I want to go to a prestigious school for undergrad. My hopes are to eventually go into medicine.
What are some prestigious schools I can get into with my stats…
SAT: 1300
ACT: 27
(I’m a very slow test taker, and never have time to answer the last column of answers on any section… tips?)
However
I will have taken 12 APs by graduation
(US. History, CHEM, PSYCH, BIO, STAT, PHYSICS 1, PHYSICS C:MECH, GOVT, ECON, CALC BC, LANG, LIT)
Chasing prestige is a losing game. You do need to bring your scores up to have any shot at the schools listed. If you are a GA or NC resident, you may be in range but still a reach and probably high reach for UNC or Ga Tech as a resident.
You may want to check out test optional schools. Bates and College of the Holy Cross are two excellent schools with strong pre med programs and are test optional.
Seems like you may want a bigger school, so SMU could be a match for your stats.
You have a great shot at all of these schools. One thing to absolutely make sure that you do not do is to try to make excuses for any of your perceived flaws. Do not mention in anyway shape or form that you would have more EC’s if this or that. The fact that your SAT’s are on the lower side can be offset by the challenging course load that you have taken. Trust me, the admissions committee understands that some students are just not great test takers. Lastly, be sure to include that you are the oldest of 8 siblings and that you share the responsibility of taking care of them - the adcoms love this as it shows natural leadership. - Admissions Track
I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to disagree with the post #4. These schools may be holistic, but each one is extremely competitive for pre-med. Your SAT and ACT scores are way below average for all of these schools. If you’re out of state for GA tech or UNC-CH, then they may be out of reach. Vanderbilt really emphasizes test scores, so that is likely out of reach. Emory would likely be a high reach.
I disagree with @AdmissionsTrack that you have ‘a great shot’. The mid 50 ACT range at ND is 32-34. With a 27, you really have very little chance unless you have a big hook. Same will be true for Vandy.
I just really love how so many people who have never sat on an admissions committee could judge an applicant. I stand by my comments. This applicant has a great shot at all these schools provided they follow my advice. All members of the admissions committee understand that some students are just bad test takers. This student has 12 AP courses with a 95/100 GPA which demonstrates that regardless of standardized testing results, this student not only takes the most challenging courses available, but also continuously achieves academically at the highest levels. This matters much more than SAT/ACT scores that may be slightly below the school’s average. I know what I am talking about unlike most here. - Admissions Track
Your comment in #4 is ridiculous. OP has good course rigor but he only said 12 AP BY graduation. There is no way to tell if the 95.5% GPA is good or not in that particular school. Assuming the GPA scale is in a typical range, that would translate into anything between 3.5 and 4.0 depending on the actual grades. One way to justify the HS GPA is by comparing the standardized test score. With both SAT and ACT scores below the mid 50 of these schools, your comment simply has no standing point. Do you know the difference between “slightly below average” vs below the mid 50 (or below the 25th percentile)?
For OP, do recalculate your uwGPA using 4.0 max scale from letter grades. As I said, your GPA can be anything between 3.5 and 4.0 which would significantly affect the admission outcome. Also, you need to find some matching schools and at least one safety. If you want to have a reasonable chance at any of these schools, you do need to bring up your test score unless you have a huge hook.
How are your AP results? Can you list them? Do these somehow indicate your ACT score is an aberration? How will this test issue be manageable in medicine, do you think?
Can you pay for OOS schools? All your schools are too reachy. Kids aimed at med school look for free or close to free undergrad. What is your home state? What major are you planning? Are you a senior?
@billcsho I’m a senior, and my unweighted gpa is currently 3.926. I live in GA.
Also, I am definitely retaking the SAT. My biggest problem is not being able to finish. I’d imagine if I were able to finish (usually 12 questions short on the reading, 5 on the grammar, and 10 on the math), then my SAT score would go up exponentially, so I’m working on getting faster.
It seems you did not have enougn practice for the test. How many times you have taken the tests? You may have been overwhelmed with AP classes and exams. Right now, you test score is your weakest link. You may want to register for both and work hard on the practice if you really want to apply to these schools.
As a senior you really don't have much time left, some schools won't take test results after a certain date, so make sure you have a grip on that and a safety in your local 4 yr that isn't Tech. I assume you must have taken more than one ACT and one SAT at this point as a senior with such reach schools on your list?. Again, what do your AP scores look like? SAT2?
@AdmissionsTrack. I think you would enjoy the chances threads much more than most. There are tons of kids who would love the benefit of your opinion. Look especially for Ivy chance threads. You are JUST what the kids are looking for, someone experienced with the use of platitudes.
Since OP is aimed for med school, you really need to improve your standardized test skill because there will be much more tests like MCAT, USMLE. You took so many APs, did you take any SAT2 (particularly in science such as Bio, Chem and Physics)? Strong SAT2 scores will help for getting into top schools, esp pre-med track.
Based on the amount of APs you have taken and your great gpa and the fact that you help with your siblings and your high rank will make you a very desirable candidate to many schools. If I was on admissions I would think that you are a very hard worker. The think with places like Vanderbilt and Notre Dame is they are notorious for being very focused on stats. What I would suggest is finding the list of test optional schools and see if any appeal to you. Also I would look for schools where your 1300 SAT is in the middle of the pack. Do you meet the criteria for UGA, because that would be a good school. Also look up the list for Colleges that Change Lives. They seem to be very holistic and should take everything about you into consideration.
OP
If you are into premed, you should be looking at Universities that is lower cost and less prestigious. As prestige does nothing to med school applicants. Your in state Univ. of Georgia should be on your list, not GA tech as it is known for STEM subjects. Since your standardized test score is not high, you want to avoid those schools consider both GPA and SAT/ACT, try more schools on the test optional list and there are many very good schools such as Bowdoin and Wake Forest.
To be honest, based on my reading on the premed section, Vandy is really hard on premeds, you should replace it with others.
I also disagree with post #4 – your standardized testing has put you pretty much out of contention for the schools on your list. That said, it is fine to apply to a couple of reach colleges but be sure to compile a college application list that has a mix of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable and that you would be happy to attend.
Also keep in mind that if you are pre-med that MCAT is a standardized test that plays a big role in med school admission. You will need to find a way to improve your standardized test taking skills down the road if you want to maximize your chances for med school.
UPDATE: I studied for the ACT and ended up bringing my score up to a 34!!! I think I now have a decent shot at these colleges. So far I’ve only applied Vanderbilt ED1 and won’t submit other applications until I get my decision (hopefully I won’t have to submit any more apps).
I realize you have a clear favorite, and that’s fine. But why not send out a few more apps now? Sure, it may cost you a few hundred dollars. But financial aid is finite-- you may get a very attractive deal from another school, well before you hear from Vanderbilt.
I’m a big believer in options at this stage of the game.