What do you guys think? Are top schools within reason?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey guys, it’s second semester of my junior year and I have delved into the college search. I have done a significant amount of research through the internet. I’ve always had big dreams in regards to college and career. Currently I am leaning towards studying math or science (biology and chemistry areas) as well as music (as a minor; I play the violin). I am intrigued by big cities (like NYC, Chicago, and Boston).

Current GPA: 3.83 UW, 3.93 W, in top 10%
I attend a school which contains approximately 2,000 students and runs on a block schedule (4 classes per day, each class lasts one semester)

9th grade schedule:
Orchestra (A)
Algebra II (A)
Pre-Calculus (A)
Pre-AP Biology (A)
Pre-AP World History (A)
Pre-AP English (A)
Health/Wellness (A)

*Earned school wide math student of the year award.
*Was a section leader/concertmaster in orchestra.

10th grade schedule:
Chamber Orchestra (A)
Orchestra (A)
AP Calculus AB (B)
AP Calculus BC (B, but an A in the last quarter)
AP Human Geography (A)
Spanish 1 (A)
Pre-AP World Literature (A)
Spanish 2/3

*I independently studied Spanish 2 and 3 simultaneously because my Spanish teacher thought I was doing exceptionally well in Spanish 1
*I was promoted to the top orchestra in school (skipped the intermediate one)
*Chamber orchestra met as a class before official school start time.
*I earned a 5 on the AP Calc BC test, and a 5 on the AB sub-score. I earned a 4 on the AP Human Geography test.

11th grade first semester schedule:
Junior Year First Semester:
Chamber Orchestra (A)
Orchestra (A)
Calculus III (D)
AP United States History (A)
Advanced Chemistry (A, and then a B second quarter)

11th grade second semester schedule (currently taking):
Chamber Orchestra
Orchestra
AP Language and Composition
AP Chemistry
Spanish 4

*Currently heavily involved in orchestra leadership team as well as being a principal player/section leader
*Earned a D in the first quarter of Calculus III and then dropped after the first quarter. I used my off period primarily to help work with the lower level orchestras

Expected Senior Year Schedule:
Chamber Orchestra
Orchestra
AP Physics or AP Statistics
AP Biology
AP Macro/microeconomics
AP Government
AP Literature and Composition
AP Spanish 5

*Expected ACT score (based on some individual practice and PLAN test): 30-33+
*Plan to take Math II and Chemistry SAT II Subject Tests

Extracurricular/Summer Activities/Achievements:
*Volunteer with disabled children since summer of 9th grade (kind of random, but allows me to be social, has taught me many lessons, and I love it)
*Mu Alpha Theta since 10th grade (member in 10th grade, treasurer 11th grade, expected to be president next year)
*Finalist in regional math contest (10th grade)
*National Honor Society (member 11th grade, officer position is highly probably next year)
*Spanish Club (joined this year, heavily involved member invited to attend officer meetings)
*Accepted into regional honor orchestra
*Summer school to fill graduation requirements (have taken/will take Humanities, PE 1, PE 2, and Career and Financial Planning)
*Take Private Violin Lessons (have played for almost seven years)
*Math Tutor/ Violin Instructor
*Interested in Herpetology (fascinated since 4th grade, have had many pet reptiles)
*Link Crew officer
*Interested in science because of some independent science fair projects I conducted on microbiology/bio-med at a local university lab during middle school (got some very good experience, developed an interest, won several awards)

I’m from CO. My family’s annual income is very low, which can be very limiting sometimes. Right now I am looking at Columbia, NYU, UPenn, Northeastern University, University of Chicago, and some in-state schools. Is my GPA (especially that D in Calc III) a deal breaker to applying to top schools? If so, would it be reasonable to apply as a math major, even though my lowest grades are in math classes? I want to try and take a summer Calc III course at a local university to further pursue my interest in math and sort of prove that my low grade wasn’t because the material was over my head (I won’t retake it at school because of the teacher). Does this all seem like a good idea? Also this summer, I plan on taking Career and Financial Planning in summer school, participating in 1 or 2 summer music programs, and continuing to volunteer (which becomes very heavily-involved over the summer, helping with day camps 1-3 times per week throughout the summer).

Honest opinions would be great–but try not to be too harsh, please. I would appreciate any suggestions as far as the rest of high school goes, as well as other colleges to look into. I might have forgotten to include some things, so feel free to ask questions. Also, I know it might be difficult to judge because I don’t have actual test scores yet.

Thank you!

2

It’s no point chancing anyone if one doesn’t have a real ACT/SAT score.
Take SAT/ACT and SAT II tests(make sure to read the colleges’ requirements) and come back.

Other than that,raise that GPA first, at least weighted 4.1 or 4.2(although it seems difficult)
I would suggest you concentrate on music, language and math activities, or anything you are really into doing.

What is your race?(it will make some significant impact, like if you are Asian, then it will be harder in science majors)
How much can you afford per month?

What safety schools do you have in mind? Look into schools that will give some significant amount of easy merit scholarships, In the future, if you make it to NMF and/or have over 32+ ACT or 1400 SATM math+cr with 3.5 GPA, you will get full tuition or possibly even more(if you are NMF) in University of Alabama.
Or at Howards University, you will get full tuition+ room

3

In short the answer to your question is no its not a deal breaker. The fact that you scored a 5 on the Calc BC test sophomore year is impressive, and if you get an A in Calc 3 you can turn it into a story of determination especially if you apply as a math major. On another note if your family’s income is really that low make sure to request fee waivers from the college board/ common app for testing and applications. As far as other schools I would just be open to going to a top 100 research university in various places in the country because although the prestige of the name brands are nice its really what you make out of it and some schools hand out merit aid like crazy.

4

NYU is very expensive. There are a lot of great schools out there where you will do well without accumulating as much student debt.

5

I realize that it is difficult to predict from now, but I just wanted to get some pointers/thoughts, especially because I have to choose my senior year schedule next week and summer program application deadlines are quickly approaching.

Most of my college research so far has centered around big cities. It’s kind of hard to miss the prestigious schools, so those are the ones that I have looked up the most. I have looked at the general statistics for each school, the majors offered, the campus, and the typical lifestyle of a student. They all have programs I am interested in. I know that NYU would most likely be financially difficult, but I’m so in love with the lifestyle and campus that I don’t want to rule it out quite yet.

Also, I am a white female.

Thanks everyone!

6

I don’t think that getting into prestigous universities will be a problem for you but from the sounds of it paying for it might be. I think you should look for in state schools (I believe school of the mines is good for math and science) or depending on your ACT try for an Ivy League school like brown or Cornell who will offer you a nice financial aid package. Also I would look into state schools who offer scholarships to students who meet certain requirements (usually about a 3.5 gpa and 32+ ACT)

7

I have looked at state schools (School of Mines, CSU, and CU) and plan on applying to them. I am okay with the fact that I could likely go to one of those schools, but I am very intrigued by going out of state to explore a little. I haven’'t really looked at Brown or Cornell, other than the loads of mail I have received from Brown. Columbia has been my dream since I was younger, because f the city and the academic setting, from what I have read about. I don’t know if I would enjoy going to somewhere like Alabama more so than just attending an in state school. I could use some pointers on applying for scholarships and looking at financial aid. I’ve been looking at and now considering applying for Questbridge, does that seem like a good idea?

8

APPLY for QB. It never hurts to try, right?

Make sure to look into colleges with generous amount of merit aid.

9

Alright, will do. Thank you! Any other suggestions or comments appreciated!

10

Do you think going to a tippy top school like Harvard would do anything for you over going to a fine school like Columbia or UPenn?

Did your folks go to college?

11

Haha if you’re looking for merit aid, Alabama will give scholarships to just about anyone who can sign their name. Now I jest but on a more serious note, Alabama is VERY generous with financial aid, and from what I’ve heard, has a feel that isn’t entirely southern. The largest OOS population from any state is from Illinois and around half of the student population if OOS. Campus has a very urban feel to it but as you have already dismissed the UofA, I digress. If you are looking for a big city and a prestigious university, you are really spoiled for choice. Vanderbilt is in Nashville if you think that is big enough, and campus is a green patch in the middle of the city. The reason I mentioned Vanderbilt in particular is that not only have I experienced them to be one of the most generous upper echelon research universities with financial aid, but also that Nashville is a city built on music, and not just country music either, Nashville had a very wide array of styles, genres, and artists with classical music as no exception. Clearly you have dabbled in that department just a tad, but if you are looking for a financially generous, math/science strong, high quality research university with absolutely abhorrent amounts of music opportunities, I would definitely look at Vandy. UChicago is good with financial aid and extremely math/sciences focused as well, although campus is further from downtown and its less than stellar reputation for those seeking a good time, fondly nicknamed by students,“where fun goes to die”. It would also be kind of a reach even from the top of your projected ACT range, although their admissions tend to look for the quirky intellectual type rather than the straight genius. JHU in Baltimore is math/science heavy. Other schools that might interest you are Emory in Atlanta, and Tulane in New Orleans, but those can both bad about FA although not as bad as NYU. Merit aid is also a possibility at Tulane with a 32+ ACT or maybe even lower, and Tulane is also very math/science heavy with its medical focus. Also ample music opportunity there in NOLA, although I’m rambling and have been for quite some time so I’ll just say thanks for chancing and good luck!

12

JustOneDad, I’m not sure that I completely understand your question about Harvard vs. Columbia and UPenn. I am interested in Columbia and UPenn because I have looked into them and they have majors, programs, and location that I like.

Hertzog, Vanderbilt seems intriguing so I think I’ll definitely look into it–I’ve gotten some mail from them and they look like one of the more interesting colleges. As for UChicago, I have looked into it a lot; I have done online research and I have spoken with a representative. I don’t mind a school that’s not considered fun; I am probably equal parts introvert and extrovert. So long as I can make some friends/meet new people and be able to get out and explore when I have some time, I’ll probably be fine. Hopefully I can get a really good score on the ACT. I am taking a formal practice test tomorrow, so that can give me a better indication of how I will actually do. The 28-32 prediction comes from the PLAN test which I took while on roughly 4 hours of sleep (didn’t even read most of the passages because I was so tired haha).

Thanks guys!

13

@XA1234‌ have you researched Barnard College at Columbia University?