What range of schools could I get into? Will chance back :)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi, I’m new to this site so pls bare with me :slight_smile:

I’m interested in a couple schools and I wanted to know what you guys think my chances might be! They are:

-Boston College (top choice, I have big legacy there but I am still well aware that it will be a HUGE reach)
-Northeastern
-Villanova
-University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
-University of Pittsburgh
-University of Scranton
-Drexel University
-Fairfield University

Stats:

-UW GPA – 3.56 (out of 4)
-W GPA – 3.78 (out of 5)
-SAT I – 1750 (out of 2400), I will be taking it again in Oct. and my goal is an 1850, 1950 would be an ideal miracle.
-SAT II – 619 on US History, I will be taking English and Spanish as well & I hope to get higher scores.
-AP courses – Received an A in US History (didn’t get my exam score yet), next year will be taking Gov, Psych & English
(My school does not offer IB)
(My school does not rank)

EC’s:

-300+ volunteer hours accumulated over time from an animal shelter, elderly home, and food bank.
-“Head Volunteer” at a therapeutic center for people with disabilities and I’m there for 5+ hrs a week.
-Ambassador Girl Scout.
-Member of a selective leadership group at my school.
-Horseback ride 5+ hours a week & I’ve been doing it for 12 years.
-JV Volleyball (Captain).
-I worked at a horse barn for 2 years and I’m planning on resuming that job this summer.

Honors/Awards:

-National English Honor Society
-Made honor roll every year (Mostly A’s and A-'s, some B+'s)
-Spanish Literature Honors Achievement (academic award)
-Girl Scout Silver Award and Girl Scout Gold Award (Gold Award is a pretty big deal, lots of leadership and service involved)

Other stuff you might want to know:

-I am confident that I can write a strong essay, it is one of my best skills.
-My grades increased a lot during my junior year. I do not feel that my freshman/sophomore grades reflect the dedication that I have now…At that time I was experiencing multiple deaths in the family which caused me to lose motivation in school (and life in general). Unfortunately you can’t see that in my GPA and colleges probably won’t care… My junior year I got all A’s, and I feel that those grades now reflect how dedicated and motivated I am to succeed.
-I am aware that my scores kinda suck compared to others applying to my top schools. I am not the best test-taker.
-I go to a private school.
-I am a white New Yorker (unfortunately this is probably a disadvantage for me).

-I want to apply as a nursing major…Which sucks because I know that nursing is extremely competitive.

TL;DR: I have just average grades/scores, lots of community service that I am passionate about, and average leadership. My top schools are all incredibly selective.

**If you have any advice for me in order to improve my application in any way, please let me know. I am trying to get my stats up. What do colleges like to see in the apps? What will make me stand out in the ocean of white kids from the northeast who are applying to the same schools?

If someone has any suggestion for any good safety/target schools for me, PLEASE let me know, it would really help out.

THANK YOU FOR READING! I will chance back anyone who wants me to take a look at their post :slight_smile:

2

We all know that GPA says a lot to schools, but the essay exists for a reason. It’s your time to share about your identity and experiences. If you talk about the recent deaths in your family and how they affected you, admissions will understand. However, I would really try to get that SAT up. Try the ACT too, that worked SO much better for me! If you are a junior, try to look for something unique to do over the summer, perhaps something that highlights your passion for nursing. Good luck and chance me too! :slight_smile:

3

BC and UNC CH are big reaches. The others are obtainable though.

4

I am banking on my essay to make up for my GPA & will definitely also try to get my SAT up! Time is the issue for me, I always run out of it, so I actually do much worse on the ACT because there’s less time on that test. Weird, I know. Test-taking just isn’t a skill that I have.
I will look into some summer activities to spruce up my EC’s. Thank you so much for the advice :slight_smile: I’ll chance you back now!

5

Boston College- Reach; scores need to be within mid-600’s going upwards; legacy will be slightly helpful
Northeastern- Somewhat of a reach; not as hard as BC, but applying EA will definitely help you to get in
Villanova- Match; their sat scores are slightly above yours, but its doable; don’t apply EA and instead apply regular decision because for some odd reason, they tend to accept less people EA than they do RD
University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill)- Reach; getting in OOS is very hard, by law they’re required to accept mostly in state students and usually accept around 20% OOS; great SAT scores will be needed (650s-up for each category I’m estimating)
University of Pittsburgh- Match; sat scores are within range
University of Scranton- Match; sat scores seem to be almost above range I think
Drexel University- Match; sat scores are within range
Fairfield University- Match

Notes: BC and UNC are the toughest schools to get into with Northeastern coming in third. Your service hours are impressive and the rest of your EC’s look good as well as honors/awards for the schools you plan on applying to. I think colleges will take into account your progression. Your SAT II score is average for US History.

Please chance back, thanks!
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1783798-chance-me-rising-senior.html#latest

6

I have to say that UNC is probably out of reach for you. It is very competitive from out-of-state. My son’s grades were somewhat comparable to you (slightly lower unweighted GPA, but higher weighted from full IB program with additional AP classes), but his SAT was 2060, and he had terrific ECs. He knew it was a big reach, but he fell in love with UNC after visiting. He was rejected.

7

Evan a 2000 SAT would make Northeastern a reach. Their mid 50% is 2020-2190.

8

Hello, just thought I’d update in case anyone stumbled on this post – I was accepted into Scranton, Fairfield, CUA, Providence and Sacred Heart all with merit aid. Still awaiting to hear from BC, Fordham, Nova and Northeastern.

9

your stats arent the best, but I can empathize with you. Though nothing tragic happened in my life, junior year was my time to shine. Luckily, colleges like an upward trend, even if you arent the top scholar. Nursing is a difficult major, but also considering programs where you can go to a community college and then transfer. This is probably not your ideal course of action, but consider it. BC is a difficult school for a reason.

did you stats rise? I know this is an old thread, but did you scores reflect your potential? And I hope your essays went well. mine were very stressful and I’m still relieved Im done with them.

For BC, I’d say its a high match/low reach considering your stats but if they rose, maybe a match/high match

chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19315716#Comment_19315716