<p>Hi, this post is on behalf of my friend (in case you see that it is incompatible with my previous posts). She is a little long-winded... haha: </p>
<p>Junior here. I want to stay in the south unless I can get into a top-top school in the Northeast (I'm talking major reaches like Princeton, UPenn, or Swarthmore, or the perennial favorite of posters here, Harvard). I have toured and loved: Emory, Davidson, Duke, Florida, UMiami. Interested in, but haven't yet visited: New College FL, Georgetown, Vandy, Wake. What I don't know is which of these schools I have a realistic shot at! </p>
<p>I was a B student freshman year (3.15 UW GPA including a C), due in part to a death in the family, but mainly due to immaturity and a complete lack of study skills. My weighted GPA placed me barely in the top 20% of my class (126 of 650), but I have worked hard to reach just inside of the top 10% now in my junior year. Hoping to be comfortably within the top 10% (realistically top 7% or so) by application time. Here are some of my stats: </p>
<p>Location: South Florida
Gender: F
Race: Hispanic (though not a fluent Spanish-speaker and with a non-Hispanic last name if that matters for anything)
Income: High-ish / comfortable / not going to give me a leg up in admissions</p>
<p>Freshman year: 3.15 UW GPA (4.1 weighted). All honors/gifted classes (gifted classes end after 9th) plus 1 AP (human Geo) GPA includes 4 HS courses taken in MS (two maths and two language)
Sophomore Year: (NOTE, this isn't cumulative) 3.75 UW GPA. 2 AP classes (Psych and World History)
Junior Year: First quarter: 3.86 UW. 4 AP classes (Stats, US History, English, Chemistry)</p>
<p>Test scores: Will probably retake, but 740 math, 690 verbal, 750 writing (2180). AP scores: A 2 in Human Geo, 5 in Psych, 4 in world. </p>
<p>Extracurricular: I am working towards earning a childcare certificate through my school's Early Childhood program. We actually work in a preschool, observe and assess the preschoolers, and learn about development and early childhood pedagogy. Next year, I will be interning at the local elementary school. In addition to this, I also:
* Assist in research during the summers at an early childhood Psych lab at the university
* I'm a youth student leader at my church (help with fundraising, mentor middle schoolers, teach Sunday School/nursery)
* Active member of Future Educators of America at my school, and another separate club where I tutor a struggling Elementary student each week. Kind of passive member of Chemistry Club, but may run for an office next year.
* Go on a missions trip each summer to Mexico or Haiti to work in an orphanage (through Church)
* Run the slideshow / sound during church services every Sunday
* Raised funds and installed a family visiting area at my grandfather's nursing home (solo project)
* Babysit about once a week
* Am an amateur photographer and shoot children's parties and senior portraits, have "second shot" a few weddings etc...
* Have an Instagram fashion/photography page with a couple thousand followers. </p>
<p>I am interested in neuroscience or biological basis of behavior. Basically, any program where I can continue to pursue my interest in psychology (and esp. developmental psych) but earn med school prerequisites. Would be willing to pay more for top schools. Would hope for significant merit aid at UMiami, UF, New College or similarly-ranked "very good" but not top-top schools. </p>
<p>Any suggestions of schools or chances at the above schools is appreciated. Thanks! </p>