, job, summer program, volunteer, anything. There’ll be a question that asks you what you did over the summer on the application and they like seeing productivity.</p>
<p>Apply to Wharton ED. Go for it.</p>
<p>You would probably get in Stern RD if Wharton doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>I would definitely apply for Wharton ED. You’re very close to being a shoo-in to Stern for RD, depending on what your junior year grades are. Applying RD to Stern would also get you a better financial aid package, so it’s really win win win here.</p>
<p>Okay, heres what you should do. ED Wharton and for RD have these schools ready:</p>
<p>1-Harvard
2-MIT
3-UChicago
4-Northwestern
5-Princeton
6-Columbia
7-Duke
8-Johns Hopkins
9-NYU
10-AU (safety)</p>
<p>Look at this way, your bound to get into some school. If you get into Wharton ED then whoopty-f***ing-Doo, right? If not, you’ll have a myriad of schools to look forward to. Like others said, its a win win win win win win win situation, really.</p>
<p>Hey thanks for the wealth of comments.</p>
<p>bimachris: I think I’ll take up your advice and take an introductory finance class at my community college. It looks fun and should be interesting at the very least. Is there anything else I could do that would help? I’m looking to do some research/work with someone at a financial institute or university but it seems like the only kids that do that or get an internship have connections…</p>
<p>Lobzz: I appreciate the list, but those schools are almost entirely unrealistic for me. I’m looking at more probable options like CMU, UVA, Northwestern, UMich, Emory, WashU, and maybe Georgetown or Cornell.</p>
<p>Lobzz, I’m really wary of this statement: “you’re bound to get into some school” too. I’ve seen so many kids rejected from almost every school they applied to, save (lol) for safeties.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess thats partially true. But keep in mind the OP has a score near the 2400 and 3.8 GPA, I DOUBT he’ll get denied everywhere. It just doesnt happen. The people who get denied everywhere are usually very good but mehhh applicants, who’ve decided to apply to the top 15 schools. soooo… CMU, Gtown, and Umich are amazing options as well, forgot to mention them.</p>