<p>Okay, I would like some honest opinions about what kinds of schools I actually have a good shot of getting into. I guess I'm wondering what level is the highest or "best" school that I can realistically be admitted to. Here's is (what I think is) a solid list of the main things</p>
<p>-I don't know my GPA on a 4.0 scale (my school doesn't offer that), but I have around a 95 unweighted GPA. I've gotten two B's (both 88s, one in an AP and one in an honors).All the rest were A's (I believe around a 114 weighted GPA if that means anything)
-2290 SAT (730 CR 780 W 800 M)
-Sat subject tests: 740 biology 740 literature 770 math level 2
-35 composite ACT
-All classes offered at honors level were taken at honors level
-4 years of choral classes with a leadership role in an elite choral group senior year
-Varsity tennis for 3 years, captain senior year
-Yearbook club, 2 years
-School play, 2 years
-3 years of volunteering for a unified soccer team
-4 years of volunteering as a nursery assistant at church
-Awards of excellence in English, mathematics, Native American studies, business, and Spanish
-Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal
-Work experience at a restaurant, then at a law firm
-Potentially a National Merit semifinalist/finalist? (not sure)</p>
<p>I just want a general idea of what kinds of schools would be interested. I don't want to overestimate and not get into a school I had my heart set on. It would mean a lot to me if people with experience/knowledge could give me some educated guesses. Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I can’t seem to edit the post, but I am president of NHS and neglected to mention it. Please help me out! I get very anxious over college talk, which seems to be unavoidable at this age</p>
<p>First of all, the schools that are interested in you are your safeties. You should go after you matches and reaches , they wont usually come to you. The only thing you might be a little weak on for ivies is EC’s, but it wouldnt surprise me if you got into a couple. That said, it could be the other way around as well. Do you have a general idea what you want such as size, expense, locality, urban/suburban, etc? Also do you know what you will be majoring in or are you undecided.</p>
<p>@MightyMouse02 I’m leaning towards a biology major, although that could always change. I’m looking in the south and the west, and as for size, I’m looking to stay below 10,000 undergrad. Not very particular. I’m open to a lot. I like college towns and cities, but in terms or urban/rural campuses, it’s not incredibly important. Thanks for the reply!</p>
<p>South and west now you’re talking! Baylor would be a decent/low match I think for you, rated pretty well for bio so I imagine a little more competitive than your typical major. Also for an extremely reachy-reach, you could apply to Stanford. If you have a great story or have anything going for you ethnicity minority/financial standpoint you have an outside chance, but unfortunately its a crapshoot. UCLA would be a decent match maybe a little high match but let me get back to you. Not a bio guy so have to do a little research for ya.</p>
<p>Alabama is a good safety that would offer you full tuition at the very least, and even more money if you make NMF.
It’s a little big, but they have an honors college that would give you the intimate atmosphere you’re looking for. </p>
<p>Rice is another great school for the natural sciences. </p>
<p>Even though its not in the south or west, you should check out Washington University in St. Louis. Great school.</p>
<p>Yeah I agree with the couple guys above me, Rice, Stanford, and UCLA are good reaches in that area. Just don’t expect anything from them but everyone has to have a couple reaches. Also I agree about Baylor. I also suggest Loyola Marymount as a safety. </p>
<p>I just graduated UCLA so my info is outdated by 4 years, but your stats are above average for my classmates and friends so maybe 50-70%? This is just my guess. And my estimates are based on how it was 4 years ago… colleges have gotten more competitive since then.</p>
<p>Colleges are also much more expensive since then. How much can your family afford? What is your home state?</p>
<p>Erin’s Dad, my home state is Connecticut. Of course, affordability will play a large role in my ultimate decision, but for now, I’m just getting a feel for the types of schools I should look into.</p>
<p>As a question to anyone, could someone let me know what aspects I should improve upon to increase my chances of getting into competitive schools? Any suggestions are more than welcome</p>
<p>^ As an out of state student, UCLA would be super pricy. There’s no financial aid given for the OOS fee ($23000 per year)…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>So not true… you clearly have not met University of Chicago. </p>
<p>OP, affordability has to be one of the first things you look at it. For many students it is THE primary factor in whether they should even apply to a given school or not, and it sounds like you do not have unlimited funds. For each college that you consider, one of your first steps should be to go to the college website and their financial aid webpage. Work with your parents to run the Net Price Calculator for the school to see what the likely cost of attendance would be. There is no point in getting excited about a bunch of schools that cost a quarter of a million dollars to attend over four years if you are not eligible for aid and your parents can’t/won’t pay for them. So this needs to be very high on your list of actions to take regarding checking out schools. </p>
<p>Second, why do you want to be a bio major? If you are thinking pre-med, then you have to be even more conscious of cost. Med school is very expensive, and you want to have as little undergrad debt as possible if you have plans in that direction. Med school admission is all about GPA, MCAT scores, and getting some experience in a medical volunteer sort of situation (but you can do that in summers if you need to). You do NOT want to worry about going to the “best” school you can get into, you want to worry about one you can afford, get a good GPA, and prep well for the MCAT.</p>
<p>Your stats are strong, and you have a lot of options except probably the very top 10 schools or so (you don’t have the “pop” in ECs that usually accompany admission to those schools, unless you have a hook you have not mentioned – athlete, URM, legacy, etc.). And you can be a bio major at literally almost any school in the country, so you also have a lot of options from that perspective.</p>
<p>Schools you might consider if you can afford them: Johns Hopkins (not south or west, but a top bio school), Wash U in St. Louis, Rice, Pomona. As mentioned above, you would be eligible for large automatic scholarships at U of Alabama.</p>