What universities should I look at? (safeties, matches, reaches)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am currently a junior at a highly regarded american school in the middle east, and I am looking to major in actuarial science (or mathematics where act. science is not offered at the undergrad level)</p>

<p>Here are my stats/qualities:</p>

<p>GPA:3.87 after first semester of 11th grade, bound to go up because of 2 APs this year and 3/4 the next year
Class Rank: 7 of 112, will be 6th or 5th after this semester
Very rigorous course load</p>

<p>SAT1: took it in January, got an 1830 (750+ on math and writing and reading were pretty mediocre); WILL TAKE AGAIN IN OCTOBER after studying a lot, will probably get a 2100-2150</p>

<p>ACT: took it in April, got a 29 composite (32E, 31M, 26R, 25S), will take again in october and will probably get a 31-32</p>

<p>SAT2's: taking math2 at the end of this year, aiming for a 750+, will take physics in november of senior year(next year), aiming for a 700+</p>

<p>APs
This year: Stats and Econ this year (expecting a 5 on stats and maybe a 4 and a 5 on macro and micro)
Next Year: English (4), Cal A/B (5), Physics B (4/5), Chemistry (4)</p>

<p>ECs and others:
MUN: 9, 10, 11, 12; participated in numerous regional and international conferences (ambassador and main submitter)
Pakistani Society Debate Organizer
National cricket team (traveled to a few places, and hosted a tournament ourselves; appeared in the local newspaper for being chosen for the national team)
Cricket Club: 6 years; competition with other clubs throughout the nation, recognition for being the best under 15 batsman in the nation; led our team to 3 championships and was the captain for 2 years
Basketball: 9, 10, 11, 12 (captain)
NHS: 11, 12 (maybe president)
Tutoring: 9, 11, 12
INJAZ (business organizations' competition):10, 11, 12 (Head of Finance)
Forensics and Debate: 11, 12 (oratory and serious duet acting)</p>

<p>Community Service:
Community cleanup in Toronto
Helped build houses in Northern Pakistan for the homeless
Visiting orphanage in Pakistan</p>

<p>Other:
Worked at an accounting firm in New York for 2 years
Worked at an insurance firm in New York for 2 years</p>

<p>I am a Pakistani/Canadian living in the Middle East</p>

<p>I just need to know what my safeties, matches, and reaches should be.</p>

<p>I am open to all schools (liberal arts, public, and private)</p>

2

<p>I would say that if everything goes as expected, then you would have a fair chance at a series of pretty competitive colleges. GPA and class rank is pretty good, and I would say that your extracurriculars are good if everything comes out expected. </p>

<p>Reaches: Ivies, and maybe the top LAC’s</p>

3

<p>Your grades on actual AP exams have no weight on admissions, only that you took those classes. Colleges do not see AP exam grades after they already accepted you, and you show them the scores to get better placement etc.</p>

<p>It seems like you are good at math-y things, but your GPA, while very high, is not the highest it could be. I’d look at sub-ivy/second-tier if I were you (maybe something like Emory could be a good reach/realistic school for you)</p>

4

<p>oh ok, thanks a lot for your input</p>

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<p>emory should be easy for you…alot of kids in my school got into emory with a 3.4 GPA and average SAT scores…i dont know if emory loves my school but every year at least 4 seniors apply there and more often than not they get in…</p>

<p>one thing though…if youre looking to do a physics/engineering/math major…
you should do Calculus BC and Physics C…just a thought…Physics B is normally meant for people who are interested in physics but dont necessarily want to pursue it later on</p>

<p>i think your chances are good…!</p>

<p>good luck</p>

<p>oh</p>

6

<p>our school only offers Calc AB and Physics B, or else I would surely take BC and C :P</p>

7

<p>You should consider NYU (SOLID MATCH), CASE WESTERN RESERVE (SAFETY), RICE (REACH), UCB (BERKELEY) REACH, UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (SLIGHT MATCH), BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY (MATCH), WILLIAMS COLLEGE (REACH), AND HARVEY MUDD OR CLAREMONT MEKENNA.</p>

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<p>do u mean nyu stern?
and university of michigan, you said its a slight match… do you mean closer to safety, or closer to reach?</p>

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<p>Why not Harvard?</p>

10

<p>hahahha sarcasm? :stuck_out_tongue:
im serious, i really need help…</p>

11

<p>bumpity bump bump</p>

12

<p>bump please…</p>

13

<p>I think you are a strong application with great leadership positions. It is your big plus. </p>

<p>Do you like big or small size schools ? It will be easier if we know some certain preference.</p>

<p>For now, I think you can look at some of top LACs like Williams, Amherst, Pomona, Swarthmore, Harvey Mudd,…</p>

<p>If you want to major in math, why not try MIT or Caltech ?</p>

<p>I think you can do more activities relating to sciences to show your passion. I mean your ECs are great but they are not relating to sciences. Though most schools do not admit students according to intended major but showing your passion with sciences will help you somehow to get in MIT or Caltech.</p>

14

<p>bump please.</p>

15

<p>oh cmonnnnn</p>

16

<p>Look at cal. berk. great school, not as expensive as a private school, and you could potentially (kind of a reach) get in if you up your act score to like 32-33 and do well on the SAT 2 subject tests.</p>

17

<p>Do you need financial aid?</p>

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<p>well, yes and no
if i get into a good school, i wouldn’t mind paying
but for other decent schools, i will apply for financial aid</p>

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<p>bumpity bump bump</p>

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<p>One generally qualifies for need-based aid or not, or to what extent, depending on family characteristics and finances. You may qualify for merit aid, but the chances and size generally go down as school selectivity goes up. National Merit Finalists are often offered full free rides at least-selective schools.</p>