What kind of schools can I get into?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>OK Here is a breakdown of me:</p>

<p>From New York City
Half Black, Half Puerto Rican
Attending St. George's School, Newport, RI</p>

<p>SAT
Highest Critical Reading: 710
Highest Math: 760
Highest Writing: 720</p>

<p>Cumulative Unweighted GPA: 3.62 (not sure about weighted, unless this one is weighted...)</p>

<p>National Latin Exam:
2 Gold Medals: 2006, 2007
1 Silver Medal: 2008</p>

<p>Honor Roll:
2005-6 Semester 1 and 2
2007-8 Semester 1 and 2</p>

<p>APs
World History: 3
Biology: 3
Chemistry: 3
Physics B:4
Latin Literature: 4
English Language: 5</p>

<p>AP Scholar Award
AP Scholar Award With Distinction</p>

<p>PSAT: 99th Percentile
Consideration for National Merit Scholarship</p>

<p>SAT IIs
Chemistry: 660
Physics: 660
Math II: 700
US: 720</p>

<p>Senior Classes:
AP US Government
AP English Literature
AP BC Calculus
AP Music Theory
Voice in Speech and Acting - Fall
Freedom, Decision, and Ethics - Spring</p>

<p>Major Extra Curriculars:
Head of the Gay/Straight Alliance
Head of the Entertainment Committee (i.e. planning free weekend entertainment for students)
Former Member of Student Council
Varsity Track for 2 Years
-2007 Athlete of the Week
-3rd in Newport County for Triple Jump
-5th for 300m Hurdles
-6th for 110m Hurdles
Choir (Bass), Brass (Alto Horn), Voice Lessons
Dorm Prefect
(possibly XC Varsity also)
(possibly A Capella)</p>

<p>Summer:
Member of Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) for 4 years:
I have done 2 summers of medical research in the Radiation Oncology Dept. of Temple U's School of Med
I am completing a summer of research in the Neuroendocrinology Section of the NICHD Dept. at the NIH</p>

<p>Discipline:
Was DCed and suspended once freshman year for cruising (i.e. not returning to my dorm after check-in). Suspension was 3 days, with disciplinary probation for about 2 months. No major incidents on my record to date.</p>

<p>This is really all I can think of about me. I know my SAT II scores are really lacking, and that my GPA could be higher had I not screwed up my sophomore year.</p>

<p>Here are the colleges on my list:</p>

<p>Harvard
Boston U
Tufts
Brown
Yale
Trinity
Columbia
NYU
Princeton
UPenn
GWU
Georgetown
Johns Hopkins</p>

<p>Other Possibilities:
Holy Cross
Boston C
Swarthmore
American U
Wesleyan</p>

<p>Any thoughts on what's possible for me?</p>

2

<p>Your URM status will help, but probably not enough for Harvard/Yale with your current SAT/SATII scores/GPA. Combined with th essay though it may be what gets you into some of the other colleges.</p>

<p>Harvard - High Reach
Boston U - match
Tufts - low reach
Brown - High Reach
Yale - High Reach
Trinity - which one?
Columbia - Reach
NYU - match
Princeton - High Reach
UPenn - reach
GWU - match
Georgetown - Reach
Johns Hopkins - Reach</p>

<p>For the other I can only say that swarthmore is a reach, they are academic nazi’s. But, go for it anyway.</p>

3

<p>Thanks. Bump.</p>

4

<p>You have a lot of reaches. I’d narrow it down for fit. Wesleyan is a possibility, particularly, if Brown is your first-choice.</p>

5

<p>Bump…</p>

6

<p>honestly, hun, I would rule out the ivies (because of that GPA)
bu i would really consider Swarthy, which is a really good school, but isnt that hard to get into.
good luck, mamma.</p>

7

<p>Thanks, bump.</p>

<p>Oh, and all of those Ivies are there as a recommendation from my college counselor and people from my school. I don’t know if it’s my race/hometown, or my school’s connections (we have many), or my SATs/awards/extras, but they seem to think that those are possibilities for me.
Or maybe it is the research. Apparently that’s a major contributor. What if I can raise my GPA? We will have one more senior semester to consider, and since I am taking 4 classes, they will undoubtedly be weighted well.</p>

8

<p>ohhhh i didnt see your race!!
on second thought, you could probs get into some of those schools</p>

9

<p>Your credentials are amazing. Keep up the good work focus on the one EC that is rewarding, write about and then go with whatever school you are passionate about. Oh and then pick a second choice (that’s usually the school that you get into and are suppose to go too!)!!!</p>

10

<p>Thanks for the help!</p>

11

<p>you’ll probly have a hard time with the ivies. but ur still a good candidate</p>

12

<p>URM with that kind stats = good shot at Ivies (though not HYP)</p>

13

<p>I think you have a great shot at the Ivies (a decent shot at HYP), and all other schools on your list. Good luck!</p>

<p>P.S. Try to raise your GPA senior year. It will improve your changes, because that’s your biggest weakness.</p>

14

<p>St. George’s is a top quality prep school, so that has to be taken into account (interviewed there, but didn’t apply).</p>

<p>You might be able to get in to those top ivies (maybeeee).</p>

15

<p>Thanks. What kind of GPA should I look to raise it to in order to better my chances at the HYP levels? And do you think it is possible? I only take 5 classes a semester, because that’s the most you can take (6 blocks, must have 1 free), but 4 of them are APs.</p>

<p>And does URM mean underrepresented minority?</p>

16

<p>@diatre31192: Yes, that is the meaning of URM.</p>

17

<p>Another issue is going to be the # of your classmates that will be applying to these same schools (and many other top quality schools). Look out of the northeast/DC (everybody wants to go there); consider some strong LAC’s (although you are going to have that intraschool competition with Amherst, Williams, etc.).</p>

<p>Many great schools are focused on increasing campus diversity, but in addition to that, is there anything in your background/interests that a particular school might be looking for?</p>

18

<p>Well, I’m just looking to go to the best school I possibly can. And I wanted an urban environment, since I’m a city guy (New York City, in fact). Other than that, it’s up to the personal impression I get when I visit. At this point, Columbia is looking to be my number one.</p>

<p>And I don’t have to worry about competition within my class. I’m one of the top in my grade, if that gives you any sense of how challenging my school is.</p>

19

<p>ONE of the top says a lot; while I wouldn’t discourage applying to any school on your list, there’s a strong chance you might not get accepted by any of your top choices. There are a lot of places that are less selective than the Ivies but more slective than BU – you might want to check some out, that’s what I’m saying…</p>

<p>And if you haven’t visited BU, you should do so. People either love or hate the atmosphere there.</p>

20

<p>BU might offer you merit $$ too. You are very “poach-able” :slight_smile: Meaning 2nd tier schools will want you & offer $$ in my opinion.</p>