What are my chances for UPenn, Columbia, UChicago, etc...?

<p>I'm a junior, so some of this information isn't complete yet (like GPA and officer positions in clubs), but I did my best to estimate everything accurately.</p>

<p>SAT Score: 2280 (800 CR, 730 M, 750 W) on first try, might retake for higher math score
SAT Subject Tests: 790 Biology, 740 World History, and I will take US History, Math II, and English this year
ACT Score: 33 (first try, I may take again for a 34 unless I just submit my SATs and leave the ACT out)
GPA (projected estimate): 4.10-4.15 weighted, ~3.9 unweighted</p>

<p>I have taken every AP and Honors class that I can fit in my schedule, am involved with several clubs and honor societies (DECA, possibly president of my school's Political Awareness Club next year as a senior, Mock Trial, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society), and I will be an Eagle Scout by the time I apply next year. </p>

<p>My district is pretty competitive, and for reference the highest GPA in this year's graduating class is a 4.36, with the top ten ending at about 4.20 or so. I will definitely be top 10% of my class of about 350, and my school doesn't do a specific rank order (although the top students naturally ask around and determine their place, but it isn't an official statistic that's submitted to colleges). We use weighting for AP classes, and a full point is added to each class' grade (e.g., if you get an A- in an AP class, it starts as a 3.6 and a point is added to make it a 4.6).</p>

<p>My school changed its grading policy after my freshman year. Before, a 90 or higher earned you an 'A' and 4 quality points, B+ was 87-89.9 and it counted as 3.5, B was a 3, etc... Now it's:
A+ is 97+, 4.4 quality points
A is 93-96.9, 4 quality points
A- is 90-92.9, 3.6 quality points
B+ is 97-89.9, 3.3 quality points
B is 83-86.9, 3 quality points</p>

<p>All of the A+s that I had before under the old system (and I would have had a lot of them, since I had pretty easy teachers and classes in 9th grade) only count as 4.0s instead of 4.4s, which makes it more difficult for my weighted AP classes and A+s now to carry me significantly above a 4.0 GPA.</p>

<p>What are my chances of getting into the following schools? I plan on studying International Relations or similar (possibly double majoring in business).</p>

<p>U Penn, Columbia, U Chicago, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Tufts, Georgetown, Boston College, SUNY Binghamton (Honors College)</p>

<p>Should I even bother applying to Harvard/Yale/Princeton/Stanford? I think those are probably a little out of my league, but some people have told me that I have a chance and that it's worth the application fee just in case.</p>

<p>My main concern is that my GPA seems a little low for top-tier schools like Columbia and Penn, but my guidance counselor said that colleges realize and understand that students may have had a bad teacher or a harsh class (for example, my only B came in AP Biology but I got a 5 on the AP Exam and a 790 on the SAT Subject Test) on occasion. Do you think it's a major problem?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>I think your weakness is more in your ECs than your GPA. School clubs alone is not enough for schools like Penn/Columbia.</p>

<p>Also, if you think Penn/Columbia are in your league, I don’t see why HYPS wouldn’t be. I’m guessing you’re applying for the huntsman program at Penn? That’s definitely as difficult to get into as HYPS</p>

<p>I think your weakness is more in your ECs than your GPA. School clubs alone is not enough for schools like Penn/Columbia.</p>

<p>Also, if you think Penn/Columbia are in your league, I don’t see why HYPS wouldn’t be. I’m guessing you’re applying for the huntsman program at Penn? That’s definitely as difficult to get into as HYPS</p>

<p>I also have a list of about 10 or so other events and competitions that I didn’t include here, including a 4th Place All-County Math Teacher’s Association Competition award, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards participant, 6th place in New York State for DECA in my first year of competition (I hope to make nationals this year for the same event), and a few others. I’ve participated in things like MIT Splash/Spark a few times, but I’m not sure if things like that would go on an application since they’re one time events that are open to everyone (although of course only those interested in spending two days taking classes at MIT would attend, so it probably shows academic involvement outside of school). I’m not sure whether or not middle school things should be included, but I participated and competed in MathCounts in middle school and did very well at the state competition (top 25%) both years I did it, and placed 2nd in the state for a Science Olympiads event in 8th grade. I also failed to mention that in addition to eventually being an Eagle Scout, I am currently the Senior Patrol Leader of my Boy Scout troop.</p>

<p>I would love to do the Huntsman program, but I realize that it’s admission is incredibly competitive and since I know you have to apply to a specific school of Penn, I wouldn’t want to get shut out of Penn entirely if I didn’t make Huntsman (hopefully it doesn’t work that way though, right?).</p>

<p>bump 10char</p>

<p>bumping123</p>