Hey guys, I would appreciate any input on schools I should consider applying to. I did not look into any colleges out of high school, knowing I was going to my local community college (ranked top ten in the country, if that matters).
High School-
GPA: 3.571 unweighted and 4.266 weighted.
SAT: 1340, 1380 superscored.
I earned 20 AP credits.
EC: I did not do any extracurriculars my first two years. I was part of a leadership club that advised/taught the freshmen for half a period for my last two, as well as the class council and a community service club. I did a moderate amount of volunteering, nothing too impressive. I was in the school’s orchestra for all four years. I worked around 25 hours a week during my junior and senior years.
College-
I am attending my college on a prestigious scholarship that covers full tuition for two years. My AP credit is allowing me to graduate with an Associate in Arts degree a semester early, and I’m planning on transferring for the Spring semester. My current GPA is a 4.0, and I expect it to remain so after the current semester (my second one, which is the last one they’ll see when I apply). I am in the honors program and will graduate with honors distinction. I am also in Phi Theta Kappa, Psychology club (my major), and Campus Activities Board, which organizes most of the events and has a great relationship with important figures among the school. I may have a board position by the time I start applying. I now volunteer regularly at an animal shelter and have many other opportunities to volunteer through my various clubs. I am also studying abroad this Summer for chemistry. I have excellent relationships with my professors and was made a tutor for biology after only my first semester. I also still have a job while maintaining full-time status at school.
I am proud of my achievements in college but know that my high school stats may hold me back from entry into Ivy Leagues. I was wondering what the best schools that I could apply to and have a chance at are. Northwestern, Notre Dame, Cornell? I live in Illinois.
Thank you so much.
Your GPA will make you a strong candidate for any program. What it boils down to is the admission rate of the universities you apply to (often lower for transfer students than for Freshmen) and whether your ECs and essay help you stand out. I suggest you look at the transfer admission rates of the schools you are interested in and select a range of places to apply to. The other aspect of the process is financial. If you are in need to significant financial aid, then make sure to apply to universities which offer it to students. Not all do.
Good Luck!