Hey guys! I just wanted to know my chances of getting into the following schools:
Yale
Columbia
NYU
Boston University
Northeastern University
Fordham University
UCONN
To start off, I am Hispanic (Cuban & Puerto Rican). I am also openly gay. I attend a private high school. My GPA is a 4.0 (98-99 average ---- most likely higher now since I am taking more AP’s my senior year), but my SAT is an 1850. I took the Spanish with listening subject test and got above a 700. I am also scheduled to take a math subject test in December. I am part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program (only 3 kids in my school including myself are in it), as well as three other prestigious recognition programs. One of my poems was also published in a book. I have managed to stay on First Honors and Principals List (junior year - all principals list). I am bilingual. I also am taking 4 AP tests in the spring of my senior year and all of my classes are honors/AP. I have volunteered at my local nature center since middle school. I am also a part of several clubs, including a big leadership club at my school. I am also the president of the Spanish Enrichment Program at my school (which I got off the ground). I am CPR certified and have worked as a lifeguard. My college essay has been looked over by a lawyer and several teachers. I know my SAT score is low. At first, I doubted any chances of getting into any of the colleges above Boston University. But, my teachers, as well as several guidance counselors, have told me I have what it takes to apply to Ivy League schools, especially since they are hungry for minorities (gay & latino). What do you think? Is this true? What are my chances at each school? Any crazy stories of kids getting into these schools? Any tips? Thank you so much
The problem with that SAT is that it shows that you may have difficulty keeping up with other students who are admitted and are getting over 2300’s.
So your other EC’s look okay, but there doesn’t appear to be a specific major other than Spanish. I agree with @TomSrOfBoston, if you are a hispanic bilingual, and either of your two languages is Spanish, that AP doesn’t help. If you are bilingual in Chinese or French, then that AP would count.
Being Hispanic is a hook but you also have to “make” the stats. Lots of kids are hispanic now (suddenly discovering that they are 1/8); but, they have higher stats and are NHRP. If your SAT were higher, I would give you better odds but right now, I think Boston.
@“aunt bea” Thank you for the info! I do not mind going to BU! It is actually my #1 choice if I do not go Ivy but do you think high SAT II subject test scores can help me? Also, I hear NYU cares more about GPA as some of my friends have gotten in with 1800’s (side note: I am not applying to stern, I’m going for poli sci)
While there is a possibility of getting into these schools with your score, improvements on it would certainly improve your application. I agree with the other comments, that, even if spanish was not your first language, it’s likely not going to be something that stands out, BUT your involvement in ECs related to it will be helpful. Good luck on these schools; they are essentially crapshoots even if your SAT is 2300+, you cured cancer, etc. Make sure you have some matches (based on your SAT score) and safeties that have good programs in your major.
yeah honestly… not even true because there are several colleges that offer scholarships just for NHRP. BU offers 20K and Northeastern offers 30K. Fordham offers a full ride for it. Also, my friend goes to NYU and says he has many friends with 1800 SAT scores that got in. It’s Stern that I think is more competitive. I can understand top 2 being denies though.
You will have trouble getting into the IVY’s but it’s not impossible. With an IVY you never know what they are looking for. I know students athletes who have gotten in with SAT scores in 1800’s. Being gay might help your chances. It’s tough to say but one has to consider that there is a reason many IVY’s ask that question on the application. These IVY’s get 4.0 students with perfect test scores all the time and they reject many of them. You have to ask yourself how are you different and better and then you have to relay that in your application. Good luck!!
@saules yeah i am thinking i have a chance at NYU & a good chance for the rest. as far as ivy’s, yeah i agree. it is a slim chance, but nevertheless worth a shot. i appreciate the positive feedback
MY son is at an IVY - was recruited as an athlete and we all know the stats of every team member. It seems that IVY’s tend to like that “extra special thing” - whatever it might be, along with good grades/test scores of course. I think your chances are very good at NYU and BU. Both colleges have ED 2 which would increase your chances even more but you should only do that if you are prepared to go if they say yes. Both schools are on top of my daughter’s list but she has not applied yet as she is waiting for her ED which should come out very soon.
