<p>Hi everyone! I'm about to be a junior at a small private school in Meridian, MS. I really want to go to Duke, Vanderbilt, and at least apply to Yale and maybe Harvard. I have about a 3.9 GPA (they don't tell us our exact GPA's until our senior year) on a regular scale. At my school, if you take honors or AP classes, you are graded on a 5.0 scale instead of a 4.0 scale so I have a 4.9 GPA at my school. I'm taking all Honors classes and the one AP class offered in junior year. I made a 30 on the ACT, but I'm taking it again. I haven't taken the SAT, but I am at the next testing time. I am on the dance team, part of a social service club, and Vice-pres. of the student council. I am also in the Beta Club, mock trial team, and I was the elementary section editor of the school newspaper in 9th grade. I wasn't on the newspaper in 10th grade because of scheduling conflicts, but hope to be editor this year. I love drawing and painting. I can also play the piano. I know the essay is the part of the application for you to stand out as an individual, but based on this info., what are my chances at any of the schools I mentioned?</p>
<p>First of all, I'm happy to chance you, but I'll tell you I'm not an admissions officer, so I'm not accurate. I'm telling you stuff based on what I know. Also, can you chance me too: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/538677-please-chance-me-i-d-really-really-appreciate.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/538677-please-chance-me-i-d-really-really-appreciate.html</a></p>
<p>Your GPA is strong, but make sure you take the SAT Subject test, because those schools you're applying do require SAT Subjects. (yes more money for the evil College Board!) You seem to do a few activities, but you seem to enjoy them. Convey your passions in your essay, because the essay is very important. Your ACT is a bit weak, so I'd say bump it up by 2 points and you're in decent shape. </p>
<p>Assuming you get the 32+ on the ACT, </p>
<p>Yale and Harvard - high reaches
Duke and Vanderbilt - reach/slight reach</p>
<p>Make sure you have a few state schools as safeties, and good luck! This year will be brutal in the college admissions game. You're already a little ahead by being part of CC. Welcome to CC btw!</p>
<p>I am taking the ACT again at least once more maybe twice b/c I know I can do better. I am planning on taking the SAT subject tests. I am really glad that you can tell I enjoy my ec's. I know that colleges like that more than doing lots of stuff just to get in. I hope I can convey how much I really like everything that I do in the essay.</p>