What are my chances? Also, suggestions on schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Well, after reading some of the other credentials of the other people who post in this forum, I'm somewhat ashamed of mine, but here it goes. Curious of what my chances are to the universities I've mentioned, but I'm also looking for recommendations of schools that I should be able to get into in my requested major. </p>

<p>State of Residence: Nebraska</p>

<p>School: Top private (and public for that matter) high school in the state, recently ranked top 25 Catholic high school in the nation. Rigorous college preparatory education, that annually sends numerous kids to the Ivies. Strict grading system, little leniency. Had two people score perfect scores on the ACT this year alone. Also, my school is a Jesuit school, and thus I've been told, appeals to Jesuit colleges more.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.56 at the end of my junior year, if given the opportunity, it will rise during senior year, though I realize that it is likely too little too late.
Freshman year and this past (my junior year) I had a 3.83 and above each semester, but I went through a really difficult time personally (family situation at home) my sophomore year, which made me lose focus. I'm re-focused now, and eager to prove myself. </p>

<p>Class Rank: Not sure as of currently, though I believe it's right around 80-100/250. If given the benefit of the first semester of senior year, this will rise. My class is acclaimed to be the "brightest yet" and is very competitive, so in my opinion, doesn't reflect my abilities. Our school doesn't report rankings for this reason.</p>

<p>Classes: I've taken 2 AP classes and a few honor classes thus far, my school doesn't offer many to underclassmen. Scored two fours on them. Next year I'm taking four AP classes and one honors class. </p>

<p>Standardized test scores: I scored a 26 on my PLAN test, which put me in the range of (I believe) 28-32. I took the ACT the first time in April, cold turkey, and scored a 26 (33 reading, 24 science, 22 math, 25 English). I know I could have and will inevitably do better, as I've done more to prepare myself. I'm certain that I can score at least a 28 on the ACT, so please use that number when telling me my chances. I haven't taken the SAT yet, and I'm not sure if I should, because of my math weakness. </p>

<p>Recommendations: I'll get strong recommendations from all of my teachers, as well as counselors.</p>

<p>Extra-curriculars: Relatively few are offered at my school, atleast those that interest me. I've tried on numerous occasions to establish new clubs and groups, serious ones (for instance an FBLA chapter), but the administration isn't welcoming.</p>

<p>3 year Varsity Wrestling member (2x state qualifier), got hurt the week before state of my junior year, and haven't been able to wrestle since due to a knee injury. Also, was ranked 3rd in the state my junior year before getting injured. I've also won numerous off-season state championships
Wrestling coach volunteer (youth)
Liturgical band: freshman and sophomore year
School Ambassador program: freshman and sophomore year
Volunteer at two local soup kitchens
Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity (not as often as I'd like!)
Participant in the work-study program
Participant on a school-sponsored service trip
I've worked consistently from freshman-senior year, and at times even held two jobs. Also, a lot of the time, especially this past year, I work full-time hours, even during the school year.
I've participated in career seminars related to the field I'm interested in.
Amateur photographer and writer
Intramural school sports participant
Club soccer team
Entrepreneur, I've operated (successfully) my own internet ventures and am always looking for investment opportunies. Thus, I also have a keen interest in investing, and I love to research and analyze stocks.
Amateur car mechanic (I love to restore classic cars, and have done so to 3 of my own)
Avid traveler (I've been to over 30 countries, 10 of which were by myself.)</p>

<p>If I do say so myself, I'm a pretty likeable person and I sound intelligent while giving off a vibe of friendliness, so I think an interview by a college admission's director would work into my favor. As well, I'm pretty certain that my essay will be of high-caliber and thus also will work in my favor.</p>

<p>Major interests:
Haven't completely decided, but I think I wish to go into international business or international affairs (hopefully which encompasses political science and some degree of business), with the intent to enter law school following graduation.</p>

<p>I'm also not certain how it's defined, but I believe I'm a first-generation college graduate (or will be). Both of my parents attended college, though neither finished with a degree, and my sister graduated last year. I'm also from a middle-class, white, inner-city family. </p>

<p>Additionally, since I have the benefit of having a good, in-state safety school (the University of Nebraska), I realize that some of my choices are beyond my reach but Nebraska's my fallback school.</p>

<p>Colleges I'm Interested In:</p>

<p>Tulane University
American University
Boston University
Boston College
Macalester
SUNY Stony Brook
Syracuse University
New York University
University of Texas (family ties)
University of Washington (family ties)
Marquette University
Loyola University Chicago
Loyoal Marymount
Clemson
University of Wisconsin Madison
Truman State University</p>

<p>Also, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities</p>

2

<p>Your ACT pretty much kills your chances at UT (where no one cares about your family ties, because it's big and a state school), NYU, BC, and probably Syracuse and Tulane.</p>

<p>Your class rank is also pretty horrendous.</p>

<p>Bring up your scores (to at least a 30 on the ACT) and pull straight As senior year, in order to have any shot at your reaches.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your opinions. Any more?</p>

<p>Also, what about the other schools on my list? Any of them that are suitable?</p>

4

<p>shoot for 32+ on the ACT...your class rank is going to hurt.</p>

5

<p>Well, by the end of senior year, I should have it around 50-60/250. My school refuses to report class ranks to schools as well. My school the last two years had the following stats:</p>

<p>29 acceptances to Boston College, 19 attending
4 acceptances to U of Chicago, 2 attending
1 acceptance to Cal. Institute of Tech, 0 attending
1 acceptance to Berkeley, 0 attending
2 acceptances to Boston U, 0 attending
3 acceptances to Baylor, 2 attending
4 acceptances to American U, 1 attending
2 acceptances to Columbia, 1 attending
2 acceptances to Duke, 1 attending
2 acceptances to Emory, 1 attending
3 acceptances to Harvard, 3 attending
2 acceptances to Johns Hopkins, 0 attending
2 acceptances to MIT, 1 attending
4 acceptances to Macalester, 0 attending
1 acceptance to U of Michigan, 1 attending
5 acceptances to U of Minn Twin Cities, 0 attending
1 acceptance to Yale, 0 attending
1 acceptance to U of Washinton, 0 attending
13 acceptances to Washington U in St. Louis, 2 attending
3 acceptances to Villanova, 0 attending
3 acceptances to Vanderbilt, 0 attending
1 acceptance to West Point, 1 attending
1 acceptance to Naval Academy, 1 attending
2 acceptances to Tulane, 0 attending
3 acceptances to Stanford, 2 attending
6 acceptances to USC, 2 attending
2 acceptances to U of Richmond, 0 attending
2 acceptances to Rice, 2 attending
1 acceptance to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 0 attending
1 acceptance to Princeton, 0 attending
4 acceptances to Pepperdine, 1 attending
13 acceptances to Notre Dame, 8 attending
4 acceptances to Northwestern, 1 attending</p>

<p>This is in addition to the regular in (and out of state) schools, small Catholic universities, etc. Those are just the elite university statistics.</p>

<p>I'm not sure how accurate it is, but my college counselor also stated that Boston College is more lenient towards kids from our school, because the school's have a good history and we're a fellow Jesuit college preparatory school. </p>

<p>Anyone care to give specifics on any of the colleges? As in which ones, if any I have a shot at.</p>

6

<p>wow! you must have a really good, competitive school.</p>

7

<p>Family ties, meaning alumni?</p>

<p>If so, it does not help you at public schools.</p>

8

<p>Right, I realized that it wouldn't better my chances of getting in, I was just specifying my reasoning for wanting to (attempt) to attend.</p>

9

<p>Also, adding one other college to my list.
University of Miami (FL)</p>

10

<p>the final 3 ecs you listed are REALLY interesting... I think if you encorperate them properly into your app, you can make a go at a good deal of those schools. </p>

<p>Your rank hurts, but as you've proved, you're in a competitive school. Im pretty sure your school will report what % your in (top 10 top 25 etc). My school, even though its public, refuses to send in rank, but they do show the percentile which you fall.</p>

<p>Otherwise, how could colleges know what your gpa means in relation to the class? does everyone have 3.8+? </p>

<p>Study hard for the act, also (I HIGHLY ReCOMMEND learning how to use a graphing calc to its fullest extent).</p>

<p>you dont need to know math if you can use a ti83 well. you dont have to know how to use the calculator even if you find the right programs to download onto it.</p>

11

<p>Thanks Chase, I appreciate you taking the time to post. I'm not quite sure why I haven't gotten more posts, but I suspect it's because of my sub-par (in comparison to the other credentials on this board) credentials. </p>

<p>I'm really looking for some assistance as to what colleges I should be trying to apply to, and specifically which ones I have a good chance of being accepted. Since I work full-time during the school year, I have little time to do applications, and thus would like to get started now (Towards the end of summer).</p>

12

<p>Like i said, if you work those last 3 ecs as well as your job well enough into your app, i think you ARE a unique applicant to pretty much anywhere. Thats a good thing!</p>

<p>Most people here are same old same old. Great scores and grades, but what have they done outside academics? Have they proved themselves in the REAL world? For the most part, no. Do they bring anything interesting to the school? Sure, they got great grades and scores, but really with enough dedication anyone can get those. </p>

<p>I can say you aren't an IVY candidate (but that doesnt mean that other very good schools might not want you!)</p>

13

<p>if you make your ec seem more unique to your, i believe you have a pretty good chance.</p>

<p>also just because other people in your school can get into good colleges, doesnt mean that you can. bad logic there. T.T</p>

14

<p>I never once stated that. All I did was attempt to give an idea of the competitiveness of the school. </p>

<p>I'm considering entering a few of my cars into local (and state) show competitions, do you think this would be to my benefit, if I did indeed receive an award? Being as I restored the cars myself.</p>

15

<p>Any other chances for the common man?</p>

16

<p>Bump - please let know specific schools, if you would.</p>

17

<p>Would someone mind telling me their opinion of my safeties list (I'm not applying at all of these obviously, but these are ones I've shown a remote interest and will research more thoroughly, narrowing it down to 2-3. I just want to get a feel of my options)</p>

<p>University of Kansas
Kansas State
University of Iowa
Iowa State
Purdue
Indiana State
Barry University
Colorado State
University of Vermont
University of Nebraska - Omaha - guaranteed admission
University of Nebraska - Lincoln - guaranteed admission
University of Nebraska - Kearney - guaranteed admission
University of Dallas
University of Arizona
Arizona State
Auburn University
Marquette University
University of Hawaii-Manoa
University of Massachusetts Amherst</p>