<p>Hey everyone! So I'm a Junior, and I've been looking into colleges recently, but I just don't know what I should aim for. I guess more than anything I'm looking for some suggestions because I hate that a ton of people have a "plan," yet I can't even answer when I'm asked what colleges I want to attend.</p>
<p>Here are some of my stats:
Male
Hispanic
North Carolina
GPA: 4.6 W ~3.997 UW
I'll have taken 9 APs by the time I graduate. Not sure about exams.
SAT: 1960 (I've taken it once, and I plan to take it again with some studying. Hoping I can get it up to maybe 2100. Realistic?) 680 M 630 R 650 W
Rank: 6/360 Should go up after this semester since I'm making A's in 3 APs.
ECs: I'm in about 5 clubs, including NHS, and I'll be editor of the Yearbook next year. I might run for a position in Student Government next year. I guess this would be what I lack in the most, especially with the leadership aspect of everything, but I'll try to fix that next year.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm kinda stuck as to what colleges I want to go to. I'm positive that I'll apply to UNC-CH but other than that, I'm really not sure. I know I'm not giving you guys a lot to work with, but what do y'all think are some good options that would be realistic for me or at least worth a shot.</p>
<p>Regarding your SAT:
The first time I ever took it, with no preparation, I scored a 2020. I retook and got a 2030. I retook again and got a 2150. I had no prep books and between testing attempts spent maybe 3 hours total reading a few online tips and doing the "Question of the Day"s. Try to take it at least three times, and if you can study, I’m sure you could do better than my random 100+ point increase. A 2100 is certainly realistic.</p>
<p>Being ranked in the top 2% of your class and being a hooked applicant should give you some nice opportunities for relatively selective schools. Are you also going to apply to UNC-Asheville? What is your intended major? Your ECs are somewhat thin. Do you have any community service to speak of? What type of schools do you like-- large, small, urban, rural, what region of the country, etc.? Will you be needing much financial aid?</p>
<p>I would suggest taking some SAT practice tests or, if your family can afford it, enroll in an SAT prep course, to “force feed” those practice tests down your throat, so you can get better results on the real tests.</p>
<p>@Nihility:
That’s good! It’s nice to know that a 2100 is possible. I knoww I can get my math score up because I remember there were about two or three questions that all involved a very simple Geometry formula, but I took Geometry so long ago that I didn’t remember it. It was a bit frustrating, hahahah. I hope that by studying, this’ll be something I can avoid next time around.</p>
<p>@jshain:
I know for sure that I’ll be applying to at least one more UNC system school. I just need to narrow it down and do some research. I do like UNC-Asheville though. I’m not sure about my major, maybe something dealing with business or psychology. It’s definitely something I’ll have to keep in mind. As for community service, I would say I’ve done close to 50 hours taking into account a lot of different activities over the years. I’m open to any size school. I’ve even looked into Davidson which is smaller than my high school, so really there’s no preference. Hopefully I can stay somewhat close to home (driving distance, and I’m in NC) and a suburban/urban setting would be fine. I’ll apply for financial aid, but it’s not something I’ll be 100% dependent on. And I do plan on taking an SAT prep course, probably over the summer.</p>