What colleges do you think would be good for me to apply to?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I am a rising Senior from New York. If you guys could give me some advice and opinions about this I would greatly appreciate it. I would greatly appreciate it if you guys could go through the entire thing.</p>

<p>Gender: Female</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Black/African American</p>

<p>Income: $120,000 - 160,000 (Combined Parental Income)
Do you think I have any good chance of receiving financial aid ?</p>

<p>Parents Education:</p>

<p>Mother: Bachelor's Degree</p>

<p>Father: Associate's Degree</p>

<p>Location: New York, USA</p>

<p>High School: Catholic All-Girls High School</p>

<p>GPA: 3.8 or 3.9 Weighted (Unsure of unweighted GPA, Possibly 3.7)</p>

<p>Rank: I am unsure. Top 25%</p>

<p>ACT: 24 Composite (w|o Any preparation or use of review books)
(Plan to Retake in October)</p>

<p>SAT: 1690 with superscore.
( I know its very low but i'm working on trying to increase it as much as I can)
(Plan to Retake in October)</p>

<p>SATII: Math Level 2 - 590
Math Level 1 - 620
Chemistry - 580
Plan to test Chemistry, Math Level 2, and Spanish in November</p>

<p>AP Tests: Chemistry in May 2015
Studio Art in May 2015
Calculus AB in May 2015</p>

<p>Freshman Year Classes: Global I, Living Environment Honors, Integrated Algebra Honors, English 9, Spanish 1, Freshman Religion, Freshman Physical Education, Studio Art, Technology</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Classes: Global 2, Chemistry Honors, Geometry Honors, English 10, Spanish 2, Sophomore Religion, Drawing, Health, Dance</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes: United States History, Physics Honors, Math 11 Accelerated Honors (Alg2/Trig/PreCalc), Advanced Computer Applications, English 11, Spanish 3 Honors, Junior Religion, Painting Honors, Junior Physical Education</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes: Law and Economics Honors (Receiving College Credit), AP Chemistry, AP Calculus AB, English Literature, Senior Religious Studies, AP Studio Art, Graphic Art Design, Senior Physical Education, First Aid</p>

<p>My resume:</p>

<p>Activities Art Club, President ’15 09/2013 - Present
African Heritage/Caribbean Club, Secretary ‘14 09/2013 - Present
Yearbook Committee 09/2013 - Present
Medical Unlimited Club, President ‘15 09/2012 - Present
Concentration in Art 09/2012 - Present
Saturday Arabic Classes 07/2001 - Present
Junior Spirit Night T-Shirt Designer 01/2014 - 03/2014
Junior Spirit Night Step & Cheer Captain 01/2014 - 03/2014
Sophomore Spirit Night Step & Cheer Captain 01/2013 - 03/2013
Freshman Spirit Night Step & Cheer Participant 01/2012 - 03/2012
Adopt-a-Grandparent Club 09/2011 - 05/2012</p>

<p>High School National Honor Society, Member 10/2013 - Present
Awards & National Society of High School Scholars, Member 06/2013 - Present
Honors Academic Honor Roll, First Honors 12/2011 - Present</p>

<p>Work Mount Sinai St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital., New York, NY 07/2014 - 08/2014
Experience Food and Nutrition Services Intern, 1199SIEU Youth Mentoring Program</p>

<pre><code> Forward Transportation Services, Inc., Jamaica, NY 01/2013 - Present
Treasurer, Board of Directors
</code></pre>

<p>Volunteer Experience<br>
Saturday Arabic Classes Assistant Teacher 07/2012 - Present<br>
Tutor, Children’s Discovery Center Homework Help Program 10/2013 - 05/2014
Peer Tutor, Chemistry 10/2012 - 03/2014
Open House Volunteer, Tour Guide & Art Major Volunteer 10/2013 & 01/2014 10/2012 & 0/21013<br>
Office Volunteer, Clerical Work 09/2011 - 02/2012
Volunteer, Adopt-a-Grandparent Club 09/2011 - 05/2012</p>

<p>Weaknesses: Tests, Poor subject tests scores, No AP scores, No Sports.</p>

<p>Strengths: Unweighted and Weighted GPA, Activities. Connection with teachers. A leader within our school.</p>

<p>Letters of recommendation: Guidance Counselor, Math 11 Accelerated Honors Teacher, Physics Honors Teacher, 1199 Youth Mentoring Program Department Supervisor</p>

<p>I would like to know which schools would be appropriate in accordance to these statistics and resume. I'm constantly searching for other resumes to match mine but this would help me better locate things I need before I apply.</p>

<p>I'm working on test scores and trying to get a good score. What score would be enough to get in and a good scholarship for both ACT and SAT?</p>

<p>This is pretty much everything that I have done over my high school years. I would really appreciate it if you guys told me what you thought, and what I can do to increase my chances. Thank you so much.</p>

<p>If you have any questions please fire away.</p>

<p>Majors of Interest: Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Medicine, BS/MD Programs
Career Goal: Pediatrician or Pediatric Surgeon</p>

2

<p>BS/MD programs are extremely competitive – and your test scores don’t currently make you a viable candidate for them. My suggestion would be to meet w/your guid counselor and see what students of similar academic achievement have been successfully admitted to in the past. This gives you a base set of schools to consider. Then expand from there. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Your test scores are undeniably the weakest link in an otherwise strong resume. They do not automatically disqualify you from admission to most colleges, nevertheless. You should definitely look at some test-optional colleges, but I think you have excellent admission chances at most SUNY and CUNY campuses. Once you venture beyond the uppermost tier of Ivy League and other super-selective colleges, your prospects are solid. Do you want a large college, or small one? Most four-year schools offer the necessary curriculum for pre-med studies. The combined programs tend to be more selective. I would also recommend some of the historically-black and women’s colleges. Do you want to remain in the Northeast, or are you willing to travel?</p>

4

<p>@woogzmama‌ @T26E4‌ Thank you for the advice. I am working on improving my test scores and I’m not interested in many CUNY or SUNY. The only SUNY school I am considering are Stony Brook and possibly Binghamton. College sizes are not that important to me as long as they have the programs I’m interested in, but i suppose I’d prefer or medium-sized or small school. The historically black colleges that I am considering is Spelman and Howard. That’s about it. I am willing to travel to NJ, MA, D.C., GA, FL, and maybe CA. </p>

<p>A current list of perspective colleges are below:</p>

<p>Boston University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Drexel University
Emory University
Howard University
Johns Hopkins University
New York University
Sienna college
Barnard College
Spelman College
SUNY Stony Brook University</p>

<p>What do you think my chances are for these schools? Can you recommend any others?</p>

5

<p>Columbia is a very, very long shot, since you are from NYC, and they draw lots of talented minority students from the region. Barnard might not be quite as tough, but I’d consider it, Cornell, and Hopkins big reaches, nevertheless. The combined BS/MD program at BU is very selective, and probably a big reach. Otherwise, BU and NYU are moderate reaches with your current scores, and would be high matches if your scores go up significantly. I’m not sure about Emory, but I think it’s also a reach. Siena is probably a match; Spelman, Howard, Suny are high matches. Drexel might be a match, too, unless you hope for merit aid. I’d add some quirkier choices, especially test-optional ones. You have so much to offer; I would hate to see you held back by disappointing scores. I would add Temple, Agnes Scott, Fairleigh-Dickinson, Drew, Mount Holyoke, Wheaton (MA, not IL), Eckerd, New College of FL, University of Miami, Clark, and American to your list of possibilities. Some might not appeal to you, but they have a range of selectivity levels, and all offer good undergraduate preparation.</p>

6

<p>You mentioned financial aid. With your parents’ current income level, I would not expect a ton of financial aid, but you can check using the net price calculator (NPC) on each college’s website. Run a few of the schools on your list with your parents (they will need to enter some information from their tax returns), and see what the expected family contribution (EFC) is. If your parents cannot afford the EFC, then the school is probably financially out of reach. Approximately how much can your parents afford to spend each year on college?</p>

<p>Regarding admissions chances, has your guidance counselor indicated she will check off the “most rigorous course load” box for you? If not, you are kind of sunk for admission to Emory, Columbia, Cornell and JHU. And have you been taking practice tests for the ACT/SAT? Around where have you been scoring?</p>

7

<p>@butterfreesnd‌ They are willing to spend whatever is needed, but prefer that I pay in lump sum with scholarships and/or aid.</p>

8

<p>(I’m sure you took Biology as a freshman but it’s not on your resume. Just an fyi.)</p>

<p>As you know, your test scores so far are the weak link in an interesting and strong profile. If I were you, I would get an ACT or SAT tutor, even if you have to hold your nose and pay more than you’d like. Of course they can’t do the work for you, but sometimes a tutor can really help a lot esp in terms of teaching you HOW to take the test. In the meantime you need to be carving out hours during your weekend and taking lots of practice tests. After you score the tests, go over your wrong answers and figure out what you’re getting wrong. Study what you need to know. This is a lot of work while you’re also keeping up those senior grades, but it will be worth it if you can really boost those scores. You can take them again after October if necessary, assuming you’re doing RD admissions. However, if you’re not having luck improving scores there are increasing numbers of great schools that are test optional. There’s a list here: <a href=“http://blog.■■■■■■■■■■/blog/test-optional-colleges/”>http://blog.■■■■■■■■■■/blog/test-optional-colleges/&lt;/a&gt; and also a longer list at Fairtest. </p>

<p>As far as choosing schools, you can narrow it down a lot if you first think about what you want, rather than where you can get in. There are thousands of great colleges in the US, and there are definitely a whole bunch which would be a good fit for a student like you. So you need to think first about what’s a deal maker/breaker for you. Do you want a strong Greek presence (sororities) or none, do you need a marching band, vegan food, a student run radio station, strong intramural sports?..what is most important to you? make that list. Then think about campus size and climate (not weather!) – you can read about this and experience different atmospheres by visiting schools. Do you prefer a strong required core or an open curriculum? Is your faith important to you and do you want fellowship on campus? All these things make a big difference in your overall experience at college so take ownership of that process. Once you know more of what you want, you can create a list that includes colleges that are a good fit for you, culturally and academically. </p>

<p>If your school college counselor is knowledgable s/he can help with this process and if you use Naviance, you can look at the acceptance histories for students from your school. If your counselor is overworked or doesn’t make enough time, there are lots of books and resources online with admissions advice. For help with your essays, I love the approach of Carol Barash who runs the Story to College website and published a book called Write Out Loud. All my kids used her book and their results could not have been better. Don’t be afraid to ask an adult you know to read your essays and make sure you devote time to editing process.</p>

<p>You have a lot of Universities on your list. I suggest you look also at Liberal Arts Colleges. I’m sure you can borrow a book from your HS counselor or start here for overviews: <a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-liberal-arts-colleges&lt;/a&gt;. Ignore the rankings and read for content. Once you know what you want and are looking for schools that are a good match for you in terms of admission, keep an eye out for colleges where your URM status and any other aspect represents desirable diversity for them. Even geographic diversity can give an application a boost for some schools. </p>

<p>Lastly, if you think you could be happy at a woman’s college, I think they are an incredible opportunity for young women; single sex education has proven advantages for women and the admissions are much less selective because they only have half the applicants relative to coed schools. So school like Bryn Mawr, Smith, Mt Holyoke are all in the 50+% range for selectivity. Scripps, Barnard and Wellesley are more selective than that, but also engage in very holistic admissions process. An Admissions director at Middlebury told us he sent 2 of his 3 daughters to Smith and advised us to go visit! HBC are similar to women’s colleges in that they can be better than the admissions #s look. But again it’s a question of fit, so do as many visits as you can, as well as college fairs, research, off campus interviews, etc. </p>

<p>This is a long response, but you took the time to type out your resume so I thought you deserved a thorough reply; take what you need and leave the rest…and best of luck to you!!! </p>

<p>(Let us know how it’s going as you progress through the fall!)</p>