<p>I plan on applying to UVA next year, it is my first choice.</p>
<p>Classes:
AP History
Honors English
Chemistry
Math BR (Sorry I'm in NY, and that's what they call it, basically Trig and Alg)
Spanish IV
Journalism</p>
<p>I have a 3.7 gpa.
I've only taken a PSAT and I got only a 173 on it.
I have a house in Virginia and plan on moving back down full time over the summer.</p>
<p>Now I haven't been able to do many extracurricular activities, as my parents are very protecting and never really allowed me to do much.</p>
<p>What does anyone think I could do to help my chances?</p>
<p>Ooh..that's really unfortunate :(
My friend is in the same boat right now...her parents wouldn't let her take the SAT and don't let her out of the house for any extra-curriculars...she can't even use the computer to type her essays for school! (She still got accepted to college though...just not a U.Va-caliber school)
I would say take a very challenging course load for your senior year, and try to pick up a leadership position in journalism...maybe Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper?
Take as many APs as possible to raise your GPA.
If at all possible, try to take the SAT or ACT, and SAT IIs are highly recommended.
Are you in church? You might try to volunteer a bit through that?
Work really hard to write amazing essays and get good recommendations.
Otherwise, I'd say its a pretty slim chance.
If all else fails, you could go somewhere else and transfer to U.Va later.
Good luck!!</p>
<p>Sorry to add this in late but I am also African American.
I don't know if that changes anything.
I am also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars
I was also nominated to go to the National Youth Leadership Forum.
I did Field Hockey in the 9th grade.</p>
<p>Just challenge yourself as far as you can at school, try and "become" a more erudite person (I say that in quotes because I can't judge you for how balanced you are now), and do well on your SATs.</p>
<p>And look at this year's essay prompts and prepare yourself. I personally loved the essay prompts and was able to delve into the prompts (especially the Ilya Prigogine quote) and show my thought-processes through my essays. Start reading and exploring the world, in lay men's terms. I found the Virginia essays so thought-provoking, as if they were trying to query the way we think through the essays. Use that to your advantage.</p>
<p>Lastly, although I hate to invoke the race factor, use your background to your advantage. As a prospective Hoo, I'm sure you're a legit student. Thus, use what you have to help people less fortunate than you. Tutor underprivileged kids, inner-city kids. Involve yourself with African-American culture. Become the reason we don't need affirmative action.</p>
<p>Good luck and best of your years in high school. =]</p>
<p>UVA isn’t that hard to get into at all if you’re in state. My stats were:</p>
<p>GPA 4.0 W
SAT 1260/1600
Eagle Scout, NHS, JROTC, lots of community service,etc etc</p>
<p>basically nothing too outstanding and I got in. So basically really drive the “instate” part home and you should be fine. No matter what people say, it’s still a public school and now has to let in 70% now, I think it was, you should be fine IMO just do really well and take the best classes possible</p>
<p>What GoTechGo is saying is that 70% of each entering class at UVa must be in-state, not that in-state students experience a 70% acceptance rate. The same is true for most state universities, I believe.</p>
<p>So basically, there is no chance of me getting in?
That’s really upseting, because I don’t think I can afford to go to another school that is up to UVA’s standards…</p>
<p>Princess; it would help if you applied as a URM, whether you are or not (are they ever going to ask for your family tree?). Looking at UVA’s own stats, this gives you about a 36% better chance of getting admitted, which is HUGE. I’m aware of many students who have done such and been admitted into colleges, incl UVA, that they might not have otherwise. It’s all a chess match.</p>
<p>Sudstar-
I’m glad that we agree. Getting accepted based on your merits is how it ought to be done. It’s too bad that UVA doesn’t agree with this philosophy, but instead needs to know the racial profile of the applicants that it’s reviewing. Doesn’t make any sense to me either.</p>
<p>Why would they have such a higher acceptance rate for black applicants? If the black applicant pool far exceeded the rest of the applicants, so be it. And kudos to any applicant, including black, who receives admission based on their merits alone.</p>
<p>BUT…as race IS indeed looked at, then this is just one big chess game. UVA makes a move…applicants should make another move to counter.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you mean by having a house in Va. and planning on moving back there full time…but I if I were you I would also want to confirm your in-state/OOS status as of application time with the proper authorities at UVa so that you better know your chances.</p>