<p>I'm a junior. Black, male, first-gen status. I also reside in VA. I had some issues as a freshman so I'm a bit worried about the application process. So I need some expert advice on my chances.
Freshman Year: 2.75 GPA 3 Unweighted Honors Courses(Algebra I, Geometry,World History I)
Sophomore Year: 3.57 GPA 2 Unweighted Honors Courses(Algebra II,World History II)
Junior Year(Last Year): 3.4 GPA 3 Weighted AP Courses (AP English Language, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics) 2 Unweighted Honors Courses (Precalculus Honors, Physics Honors)
Senior Schedule: AP Calculus BC, AP Biology, AP Literature, AP Government, Spanish 4, Business Management, Business Law
My cumulative GPA when I apply will be 3.3 unweighted</p>
<p>EC's: National Business Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America (Vice President), Science Honor Society, Freshman Basketball (Captain), JV Basketball (Co-Captain), Winter Varsity Track & Field, Spring Varsity Track & Field, DECA, Junior Math Team, Senior Math Team, AAU Basketball, Travel Soccer. Teach Kindergarten Sunday School every week. Volunteer at local library. I will probably gain more leadership positions as a Senior.
I have excellent recs from my Chemistry teacher who had a PhD and my counselor. My counselor talk about my improvements from freshman year.</p>
<p>SAT's: 2020 Math:710, WR:700, CR:610. I still have to take Math Level 2, and another subject test. Also I'm taking the SAT again trying to get closer to 2100.</p>
<p>I've been feeling really depressed about my chances anywhere lately so I need a suggested list. I would like to either stay in Virginia or at least the east coast. Looking to major in business. Please suggest matches, safties and reaches. Thanks all.</p>
<p>have you looked into local schools? In-state public schools are definitely good safeties. Look for schools with guaranteed admission; meet the stats and you've got a guaranteed school. </p>
<p>I'm not from VA so I really don't know of particular local schools. Assuming you took the APs for your AP classes, what did you get? At least in my mind, a 4 or 5 in an AP exam heavily softens a B or C in the class. Conversely, taking an AP class without the corresponding AP <em>may</em> look fishy.</p>
<p>Your GPA is pretty low right now, so that might make it hard. Yeah, I suggest you raise your SAT score higher, maybe even 2150 if you can to balance it out. Your ECs are quite good though and first gen will help.</p>
<p>You could try for University of Virginia, Boston U, Northeastern U, American U, Virginia State U, Howard U etc. Most of their acceptance rates range from 35 - 60 %, so you probably have a pretty fair chance (I'd say most of these are matches). </p>
<p>Schools that don't focus as much on testing are Sarah Lawrence (match) and Bowdoin (this would be a reach).</p>
<p>JMU and Virginia Tech are BOTH wonderful schools, lots of fun, and would ENHANCE your strengths. I think they are staring you in the face and all you need to do is visit them to see what I am saying. I know SEVERAL people at BOTH who are there and thriving.</p>
<p>Our state flagship does not factor in Freshman grades. Does yours? If not, that will help the GPA quite a bit.</p>
<p>Otherwise, were there outside issues that contributed to your lower grades freshman year? Or was is it a maturity issue? Either way, whatever was going on that year or that you subsequently turned around could be part of your essays. I say "part" because you don't want to write an "excuse" essay.</p>