<p>I know there isn't a magic formula for getting into a top tier school but pretend your the admissions officer. Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Academic standing-
Gpa is a 3.9
Weighed Gpa is a 4.0
I have straight A's throughout high school. However I received 1 b+, which brought my GPA down.</p>
<p>I don't have my results from my ACT yet but it will be in the range from 25 to 30. I don't think I will get anywhere higher than 30 or lower than 25.</p>
<p>I am in National Honors Society. I am the president of my class. I have over 300 hours of volunteer service in my community. I am a varsity attorney for mock trial. I am on the varsity dance team at my high school. I believe I'm going to get captain for my senior year.</p>
<p>These are my "hooks" or things that make me stand out.
I am involved in national and statewide youth boards. I have spoken at national youth conferences and hosted workshops at conferences in my state. I do a lot of advocating for youth voice and empowerment.
I am the South West Youth Representative for the MN Youth Council. </p>
<p>I have some EXTREME special circumstances:</p>
<p>My mother came from East Africa with my father. My dad left my family when I was young and so my mother worked overtime at a meat packing plant to compensate for 5 children as a single mother. My mom had a horrible accident at the plant she was working at and now suffers from chronic back problems. She can no longer work and my family has relied heavily on government aid.</p>
<p>My mother is a hardworking person and enjoys being self-reliant so being stopped from working has led her to have severe depression. I pretty much raised myself and took care of my family from a young age.</p>
<p>My family is way below the poverty line and my siblings and I took the initiative to work as early as we could to help pay bills. </p>
<p>I know my story is disheartening but that's what you call the "American Dream" right. HA, anyways I hope this can get me an Ivy League education.</p>
<p>I am not the typical applicant, I had to mature from an early age and I hope I can reflect all of my achievements through my personal statement.</p>
<p>I know this is long, thanks for taking the time to read</p>
<p>Additional details </p>
<p>I was recently invited to a private conference at Stanford university with an all expense paid trip. The dean, and admissions officers told me I should emphasize my special circumstances; especially because small portions of Ivy League applicants are low income.</p>
<p>I also forgot to mention I recently won a national essay contest and had the opportunity to attend the National Republican Convention and meet influential members in the Republican Party.</p>
<p>Addressing AP - my school allows a limited amount of ap classes per year. Also they do not allow you to take Ap in freshman year therefore the minor difference in my gpa's.</p>
<p>k tell me if that helps any and thanks for honest opinions.</p>