<p>Hi, I just got some test scores back and need to start thinking about where to apply.</p>
<p>SAT- 2170
CR- 680
Math- 740
Writing- 750 w/ 11 on essay</p>
<p>ACT- 33
Reading/Writing/Science- 34
11 on essay
Math- 31
*Math score was a bit uncharacteristic so I'm planning on retaking.</p>
<p>Class rank: top 2% in a class of 787
GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.66 weighted</p>
<p>I participate in extra curriculars and have qualified for National Merit. </p>
<p>Having visited many schools, my "dream school" has to be either UPenn or Princeton. I realize that Ivies are extreeeemely competitive and was wondering if I should apply. Also, what would my chances be with schools like WashU, Duke, Northwestern, etc.?</p>
<p>Last question-- how much do SAT II scores matter? I am planning on taking chem/bio next week but haven't studied since the AP exams :</p>
<p>*I am a Junior attending a public school
Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>Do you have any information on your extra-curriculars/activities? How will your recommendations be? Are you confident about how your essays will be?</p>
<p>Extra Curriculars (current+past):
Speech and Debate- event leader
Science Olympiad- event leader
MockTrial
NHS
Student Government
a couple random clubs</p>
<p>Hopefully I can get two decent recommendations and essay writing is my strength.</p>
<p>Low reach for Northwestern and Duke. High match if you can bring you SAT CR above 700 and get both subject tests 750+. You may still try one or two Ivies. Your chance there is not high though as your EC is rather weak.</p>
<p>Yes, you are in the running, and will likely make the first round of cuts. The big problem from a strategic point of view is that there is nothing that you’ve posted here that the best 5-10,000 of your fellow applicants don’t also possess. Don’t let those 7-15% acceptance rates lure you into complacency – your real competition in the final round are the students nationwide who are in the top 1% or top fraction of 1% and whose applications disproportionately flood into the same 20 schools. </p>
<p>So you need these stats and a “kicker” that makes you stand out from the crowd. For some it’s a national award, for some it’s starting a community service organization to fill a need, for some it’s having a quirky or interesting activity. Know how to juggle chainsaws or do stand-up comedy? You’ll be remembered, and that’s key.</p>
<p>Here’s the end process; try to work backwards from there: your overworked regional rep, sick of reading applications by the hundreds, sees something interesting in your app that makes you memorable. At some point, your regional rep will have 15 seconds in committee to summarize you as a person, make a recommendation and perhaps fight or swap favors to get you in. What can you do and how can you present yourself so that you “come alive” off the page as a person rather than another set of stats? If you can figure that part out in a way that matches your unique combination of features, then you’ll be golden. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! Billcsho- I am planning on retaking the SAT in the fall and aiming for above 2230. What could I do to improve my ec? LoremIpsum- Hmm, that makes this whole process a lot harder haha. I do a lot of volunteer work and work at Kumon but that’s hardly unique. I play violin and draw though, is there potential you see with that?</p>
<p>Also, how much would a quality essay help? I’m really banking on writing as my strength.</p>
<p>bumping this thread!</p>
<p>It is hard to enrich your EC with just a few months before applications. Perhaps you can make good use of this Summer to do some volunteering or community services and a summer intern. Many candidates may have awards at state or national level plus hundreds hours of volunteering that make it easier to show their passion on something.</p>
<p>Retake the SAT and work on your subject tests, they are very important. Ivy admissions are very random, it’s impossible to predict the outcome without reading your application, but I think you have a chance :)</p>
<p>Do you like major city campuses? If so, look into Columbia, Chicago, and Penn. Rural Campuses? Go with Dartmouth, Cornell, and Princeton. </p>
<p>Do you want to do ibanking, consulting, earn your PhD? This all fits into the bigger picture.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who’s posted!
billcsho- I do volunteer work and will be aiding an English class in China. But the state-level awards have only been won as a team, not individually. Also, where do you put this kind of stuff on the common app?
1223334444- What do you think is a good SAT/SATII subject test score? I’m taking bio and chem SATII’s tomorrow and am rather nervous haha
friedman- We’ve gone to visit all of those schools aside from Dartmouth and Chicago. I tend to lean towards the rural campuses :)</p>
<p>Just an update, I got Subject Test scores back:
740 Chem
760 Bio
Feedback would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Your SAT2 scores are right at the border line for Ivies. Your ACT is fine. Do give it a try.</p>