DISCLAIMER: THE SCHOOLS I AM LISTING HERE THAT I WANT TO APPLY TO ARE MY REACH SCHOOLS. I already have a list of safe schools. I do have some questions, though for some of the schools I am thinking about. For instance should I retake the SAT, for example? I will list my stats below. I am wondering if doing that will make me a better candidate.
HS GPA: 3.14/4 UW.
APs: 4, Psychology
Class Rank: Not sure… bottom half but did not put on transcript.
SAT (Old Version): 630 M, 640 V, 660 W.
ECs: Rowed for four years, did ~50 hours of volunteer work. Wrote for my school newspaper senior year. Really that’s about it.
College GPA: First semester, 3.65. Rank 170/578 (not sure if this matters with 1 semester). Finishing up second, should have similar marks.
Majors: Psych/Jewish Studies (not every school offers second as major).
ECs: More volunteer work done during breaks, part of my college’s EMS. ~15-30 hours every month. Also, I am doing psychology research with a professor, should be speaking during Psych Day.
Recs: Coming from Psych professor and Jewish Studies professor. Expecting psych to be ~6.5/10, hopefully JST ~8+/10.
College Currently Attending: Muhlenberg College.
Reach schools on my list: UNC, UVA, Mich, William and Mary, NYU, Wash U, Vanderbilt, Tufts, Northeastern, Colgate, Hamilton, Davidson, U Richmond, UT Austin, Pitzer, Rice, USC, Boston U, Brandeis.
Based on everything stated, should I retake the SAT? Could someone also enlighten me on what role they play for transfers? Yes, I know they can differentiate similar applicants, but aren’t test scores primarily sued to predict college GPA? In addition, should I spend as many semesters at my current college before applying, in attempt to strengthen my record?