What are my chances/what else can I do?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Thank you in advance! I am a junior at a smaller parochial school (class size is ~155). I am a female, caucasian (any disadvantage to that?) and I have a 4.0 unweighted, 4.61 weighted GPA, tied for 1st in my class. I have taken the most rigorous course load offered by my school; my schedule this year was AP Biology, AP US History, AP Psych, AP Lit and Comp 1, Honors Theology, French 3 (self study for credit) and Honors Advanced Math. Next year, I will take AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Lit and Comp 2, AP Physics, French 4 (self study for credit), and blow off classes required for graduation.
Test scores:
2220 SAT (740 CR/730 M/750 W/ 10 E) (~33 ACT) which I plan on taking again
31 ACT Composite, 33 in everything, but 27 science hurt. I took it in April and definitely improved overall and especially in science by at least 5/6 points. </p>

<p>ECs:
Varsity tennis 3 years (our team ranked top 16 in the state this year) Swimming 3 years, Lacrosse 1 year, Debate 3 years (state qual, cfl bid, nfl alternate), Model UN, Service Club, French Club, English Festival, HOBY Leadership Conference, local youth leadership program
Awards: NHS, debate placings, Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior Scholarship awards for high honors, Alumni scholarship, various rotary awards
Volunteer work:
Organized a school team for Walk for Autism Speaks, 50+ hours at a local autism center, hospital volunteer, many hours from NHS and Service Club<br>
I am taking the Bio, US history, and Math 1 SAT IIs in May and plan on taking the Math 2, Literature, and World History SAT II tests in September, as well as the AP Bio, History, and Psych tests in May.
I am having a little trouble in the college process, as my guidance counselors are truly subpar and expectations for my school are to graduate and attend the local university or an in-state non-selective alternative. They have given me little advice in what schools seem reasonable for me to apply to, so that's why I need you're help! On my list so far, I have three Ivies as reach schools (probably Columbia, Princeton and Stanford/Yale), Georgetown, ND, WashU, NYU, UC Berkley, Pomona, Carnegie Mellon, and Pitt, OSU, and UMichigan as backups. </p>

<p>Besides improving my test scores, which I know need work, do I have a chance for admittance into the schools I have listed if I continue on an upward trend? And what else could I do to improve my chances then?</p>

2

<p>Here are my questions for you:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>What are your key academic interests? Do you have an idea for a college major? If so, perhaps, you can pursue some ec’s or summer activities that align with your intended major.</p></li>
<li><p>Would you be comfortable stepping up into a leadership role in some of your ec’s?</p></li>
<li><p>Try to do something “worthwhile” this summer- like something that is meaningful to you and speaks to your heart… It does not need to be some impressive academic endeavor… maybe a passion that you can share with younger kids?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Your stats sound like you’re a busy, talented, self motivated young lady! Also, check with your parents on any cost limitations in your choice of schools.</p>

3

<p>What state are you from? Can you afford to be full pay at the OOS publics?</p>

<p>Ivies will be quite a reach unless yours is the unusual parochial school that regularly sends many kids. The ECs aren’t there and scores are just average.</p>

<p>You are the type of student that would really benefit by applying ED if funding permits. Gtown, WashU or CMU would be good choices. NYU looks like a good bet ED or RD.</p>

4

<p>Well I just got my April ACT Score today, 35 composite (34/35/36/34). Going to ND definitely over the summer for the Engineering Program. For majors, I’m looking at either an engineering path (biomedical/petroleum) or a double major in neuroscience and a social science for a pre-med track. I love working with kids, and I will volunteer at the hospital and the autism center again this summer. Mission trip to appalachia in June, and hopefully organizing a sister school mission trip with my school in the fall.</p>

5

<p>You need to start with “What can my family afford?” Not “Where can I get in?”</p>

<p>Many of the schools you listed do not offer merit money, only financial aid. Sit with your parents and run the Net Price Calculators at each school. The Ivies are very generous, but near impossible for you to get in. UC Berkerly and NYU are dismissal for most students. Pitt accepts on a rolling basis and I would urge you to get that application in early - even before any ED if you opt to go ED.</p>

<p>If money is an issue, be aware, for your scores, Alabama offers merit that would cover full tuition. Take a look at schools like Alabama were the merit is guaranteed and not competitive with extra essays and scholarship weekends. Also, many of the Jesuit colleges are generous.</p>

<p>I LOVE Pomona, but it looks out of place on your list since all your other schools are larger and mainly Universities. Pomona is almost as difficult as the Ivies.</p>

<p>The acceptances for the class of 2012 were some of the lowest rates ever. Please start your list by selecting schools which are both a financial and admit safety. </p>

<p>Try and focus your ECs be highlighting all services ECs together.</p>

<p>Ask you counselor if your school uses Naviance. Ours does not, so my kid has been looking at the Parchment website. Your school’s Naviance will be the best indicator.</p>

<p>Congrats on your 35!</p>

6

<p>Thanks everyone. By the way, I am from the great state of Ohio!! Money is not really a factor, I’m just looking for the best fit school and education possible.</p>

7

<p>How about Duke if you want to major in biomedical?</p>

8

<p>Or Johns Hopkins?</p>