Suggestions for sophomore?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, I am a sophomore trying to see what I can do in the coming years to improve my profile for selective colleges. Here is what I have so far.</p>

<p>Black male, aged 16, from New Jersey, attending Andover.</p>

<p>GPA: 5.5 / 6.0 (cumulative, unweighted for sophomore year)</p>

<p>PSAT: CR 80, Math 63, Writing 80 (223 total)</p>

<p>Rank: school does not rank, probably abt top quartile
Intended APs: US History, Spanish, MAYBE Calc AB
Intended SAT IIs: Chem, Math II, Physics, Psych, Spanish</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Mock Trial, Democrats Club, GSA, Black-Latino Society, a cappella group, piano lessons (2 years), plays viola (7 years)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Community service: Around 70 hours so far (Recently: Obama for America, Elizabeth Warren for Senate, Local church, elementary school).</p>

<p>Summer Activities: Last summer: public policy program in DC, study abroad at Cambridge, this summer: Language immersion/study in Spain, then a summer job</p>

<p>State: NJ
School Type: Private boarding co-ed
Ethnicity: African American
Hooks: URM, Andover (is this a hook?)</p>

<p>Strengths: Leadership
Weaknesses: not sure yet... </p>

<p>I'm in love with Columbia. NYU, Princeton, and GWU also have caught my eye. Do I stand a chance? I know its hard to tell since I'm still a sophomore but any and all input is appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Columbia: Low reach
Princeton: Reach (at least it’s reachable; best to do SCEA there)
NYU: Low match
GWU: Match (beware the Tufts Syndrome)</p>

3

<p>Awesome PSAT score, keep practicing and you will more than likely get a 2250 or even 2300 on the SAT.</p>

<p>Your AP Work load could be SLIGHTLY more, but do not push it, only do as much as you can handle. How many APs do you plan to take Junior year?</p>

<p>Also you have a great list of clubs, how about you now try to maybe get a small leadership role in those clubs? Leadership looks great on a resume and will really make you stand out. Wait scratch that, I just saw you put “Leadership” as one of your strengths so I’m assuming you are President of like a club or something.</p>

<p>Andover, I believe, is a pretty rigorous school. So if you have a decent/good class rank, it’ll help you. :)</p>

<p>You are definitely on the right path.</p>

<p>Columbia: Low Reach (better chance with Early Decision)
Princeton: Reach
NYU: Match
GWU: Match</p>

4

<p>Thanks! To clarify, I am on an officer in mock trial, Black-Latino society, and Democrats Club.</p>

5

<p>Not tryna be racist, but being black is a bonus. Your profile looks great. Get that match SAT up just to show you can do it all.</p>

6

<p>Math SAT*
Correction ^</p>