What are my chances of getting into...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a freshman in high school. I haven’t taken any SAT/ACT tests, so I understand this will not be accurate. However, I’m trying to calculate whether or not I have even a chance of getting into certain schools.

Academics: I get straight As (maybe one B a year) and have done so since the 6th grade. My unweighted gpa is currently 3.83, my weighted gpa is 4.29 I believe. This year I took one AP test, next year will take 3 or 4, in junior year will take 3 or 4, in senior year will take 3 or 4. So in total around 10-12 total tests. In addition to AP, I am in the IB program at my school, which is one of the best ones in the country. I will take many IB tests throughout the years and that is why I have a high weighted GPA.

Also: I speak Spanish at home (I’m Hispanic), I have learned Chinese for 4 years (since 6th grade, this is the only thing that is bringing down my cumulative gpa, because when I was starting off I got a couple Bs), and I have also learned French for 3 years (outside of school, but I will be taking the french AP in senior year and maybe doing it in school). I volunteer at two different(child-care) places for a total of 3.25 hours every week, have been volunteering with them all year and have been invited to continue until the end of high school. Thus, my total social service hours will be around 300 or so.
I have also sold my art online this year as a sort of business, and have made a good amount of money (about $400). I plan to continue this for the next three years or beyond.

So the colleges I was thinking about were: UC Berkeley, Princeton, Harvard, Georgetown, Univeristy of Chicago, Stanford, Brown. I would like to do something around political science, maybe law, economics, as I’m really enjoying that field currently (but of course I’m only a freshman and have plenty of time to think about it).

Just some ideas, I would appreciate it if someone could tell me roughly if I should keep trying for (any of) these or if I do not have a chance. Also, anything I could work on.

2

You should 100% keep trying for all of the schools on your wish list…and it’s just a wish list at this point but I love that you are even thinking about it as a Freshman. You are on the right track immediately…and learning Chinese even if it’s bringing your GPA down a bit will be a VERY unique aspect to your application and should not be abandoned (maybe even something you can write about in your essays?). Your ECs are fantastic for a person of your age and you show a lot of entrepeneurial spirit. Obviously there are a lot of “x-factors” in the Ivy League world so if you can find/create opportunities that make you stand out. Don’t stress too much…try to enjoy your high school years while still staying focused. Take on leadership opportunities in things you are passionate about…work on your writing skills so your essays kick butt.

3

I think you are doing great, especially because you’re still a freshman. Don’t worry about getting a B in Chinese (I know how hard this language can be). After a while, it will get easier, especially since you know other languages. Keep working on your EC’s, selling your art on the internet, and focus on what you like to do. These things are very important to Ivy Leagues. I wish you the best of luck!

4

Thanks! I definitely will continue to do Chinese, I plan to get a bilingual IB diploma.

5

Do you have a devaintart?

6

Even though you’re a freshman, it’s always nice to have that “wish list” like what @AmyBeth68 said. Remember, a lot of things can change between now and senior year. For me, when I was a freshman, I wanted to apply for UPenn and Columbia. As I got to senior year, my list completely changed, but my academics and EC’s were more than enough to get me into my current school, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. I know that it’s not one of those big-name schools, but I’m perfectly happy with that. Why? Being at a smaller school has given me the chance to succeed more than I have ever imagined for my first two semesters here.

Don’t ever give up on your dreams on getting into a top school. When the going gets rough, think about what’ll come out in the end. Even if you don’t make it in, you’ll definitely get something from a state school. When you make it to senior year, think about what sets you apart from the crowd. If you can find that and point it out to the admissions office, I’d say you’ve got a good shot at getting into that school you want.

Hope this helped and best of luck with high school! Enjoy it while you can!