What should I do to give myself the best chances at a top school

Applying to College
1

So i’m wondering what else I should do to give myself the best chance at a top school. My grades were going pretty well until this year when my depression hit me pretty hard and my grades plummeted.I’m a junior just hoping this one year didn’t destroy my chances at a top school. Here are some of my statistics.

Predicted GPA after junior year: 3.875(3.5 UW) (This could be quite a bit higher if I can convince my teachers to help me out a bit to end the year)
ACT: 32 Composite. 28 English 31 Math 32 Reading 36 Science (First time, I think i can get this up to a 34-35 )

SAT: Took in May haven’t got scores back, would predict High 2100’s (Could possibly get up to High 2200’s maybe)

EC: Varsity Wrestler 3 years (will be 4) (Also participate in Summer Wrestling)
DECA Competitior, Went to state twice, Placed 2nd this year is Buying and Merchandising. Qualified for Internationals but couldn’t go because travel was too expensive.
Habitat for Humanity Learn and Build this summer for 1 week in North Carolina
Will attend Georgia Boys State program during this summer
Volunteered at a Local city development organization for many years

Awards:
Quest Bridge College Prep Scholar
Varsity Wrestling Letterman
Academic Letterman
Wrestling Region Runner Up
Student-Athlete of the Month
Athletic Awards Recognition
DECA region 3rd Place (Twice) 2014, 2015
DECA State 2nd Place 2015
DECA state cluster-testing 1st Place in event 2014
DECA state cluster-testing 1st Place in event 2015
PSAT Hall of Fame
(Will likely be AP Scholar)

Course Rigor:
Will graduate with 11 APs (AP biology, AP World History, AP psychology, AP US history, AP Physics 1, AP Language, AP Lit, AP Physics 2, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics) I should have 4’s or 5’s in most if not all the exams. Taking 5 AP senior Year
4 years of Spanish
7 Honors level Classes

Income Bracket: <$20,000 for 5 people

Essay: Talks about the low income environment I’ve grown up in and the crowded house. A major part of the essay is also my continuing battle with depression, insomnia, and anxiety. My teacher who is an expert in essays and helped his son write his essay that got him into Harvard said my essay is top 5 he’s ever seen in Twenty years of teaching.

I’m hoping on applying early through Questbridge College Match if I can get into it. I know my grades are really low for the schools I’m aiming for (Emory, Stanford, UVA, really any other top school). I’ve just lived in a not ideal environment and I want to get out of here and thrive to my potential. I’m just wondering if there are any other things I can do to improve my chances, or if anybody else has been in a similar situation and has advice. Thank you all for your time.

2

I think you’re the kind of student QB best can assist. Peruse that forum and see what timelines others followed. You might want to line up great rec writers even now, if you’ve already not done so. Ask your GC if there are any people who may not be eloquent or write generalities – they won’t be of much help to you.

3

Just a note about your essay: It’s generally not a good idea to write about depression etc. because colleges may be wary of accepting a student who has had mental health problems in the past.

4

The only thing you can do is write a great essay. You are set in every other aspect of your application.

5

About the depression thing, I actually address the unorthodox topic of the essay and how it’s generally said not to write about such things. My teacher said this was probably the best catch for it. The essay is actually the personal statement I sent for QuestBridge Prep Scholarship and I should be getting an essay review from them soon so that will give me another perspective.

I will look more into recs though. Is there a certain type of person they like seeing recs from more?

6

Cast your net wide. Sounds like you have a good GC on your side. There are some public Us that will give you a full ride if you are a NMS or have high SAT/ACT scores, don’t forget them. Work on those essays early.