Thoughts on my list...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am working on my college applications, but I am seriously doubting my chances at the schools to which I have been planning to apply. My SAT scores came back suprisingly lower than anticipated and I am not sure how to factor that in. Also, as a firstborn homeschool student whose parents did not go to college, I am kind of going this alone and figuring things out for myself. I could use some sort of guidance here. Help.</p>

<p>School Type: Homeschool
Location: California
Race/Gender: Caucasian
Prospective Major: Art History
Unweighted GPA: 3.?
Weighted GPA: 4.5
Class rank: 16/315</p>

<p>SAT I Scores
SAT I Math: 600
SAT I Critical Reading: 780
SAT I Writing: 690</p>

<p>SAT II Scores
SAT II Literature: ? (Not too worried about this.)
SAT II U.S. History: ? (This either.)
SAT II Math IIC: ?</p>

<p>ECs
Church volunteering (PowerPoint) - Jr./Sr. Years, 2 hr/wk.
Church volunteering (Creating/managing website) - Sr. Year, 4 hr/wk.
Teacher's Assistant - Sr. Year, 10 hr/wk.
I'm not sure how this counts, but I spend most of my free time studying and reading and researching, especially in the areas of art history and literature, which are my loves. As an EC, its totally abstract, though. </p>

<p>So...</p>

<p>I applied to University of Chicago EA. This is my top choice. I love so much about this school, but am afraid that it is totally out of my reach.</p>

<p>Next, I am planning to apply to UCLA and UC-Berkeley out of financial consideration. These are definitely not my top choices; I would ideally like to get out of California.</p>

<p>My other thoughts: Boston College, Tufts, Barnard.</p>

<p>Where else should I be looking? Safeties? Help?</p>

<p>Thanks. (And sorry that this turned out so incredibly long.)</p>

2

<p>I think you have a good chance at UChicago and at th eother schools you want to apply to. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>ur critical score in wayy above average for UChicago...but ur math score is a bit low... anyway, it balances out and i think u have a decent chance</p>

4

<p>"Katharos" is a first year at U. of C. and a home schooler. You might try PM-ing her.
Your CR is so high that I have to believe you could raise your Writing score with a little studying on the multiple choice, and you could likely get your Math score up, too. The fact that you were not expecting the scores you got makes me wonder whether you didn't take many practice tests at home. I think there is quite a lot of room for improvement and would retake, if I were you.
Colleges in general particularly rely on standardized tests with home schoolers.</p>

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<p>I don't have time to retake my tests before applications are due. So, how much is that going to hurt me?</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know anything about American University? I guess that I could use some safeties on my list. I don't know much about the school, but I like the idea of being in DC. Any thoughts?</p>

6

<p>For most schools you have both the December and January dates available.
You've got some time to research which schools have good art history programs. I'm not a good source of information, but I know Vassar is supposed to be very good.</p>

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<p>If you're looking at Barnard, add Wellesley. For safeties, you could also cosnider Bryn Mawr and Smith.</p>

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<p>I would really like to go to a school in an urban area. Any more ideas?</p>

<p>(Thanks for the help so far, by the way.)</p>

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<p>Boston University sounds like what you're looking for rather than Boston College- I know them both pretty well. I don't know how much money is a consideration, but urban schools at the level of B.U., NYU, etc. tend to be expensive and without financial aid programs the level of say the University of Chicago or Columbia.
I think you'd get into Boston University.
If you are taking SAT IIs in December, re-take the SAT in January.</p>

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<p>I was actually planning to apply to BU, but after visiting, I decided that I really more of a traditional campus. I do want a more urban campus, but I don't feel the need to be directly in the middle of downtown. Hence my interest in Chicago: the setting there is perfect for me. Both urban and traditional.</p>

11

<p>Estella,</p>

<p>It's more than posible that you will get in EA. If you don't, please humor me and retake the SAT in January. I don't think you'll be rejected outright if you don't get in.
Keep us posted!</p>

12

<p>danas,</p>

<p>Thanks for the support. I will definitely consider retaking that horribly long test again in January, though it would certainly be nice if it didn't come to that. It's good to hear that I do indeed stand a chance at Chicago.</p>

13

<p>Estella:</p>

<p>UCB/UCLA: Slight Reach</p>