What are my chances...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>What are my chances of getting into a top school like UC Berkeley, UCLA, Harvard, MIT, etc., given the following information:</p>

<ul>
<li>I'm a sophomore in high school and my weighted GPAs in 9th and 10th grade were 3.65 and around 4.6, respectively.</li>
<li>As of now, my best SAT score has been a 1900 and it will definitely will be much higher next year.</li>
<li>I am very strong in mathematics, approximately 3 years ahead of the normal student.</li>
<li>Because of the lack of my school schedule's academic rigor, I have been taking many classes at a local community college that my school doesn't offer, i.e., Computer Science, Java Programming, Piano, Guitar, and college level math courses such as multi-variable calculus and differential equations.</li>
<li>I am currently the secretary of my school's chess club. Next year I will be the president since the current president and vp will be graduating. I am very passionate about chess and play in tournaments in my city; I am also a member of a local chess club and have been going there weekly to volunteer and to listen to chess lectures.</li>
<li>I have about 50 hours of community service which I obtained from volunteering at the chess club, which I previously stated, and filing books at a local library.</li>
<li>I have been a member of my cities local math circle, or math club, ever since it was first created last year. I also have participated in the AMC 12, or, American Math Competition (for students in 10-12th grade), and scored within the top 10% of all of the students that also took the test.</li>
<li>I have been on my school's tennis team for the past two years and currently am the top junior varsity player, next year, I will definitely play varsity since we will be losing many seniors this year. Last year, I was able to play in a few varsity games due to the absence of players, and my participation helped our team make it to an Invitational tennis tournament which we won.</li>
<li>Next year I will also participate in my school's Academic Decathlon team.</li>
</ul>

<p>If my GPA continues to rise, my SAT scores improve to, let's say 2100+ by the time I'm a junior, and I continue volunteer and show passion and leadership in my hobbies, what do you think my chances are of getting into a top school. Additionally, I am an African-American (I'm not too sure of whether or not this will help me at all)</p>

<p>Thank You.</p>

2

<p>I would really like to hear from you guys. I need your feedback.</p>

3

<p>good chances if you do everything you listed at the bottom… good luck!</p>

4

<p>improve your SATs to over 2250</p>

5

<p>being black will help you alot</p>

6

<p>you should prepare for the ACT as well…a lot of people (myself included) think that it is easier</p>

7

<p>

you didn’t qualify for AIME. that doesn’t exactly show strength in math. when you are applying to top schools, you can’t compare yourself to the “normal student”. I was “7 years ahead” of the normal student (calc in grade 6) but it didn’t help (wasn’t even worth mentioning on my app). everyone learns it eventually. though being Asian probably worked against me greatly there.
GPA and SATs are both too low as well. ECs are nothing special, but they are solid.</p>

<p>but the good news is you have time to improve, and being URM will greatly help you. good luck.</p>

8

<p>your GPA and SAT are a little on the low side for the top schools you mentioned. i think HYPSM are going to be veryyy high reaches for you, even as an URM…because honestly, their acceptance rates are low, and they have the best pools in the nation to choose from
if you can get your SAT scores up and your GPA up, i think you have a good shot at many of the UCs (UCLA, UCI, etc…) berkeley might be a reach only b/c of your SATs
also i agree with zephyr, just taking the AIME isnt that impressive- schools only really pay attention if you qualify and/or are ranked nationally
but you have time to do more :slight_smile: get your scores up, make something on your ECs standout, and you should be able to get into at least a few good schools… GL!</p>