What do you think?

<p>Hello-
I am a high school junior with some concerns about my college admission. First, I will start with the fact that I am greatly interested in business and finance. I am a white male from Colorado, with an annual income of around $60,000. <em>Will be the 2nd child in college.
Weighted GPA: 4.0 (by the end of 2nd semester Senior year, 4.14)
UWGPA: 3.53 (By the end of 2nd semester senior year, 3.58)
My grades have had a steady upward trend in every semester throughout high school.</em>
I go to a high school given the rank of "A" by coloradoschoolgrades.com
I rank in the top 25% in my class.
My high school is one of 40 in the nation that offers a High School of Business. This is a program in which a student may take a certain track of courses rough out high school and then receive a diploma from a high school of business. I am enrolled in this program, and have received "With Distinction" recognition on all tests.
Have not taken then SAT or ACT yet.*
PLAN: 29, projected 32 on the ACT
PSAT: 188 (I know, poor...)
Not many AP's. Taking AP Lit this year, AP Macroeconomics next year.
Senior Year Course Load:
Principles of Business Strategies/Business Management
Marketing 3 (highest offered)
AP Macroeconomics
Business Internship (At local Credit Union)
Senior Literature and Composition (if fulfills my communications requirement, which AP would not. I do not have room to take the communications credit on top of this course load)
Advanced Physics
AP Calculus AB</p>

<p>I have taken through Spanish 4.5 (this is focused of conversation and composition, and is offered along with Spanish 5. I do not have room in my schedule for AP Spanish 5).</p>

<p>EC's:*
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA, 1st place in districts, 7th place in state for E-Business).
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA, 3rd place at districts, 1st place at districts, 4th place at state for Financial Services Team Decision Making Role Play. 4th place at state for written International Business Plan. Qualified for nationals In both events) Running for DECA VP next year, 70% chance of getting it. If not, treasurer.*
Spanish Honor Society
Applied for National Honor Society (most likely will get in)
Baseball (shoulder surgery preventing play this year)</p>

<p>What kinds of schools do you think are a good fit for me? I know that I will want an advanced degree, either MBA or MSF. Right now I am looking at the University of Denver, primarily for their 5 year BS/MBA program. Just for kicks, what do you think my chances are for a school like Wharton or NYU? What other schools sound appropriate for me?*</p>

<p>Thankyou very much for your time. My apologies for the long post.</p>

<p>Ok. So I pretty much know the Ivy league is a ridiculous shot, but I know that they are also pretty random and unpredictable with admissions. I am basically looking for more schools that you guys think will be a good fit, and admissions chances for some good schools.what about USC? I may be too optimistic…</p>

<p>Thanks for the input.</p>

<p>Your gpa is absolutely going to kill you. If you can pull it up somehow you will be okay. A 32 ACT is perfect for a school like USC.</p>

<p>My GPA is on a steady increase.
Freshman year: 1st Sem- 3.5 2nd Sem- 3.85
Sophomore year: 1st Sem- 4.0 2nd Sem- 4.14
Junior year: 1st Sem- 4.44 2nd Sem- 4.67 (projected)</p>

<p>Freshman year numbers are “ish”. I don’t remember them exactly.</p>

<p>It’s not your GPA that’s the problem, it’s your rank.</p>

<p>ivies are only random once you have the stats. There are many 4.0/2350s not getting in, not many 3.5/1900s getting in unless they are called winning quarterback.</p>

<p>I’d say Wharton is highly unlikely given they take almost no one with your rank. Even if you were top 10%, so few APs, Calc AB, a projected 32 and no off the charts ECs would have made it all but impossible.</p>

<p>With a 32, NYU might be possible, but it’s a big reach given things noted above. I’m also not seeing how you’d afford it with the income you note. Aid is notoriously bad but downright criminal for those where it’s a reach.</p>

<p>I’d look at Indiana, but again, I’m not sure if it would be affordable. I’d also consider some non business programs. The best jobs in business do not go to business majors. If you look at elite jobs in business you see that they recruit a full range of majors from the best possible schools. You might start at Denver and consider a transfer.</p>

<p>You should also research how advisable it is to get an MBA without a few years of work experience. Your job opportunities will be limited. All of the better graduate schools of business mandate an average of 4 years of work experience post undergrad before applying. You will have many more career options following that path.</p>

<p>I am aware of the business opportunities involved with getting an MBA and its timeline. I just really like the 5 year program. The $60,000 is my mothers’ (primary household) income, and will be what is placed on my FAFSA. My father makes more and is willing to co-sign on loans for me. I will be relying heavily on 3rd party scholarships. So, cost will be difficult, but doable I think.
My school doesn’t actually provide published class rank. I presume it to be in between 15-25%.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that most outside scholarships are only for one year.</p>

<p>Schools that meet need generally use Profile in addition to FAFSA. That means they will also take a full look at your father’s income and assets and assets your mother has that FAFSA doesn’t count like a house. You may want to stick to FAFSA only schools if your dad has a good income and any assets are involved.</p>

<p>Alright. Well my father already has 2 step children in college, if that will help me at all.
Do you think my upward trend will be very helpful in the admission to a good school?
Do you know of any other schools that seem to fit my profile?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Bumping. What about chances for University of Washington?</p>

<p>—Bump—</p>

<p>Bumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbumpbump</p>

<p>Help me out? I’m really just looking for schools within my reach. Do you guys think my EC’s make up some for the poor GPA?</p>