Hi I am currently a Junior in high school and I got my March SAT scores today… I got a 1930 overall which was a bummer because I consistently scored above a 2000 on the blue book practice exams. I want to take it a final time next year after taking classes at veritas and more studying so that I can break the 2200 range. Additionally, I am going to take the ACT this month and am planning to send both my ACT and SAT scores.
I wanted to know what else I should do to have a chance to get into Upenn and other top-tier and ivy league colleges. I want to be doctor and so I am looking at schools with great pre-med programs. Here is a little more about my current stats:
Sophomore Test Scores:
-AP Biology Exam: 4
-SAT II CHEM: 630 (I only took regular chemistry and my teacher was horrible)
Junior Classes:
AP Physics 1
-Calculus
-AP Environmental
-European Literature
-Art (elective)
I am also going to self study AP Human Geography and take the Exam
( Current GPA: 4.20 )
Junior Test Scores:
-PSAT: 181
-MARCH SAT: 1930 (620 CR-650 MATH-660 GR)
-SAT II BIO: 720
~Exams I still have to take:
ACT
SAT (2nd Attempt)
SAT II MATH II
SAT II PHYSICS
AP EXAMS
Extra-Curricular Activities:
-Robotics
-Forensics class
-Asian Club (Founder and President)
-NJ Science League Bio II and Environmental (2 years)
-NJ Math League
-Key Club (2 years)
-Council on Diversity
-Environmental Club
-Badminton Club
Activities Outside of School:
– Dual Enrollment at a Community College:
~ I took Composition 1 and Instrumental Piano and got an A in both classes
–I also want to take Piano classes at the community college again this summer.
–I applied to a Summer Internship for this summer so hopefully I will get accepted into that program…
– I started to volunteer at a Hospital last summer but this year I will begin volunteering again during the summer.
–I also volunteer at an Adult Care Center
(I expect to complete more than 150 hours of volunteering in total)
Prospective Senior Course Load
-AP Calculus BC
-AP Literature
-AP Chemistry
-I am planning on self studying AP Psychology
Don’t get your hopes up. For anecdotal evidence, I had a 2330/4.0 and still got waitlisted.
Not to dissuade you, of course, but there are so many qualified students and not enough spots. Definitely apply if you like the school, but have safeties you would be happy to attend!
I would say based on stats, if you can get a 2200 on the SAT you stand a decent chance. But ivies are all insanely hard to get into and a huge part of the admissions process are essays. Hard to chance for most people because essays are just so important now. Write bomb essays and I would say you could get in.
Thanks for your input! I’ll be applying to many ivies and other top colleges because of the tough compeition… but i also do have safeties in mind. I think I’ll be able to achieve at least a 2200 because the first time I screwed it over because i was nervous and the test felt so long -_-
I had a 31 sat, 2030 sat and 630 Spanish 2, 660 math 2, 700 wh, and 750 ush sat 2s and I got into huntsman. It’s not impossible but you have to have a passion for what you want to study and show show it through your extracurriculars. I would highlight interesting things on your application and not the hospital volunteer stuff because that is what every pre-Med person does and you NEED to stand out. Your scores may be a little low for the competition you will face. What is your specific major??id take a non stem SAT2, and just make sure your essays are on point… Your app, while you do a lot of clubs seems a little generic? Volunteering at a hospital is something that they see a lot, the key club too… Environmental club… The internship may be something good to highlight! It really does depend on what you want to major in for undergrad. It’s great that you want to be a doctor, but undergrad is what you’re applying for. ED could boost your chances a lot! I did RD though so it’s not impossible either way! I also got into Columbia, yale so scores are not everything
Sorry but do you have any advice for the AP Bio exam? I know it is not in my place to ask you on your own thread but most people at my school get 3s and i’m really concerned.
@seoulbound Thanks For Your Advice Hopefully I will get into the Summer Internship program and I am looking at more things to be involved in… I also think I’ll be able to pull my scores up because the first time I think I was just nervous while taking the SAT.
@0br0123 I didn’t really have a great teacher for AP Bio so we didn’t really get to finish everything but I read through the AP Bio Cliffnotes two times. I would suggest reading the Cliffnotes or Barrons (many of my friends used this) for a refreshment. The multiple choice is centered more on data analysis and so strict memorization will be a waste of time. I think what really prevented me from getting a 5 were the essays… they were specific and detailed and I sort of answered them in a broad and generic way.
PSAT is kind of low so theres no reason why should really include it. Do you know your UW gpa on a 4.0 scale? That’s the one that counts. Also keep in mind colleges usually reconfigure gpas to factor out non academic subjects that may inflate the cumulative such as art or music.
Hopefully I will get into the Summer Internship program and I am looking at more things to be involved in… I also think I’ll be able to pull my scores up because the first time I think I was just nervous while taking the SAT.