<p>I am 16 and a male African American senior from the United States Virgin Islands. I've only taken the SAT once (may take it again) and have yet to take any subject tests.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.7 on 4.0 scale
SAT: 1920; CR:640 M:600 W:680</p>
<p>Course load consisted of a mix of AP (Music Theory {5 on Exam}, English Language {4 on Exam}, English Literature, Biology) and Honors Courses</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:</p>
<p>Plays/Musicals at Pistarckle Theatre
Student Council (President and Founder)
Symphonic Band (1st Chair Clarinet Section Leader)
Marching Band (Clarinet Section Leader)
Graffiti Street Teen Talk Show (Treasurer and Host)
French Club (Secretary)
National Honor Society
Junior Class Council (Treasurer)
Piano Teacher
Moot Court Team
Junior Statesmen of America</p>
<p>Awards:</p>
<p>John Phillip Sousa Band Award
2nd Place Laws of Life Essay Contest
Principal's Award for Academic Excellence (2 years in a row)
Iowa Scholastic Test Honoree</p>
<p>Talents:</p>
<p>Vocal, Piano, Clarinet, Flute, Steel Pan</p>
<p>Colleges:</p>
<p>Amherst College
Boston College
Claremont McKenna Colllege
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
Northwestern University
Occidental College
Syracuse University
University of Chicago
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Vassar College
Williams College</p>
<p>If you plan to major in music, as eak pointed out, then you’ll need to show that you are either exceptionally good at playing music or have composed a piece played by an orchestra and band. Either way, you’ll need a recording. Even though you are African American and that does count as a URM hook, your stats in general still will not get you into the Ivies and put you at reach at Northwestern, U of Chicago, UNC and Williams. Do you have a rank, by the way?</p>
<p>I actually plan on majoring in International Relations and Theatre. And I don’t know my rank right now but the last I checked it was in the top 10% of my class at #17. And what is URM?</p>
<p>A URM is an under represented minority. It gives you a boost to your application if you are Hispanic, Black, or Native American as colleges try to diversify their student population.</p>
<p>Figured so… And at reach is still a lot better than won’t get in so that’s good because my top choices do lie within my at reach to match pool. Would a 2100+ SAT score (provided I do attain it) make a difference at all? And what are some other schools you think I should look at?</p>
<p>Also, not sure if this matters, but my SAT score is among the highest scores my high school has ever seen, even higher than a friend of mine who graduated and got into both Yale and Harvard. But then again her GPA was outstanding and she took 5 AP classes (our school only offers 8 so I’m not that far off). </p>
<p>If a 1920 is among the highest scores, than that represents either incredible grade inflation or reflects badly upon your school. How did your friend get into Yale and Harvard with under an SAT 2000 though? Student athlete? URM with legacy and low income? Siemens Westinghouse finalist? There’s gotta be a pretty substantial hook in there somewhere.</p>
<p>I thought the same thing and I have no idea. Anyway, would a 2100+ on the Nov SATs make any difference whatsoever? And am I a good candidate for Claremont, Vassar, and Oxy? Those are my reaistic top choices.</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA is out of the normal 4.0 scale where an A is a 4, a B is a 3, etc. Weighted is for AP courses, as well as some honors courses, that gives your GPA a boost. It is out of 5.0. An A is a 5, a B is a 4, etc. You would calculate your GPA the same way as normal, except adding a point for AP/honors courses. I won’t comment on your chances for any of the schools. I’m pretty terrible at that (which is why I’ve got my own thread on here, lol).</p>
<p>Definitely boost those SATs & try the ACT if you can. As a URM, I would say a 2100+ would put you in a very good place for the schools list, but you should aim for at least a 2150 to 2200 to have a very solid shot. Also, work to boost GPA/rank because that has just as much importance as your standardized tests.</p>
<p>The Ivies, Northwestern, UChicago, UNC, Williams & Amherst would definitely all be reaches going by your stats right now. The rest, I would say low-reach to matches. </p>
<p>Thank you much! Actually since then, my rank has gone up to 16. LOL. Can you say {progress}? Haha. I’m retaking the SAT in October (I’m currently enrolled in a very good SAT prep class imo and from what I’ve heard) and 2 subject tests (Lit & Math 1) in Nov. This is pretty irrelevant info though. XD</p>
<p>I don’t know much about some of those colleges because I haven’t looked into them, but I’ll post some chances for the ones I know.</p>
<p>Boston College: Match
Columbia University: Reach (C’mon… it’s an Ivy)
Dartmouth College Low reach (keep the Ivies rolling XD)
Northwestern University: Really high match, but not a reach
University of Chicago: Ahhh I wanna go to UC. High match.</p>