Hello everyone, I’ve been trying to gather some information on how I can maximize my chances in getting into an Ivy league school despite my circumstances in life.
First of all, I’m a U.S. citizen, I come from a working-class background, both my parents did not graduate high school nor saw the value that an education can provide unfortunately. As a young teen I had little support and encouragement growing up.I did terrible my freshman year had flunked first quarter then I got sent to continuation high school my junior year to make up credits. The high school I went to had many bad influences and low funding/standards. I had to drop out of continuation high school my senior year to work to support myself in 2016. I was very ambitious, curious and stubborn. I was hanging out with the wrong crowd and made unwise decisions at the time. Both my parents were unable to provide for me unfortunately at 17-18 years of age . After 2 years of working in minimum wage factory jobs I needed to turn things around not only for myself but for my family and my legacy on this earth. Now 20 years old, I decided I left the labor force and enrolled into adult high school education center to get my high school diploma.
In continuation high school my GPA was 3.5., I did not take my SAT junior year. Also, I took basic classes.
Now learned from many mistakes has made me wiser. I can work hard 14-18 hours a day if necessary. I’m not very talented but I am very driven. I have decided if I’m going to go to college why not go to an Ivy League school despite the statistics/resources and effort required to get in. Realistically my chances would be almost impossible but I have this vision where I can see myself already there. Even if I did get rejected I would have the secondary option of less selective schools and the pride for doing my best.
I have been looking everywhere for answers from schools, peers, counselor (doubted me), teachers (shocked).
So my question is ‘What do I need to do now to get into one of the Ivy Leagues in the future?’
(No matter what it costs, what it takes, how long it takes, where its at, how difficult it is, how unrealistic it is, or whatever.)
If you took the time to read this far, I would like to thank you.
Why the obsession with the Ivy League? Ivy and equivalent schools have an acceptance rate of under 10% and routinely have to turn down students with perfect grades in rigorous classes, perfect standardized tests, fantastic recommendations, amazing extracurricular activities etc. I fear that by focusing on Ivy schools you are setting yourself up for disappointment.
In addition the focus on all Ivy schools makes no sense – the schools are very different in terms of location, focus, vibe etc. It is unlikely that the same person woudl want to attend all of the schools – unless he/she was looking for prestige over fit.
I don’t want to discourage you, but I want you to look at the big picture realistically. First step is to study hard for the standardized tests and do your absolute best. When you get your SAT score honestly asses your academic stats (including GPA, standardized tests, course rigor) as well as your financial needs and apply to a wide range of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (you will have to run a net price calculator for each school you consider) and that you would be happy to attend. It might also make sense for you to start at a CC. You need to expand your horizons and recognize that there are many wonderful schools out there that can get where you want to go in life.
Congratulations on your determination and hard work and good luck moving forward.
Would replacing “Ivy league” with “elite college” be fine with you?
Because strictly speaking there are many elite schools that aren’t among the “8” in the Ivy league, and the 8 are totally different.
First, you need to keep working. That GPA needs to include almost all A’s. You also need to be taking the hardest classes available to you - not sure if your school offers honors or AP classes (or AICE, CIS…, or dual enrollment opportunities)? If it doesn’t, you need to ask what opportunities exist to do so (often that means dual enrollment).
Second, you must start working on standardized testing. Practice, practice, practice. Standardized means the type of question is standard. Kind of like, after you’ve driven a lot, you recognize how a car works even if it’s a new model because most elements are standardized. So, the more you practice questions the more you categorize them, the more you categorize them the more you recognize what category they’re part of, and the more you recognize the catagory the more you know how to get the answer. Do that till it’s automatic for each category of question. Use Khan Academy, Erica Melzer for English and Reading, take every opportunity to work on algebra, geometry, and trig.
Third, were you a foster youth or a ward of the state when your parents stopped caring for you? Because that changes how you’ll be treated for financial aid purpose. (Do you know where your parents are? Are you still in contact?)
Fourth, what state do you live in? Because your situation is different depending on whether you live in Virginia or California, on the one hand, or on the other hand Illinois or Pennsylvania.
Congratulations on your drive and motivation. Stay focused and this website will try to help you.
“What do I need to do now to get into one of the Ivy Leagues in the future”
My personal opinion: You best bet to ever attend an Ivy League or equivalent school is to do your very best for the remainder of high school, go to a very good in-state public school that you can afford, do very well (nearly straight A’s) through all of your undergraduate years (through getting a Bachelor’s), and plan to apply to Ivy League or equivalent schools for a Master’s degree.
I agree with the above posts about state schools or community colleges.
CC is filled with success stories of those who transferred from a state school or community college to a competitive 4-year school. Search is your friend.
In your community college or state school, if you work like crazy to get all A’s, and become very involved in activities on campus, and show your grit , then you can expect 4-year schools to look at your transfer application seriously.
I make the above statement with all sincerity. It worked for me.
Your next step should most likely be in your public university system (except perhaps in a few states like Pennsylvania which are particularly expensive for low income students).
However, there is one possibility – if you happen to live in the Boston area and can make the finances work out – look into Harvard Extension School. (Don’t do the online option or any other online college degree, it’s usually not worth it if you can’t attend class in person.)
But, whatever you decide to do, focus on learning stuff and getting a degree in a quick and affordable fashion. Don’t get hung up on the “brand name” of the college.
Tell us where you live and hopefully someone will know of some good options near you.
But what you’re telling is the dream, not how you now qualify. If you look at any tippy top colleges’ web sites, you’ll see the first things that matter are rigorous courses, grades, and std test scores. You brought yourself to 3.5, back in the continuing hs. Most successful applicants will have 4.0. You said “basic classes,” the competition will have more challenging. And you haven’t taken the std tests.
Are you now finishing the hs degree? What’s that involve?
You, like many, are looking at the opportunity and admit chances. The adcoms will look for proofs you can thrive in their highly competitive courses, for 4 years. That’s the record you actually present, not just what goal you can envision. For any applicant, we’d be frank: it takes a superior record, at a “most demanding” level of clases, with high scores, to get the admit.
And that doesn’t even start to cover the extracurriculars.
Seriously, aim for excellence in your record-- not excellence in the college’s reputation. Go to whatever undergrad you can get into and afford and dominate your 4 years there. Then think grad school. Then, you have the record, the proof, the experience and more. More than stars in your eyes.
