What are my chances at these schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

After looking at all of these college posts I’ve been getting more and more anxious and now I just want to ask you guys for your opinions on my current college plans. So I’ve made a college list and I feel like I may be too optimistic based on my current stats.

I got a few C+s and Bs and only one A first semester freshman year because two of my close family members passed away right before school started. Because of that I also didn’t do any extracurriculars other than volunteering. I’m currently retaking those classes which will bring me up from a 2.89 to a 3.7 for the first semester of that year. I took two honors courses and IB (which were the only ones offered for that year).

sophomore year I had a 3.9 and a 4.0, I also was on the varsity golf team, had a summer job did more volunteering and took care of my younger sister whenever was needed. I took 2 honors courses which were the only ones offered as well as IB. That summer I went on a volunteer trip that I did fundraising for all year. I was also on my school varsity golf team. I retook one class that I got a C+ and B in because it was the only class I didn’t get an A in and I know I could do better. I got an A in that class the second time I took it.

junior year (now) My mental health is at its best since my family members passed so I decided to do all the things I didn’t do earlier. I’m taking full IB (5HL 2 SL), got a 3.9 1st semester (2 A-, one in HL bio and one in HL math), I volunteer, babysit 3 days a week, watch my younger sister and have done a Model UN conference and went to state for DECA. I also started an organization that I run through my local church to raise money for kids’ uniforms I met while on the volunteer trip last summer. I also had the #1 spot on my varsity golf team but the season got cut short. This summer I’m doing the same volunteer trip, a summer program and a 4-week internship at an accounting firm. I’m hoping to do some golf tournaments this summer if they don’t get cancelled. I’m also applying for the questbridge quest for excellece awards and we’ll see how that turns out.
-also my school switched to pass/No credit for second semester but my grade percentages are still in the mid to high 90s for all of them

I’m retaking 3 classes so I can bring my cumulative GPA up from 3.56 to 3.88 because I know I could have done better if I was in a better mental state. Anyway, I honestly don’t know my chances of getting into the schools I want to go to because I don’t have any crazy achievements or leadership roles but I’m doing what I can right now and I’m working on what I’m passionate about.

I haven’t taken the ACT yet but I’m doing my own prep until July and I’m hoping to go up from a 29 to somewhere between 33 and 25 but ya know that isn’t guaranteed.
I’m also taking the AP micro and macro economics and IB global politics exams this year

Here are the colleges that I’m generally looking at for econ and poli sci:

US SCHOOLS-
( HUGE REACHES) UPenn (which is kinda my dream school), Yale, WashU, Georgetown, Columbia, Brown, Duke, and Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth (REACHES) UVA, UNC, University of Richmond (TARGETS)- GW, UW, W&M (SAFETIES) Virginia tech and Michigan state
UK SCHOOLS
Oxford, UCL, University of Edinburgh, Durham, LSE

2

I’d cut down your list of huge reaches to one or two. Since UPenn is your dream, apply there, but other than that you’re wasting money by applying to more.

It’s a bit confusing from your post, but what is your CURRENT gpa? Both W and UW? Going by year doesn’t really matter since most schools will recalculate it anyway. Also, what state do you live in? That’ll determine a lot for UNC and UVA.

Going off of your ACT score (and a 3.88W gpa?), here’s what I think.

HUGE REACHES- UPenn, Yale, WashU, Gtown, Columbia, Brown, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, UVA, and UNC (11 schools)
REACHES- URichmond, W&M, GW (3 schools)
MATCHES- Virginia Tech, UW (2 schools)
SAFETIES- Michigan State (1 school)

Your list is EXTREMELY reach heavy. I’d save time and money by not applying to any of the huge reaches except for UPenn and maybe UVA and UNC if you’re in state. You’ll have more time to focus on essays for the others if you cut down. Also, you need to find more safety and match schools. I’d say have half your list be reaches and the other a mix of safety/match.

3

My GPA is a 3.88 UW

4

just to clarify my GPA is a 3.88 UW and about a 4.3 W, I live in WA so I have a decent chance at UW. I can also get fee wavers for most schools so the cost of applying isn’t too big of a deal for me.

5

Okay so after knowing your GPA, here’s what I think.

HUGE REACHES- UPenn, Yale, WashU, Gtown, Columbia, Brown, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, UVA, W&M, and UNC (12 schools)
REACHES- URichmond (1 school)
MATCHES- GW, UW (2 schools)
SAFETIES- Michigan State, VTech (2 schools)

Again, your list is WAY too reach heavy. And even if you can get fee waivers, you’ll have to write essays for all of those schools, which’ll take a really long time. Also, if you’re super insistent on applying to such a large amount of reach schools, you need to balance it out with matches/safeties. Don’t just apply to ivies and T20s because you can. Only apply to schools you really see yourself going to and liking.