<p>Hello, I've been a lurker on these forums for a couple of months now. I'm having difficulties finding colleges that are in my range and that I would like to attend. I'm currently finishing up my Junior year at a mostly hispanic private school in Chicago. My cummulative GPA right now is between 3.0-3.1 out of a 4.0 scale (is going up). I;m leaning towards studying pre-med, business, or law. Am also interested in the sciences and literature.</p>
<p>My ACT scores are as follows: Enlgish 23, Math 23, Reading 22, Science 18 (ouch!), Writing 8, Compostie = 22). I'm not the greatest test taker and I didn't study much for this test, will retake/study though.</p>
<p>My ECs: 2 years School Ambassador, 1 year Faith & Justice Group, and by the end of senior year I should have about 100-150 hours of community service hours. I ran for Student Council this past year but didn't make it, thinking about running again but I see no use. I don't have many ECs because throughtout high school, afterschool I usually head home to take care of my smaller sibling while my mother attends school (will incorporate this in college apps). I am very commited and motivated to the clubs I am in. </p>
<p>I dont know if this would be consider an EC (is it?) but my school has a work-study program. Freshman year I worked as an intern at Gardner, Carton, & Douglas law firm in downtown Chicago. Sophomore and Junior year I worked at Mesirow Financial in downtown Chicago as well. We work one day of the week for 8 hours throught the school year (once a month we work 2 days in a week).</p>
<p>The classes I've taken at school aren't the most rigorous (since everyone gets the same classes each year) and there is no "honors" or "AP" classes. Well, except our Spanish class, for which we did take the AP exam this past...April?</p>
<p>There are some things I'm leaving out but I can't remember at the time. I know my stats aren't as great as others I've seen in here but they are what they are. I guess it might help that I'm a URM ? Ask any questions you might have. </p>
<p>Any help will be appreciated, thanks!</p>
<p>its hard to name places without knowing more than just EC's and that we dont know any classes you are taking since there are no honors or ap's in your school. Also, you said you are interested in pre-med/business/ law...thats a pretty big range of stuff. Also, what are you planning on majoring in (which of your interests is your top priority) and what type of school you are looking for (city,town, location...) Sorry i wasnt much help but i need to know more before i can suggest anything.</p>
<p>Classes I've had are mediocre at best. Freshman: Algebra I, English I (? not sure how english classes are numbered or classified), Keyboarding, Gym, Art History, and Biology. Sophomore: Algebra II, Art History, Global Issues, English II (?), Health. Junior: Geometry, American Literature, Chemistry, Spanish, Spanish History, Civics. All three years include religion classes such as the hebrew scriptures, the new testament, and church history. I don't know much about what senior classes are going to look like, except maybe Calculus, Physics, Ethics, British Literature, and Anatomy.</p>
<p>I'm looking to major in either Biological/Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Psychology, or perhaps Business. School locations and diversity aren't as important. I don't mind going out of state either.</p>
<p>sorry...but i have a couple more questions.....whats yoour rank in your school, is this a well known and competetive school, and what type of town do you live in. I am assuming this is a religious school (not that i know if it has anything to do with your chances at places you apply).</p>
<p>It's alright. I do not know my school rank, but will find that out, I'm sure I am in the top 15-20%. This is not as much a competetive school but it is well known in the Chicago area. My school is not known for its academics but rather the work-study program. Just for reference, the school that I attend is Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. The type of town the school is at is a highly populated mexican area. I don't live close to the school so I take about 2 buses to get there. Feel free to ask anymore questions.</p>
<p>i'm just making an estimate on what i know from your info so far....i think you should try to apply to your state school or other places you could try are BU or maybe GW for undergrad if you raise you ACT score, which u said you were retaking and studying for. Also consider some SAT II's for like spanish or something and take the ap test for spanish (even though you didnt take it, i am assuming that you may have a lot of knowledge on it already) Since you want premed, take sat II's for bio and chem (maybe study on your own over the summer or something). i'll think of more schools and get back to you.</p>
<p>I will be retaking the ACT in Sep. and I did take the AP Spanish test this past April. Will the SAT IIs give me a better chance of getting into a "better" university/college? Or how can I use these towards my advantage? Thanks for the advice Studyhard! I aprreciate it.</p>
<p>well a lot of the "good" colleges recommend taking the sat II's so it is definately a good idea to take them. Especially CHEM and/or BIO for med. Those two are important so i highly recommend studying for them and taking them. Also, what do you expect to get on your ACT, or better yet, whats your goal. Since you have all summer, i suggest studying like crazy to get like maybe 30/31. That would be a good solid score.</p>
<p>Will study for the ACT and I hope to get a much higher score> I will also try and study for the CHEM and Bio. Thanks! anybody else have some suggestions or advice?</p>