Which schools can I get into with these stats?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi guys! I’m an anxious high school senior just like most everybody on here, but instead of using CC to lower my self esteem, I’ll use it to actually help myself. I am obviously going to apply to two extremely high reaches (Tulane and Yale) but I want to know where I could actually get in. Without further ado, here are my stats. Let the judgment commence!

GPA: 3.14 UW // 3.2 W (I know, yikes)
SAT: 1990
SAT Breakdown: 600 M, 700 CR, 690 W
AP Scores: APUSH (4), AP Lang and Comp (3)
Schedule: have always taken the most rigorous schedule possible
Senior Schedule: AP Euro, AP Spanish Literature, AP Biology, Honors English 12, Sociology, Trigonometry (I know this can hurt me with my reaches; only math class they could physically fit into my schedule, but I am self studying for the AP Calc AB exam), Introduction to Film // Global Social Issues

Ethnicity: Black & White (mother is from North Africa and is of European descent)
Income bracket: really, really low
Sex: Female
Extracurriculars:
Have been working various fast food jobs since I was 14 ( obviously under the table, and was an out of state commute. Family friend provided the job though)
Job at IHOP (grade 9-10)
Job at pretzel place in local mall (grade 10-11)
Job at fast food place in local mall (grade 11-12)
Job at McDonald’s (grade 12- present) * I get paid more at this job which has allowed me to significantly cut my hours and focus on my schooling. This is only possible because of the experience I have had. But for the last 3 years, I have had to work 35-45 hour weeks (I’m aware this was illegal) to keep my family afloat. My father gambles EXCESSIVELY. Note that I’m not talking about an affluent man that bets on horses. He actually spends a significant amount of his income on lottery. The only thing I have been able to do is work to pay bills and for the mortgage. My mother is sick and depressed in case this question comes up. This is why my gpa has gone down. Especially during junior year because I was taking 4 AP classes and 2 honors. I know that I wasn’t necessarily exercising responsibility, but if I lowered my rigor I would have felt like I was depriving myself of learning.

  • Mock Trial (Grade 9-10, 12 [I have joined again and am intent on getting our team to the state level. I am obsessed with finding a way to think outside of the box with the law; it’s not necessarily “reason free from passion”])
    *Ran a compliments page my freshman year of high school that somewhat transformed the school’s climate into a more positive one; I was anonymous but I was eventfully outed; the local news source did a story on it (grade 9)
  • Math team (grade 9-11, had to quit to work more hours during junior year)
  • Spanish club (grade 10-11)
  • Outreach club Volunteer Coordinator (Grade 12; I was nominated and elected)
  • this one is BIZARRE; I run an Instagram page that is devoted to motivational and study tips; I initially just started it to get myself out of the hell hole that was my junior year, but it caught on. I have 2,100 followers and I gain an average of 300 per week. (Grade 12)
  • summer program that had a 16% acceptance rate; only 50 kids were selected; research was done and math and science courses were taken; earned 3 college credits

Essays:
Supplements for Tulane and Yale (10/10; have had them read and have been told that I am among the strongest writers that some people have encountered)
Common App Essay: 9/10; about how I love my job at McD’s; turned it into a funny narrative with some elements of sociology; I LOVE helping people and hope to go into neuroscience, maybe as a surgeon or researcher.

Counselor Rec: 10/10; my GC is my best friend and knows me and my situation well; has explained this in the rec; says it’s probably the only 2 page, single spaced rec she has ever written for a student in her entire career

Teacher Rec #1: 10/10 ; this teacher, my Spanish teacher, likes me and has helped me grow as a student; realizes that I think outside of the box and has encouraged me to do better despite the hardships in life

Teacher Rec #2: 9/10 ; math teacher; I am acing her trig class, have had her for 3 years; thinks I am a star student because I have usually done phenomenally in math

I’m sorry that was long. I would add more, but I can only ask for so much. I want to major in neuroscience because science has always been the reasonable thing in my life that made sense when everything else didn’t. I really need some safeties because I know that accepting me is not a safe bet that would benefit a university on paper, in terms of rankings. I mean I really love Yale and Tulane and it would be fantastic to gain admission, but at this point my chances are slim to none (but if I didn’t apply they would be 0, right?). I just want to have back ups because I know that I can’t expect acceptance if I don’t necessarily have what these unis expect.

2

I want to apply to University of Delaware, Rutgers (NB), and MAYBE US Cali (but it’s really cutthroat). Where else should I think of applying?

3

If colleges ask about a decline in GPA or grades then you have a compelling reason. Of course the reaches are almost unreachable but I would say you have a good chance of landing in a decent school.

4

If you are not looking for cutthroat, then I don’t recommend applying to Yale, but you probably won’t be accepted anyways with your academic GPA and test scores. You have a good chance into getting into all of your other schools, including Tulane.

5

I just want to express my admiration for what you have accomplished and your attitude! What ever school you attend will be lucky to have you and you will accomplish what ever you set your mind to. Best Wishes!

6

@rossbusiness Okay, thank you! That is such a relief to hear. I mean I would be more than ecstatic with a decent school because that would mean that I have sort of broken out of the no-college cycle in family. It would mean more opportunities because the school is decent; I think that I can work with that. And I go to a school that isn’t so selective, maybe they won’t be so reluctant to let me study abroad or anything like that. Thanks for your help!

7

@jarrett211 Yes, I very much agree with you. I think at this point I would be fine with a rejection from Yale since they are first and foremost an academic institution above all. I’m surprised though. Tulane? I feel like a lot of kids who would be rejected from Yale or the Ivies + Stanford and MIT would use it as a safety, thus ruining my chances. I’m also confused about USC (Cali); they are extremely competitive and have denied soooooo many kids with perfect and above 4.0 GPAs on here and at my school. But I really do love the school. I just feel like their applicant pool is definitely bigger because they are a big school, so it would be immensely difficult to stand out with my test scores and GPA. But I mean I wouldn’t complain if I found myself decked out in Trojan apparel at a football game next year.

8

@GreatKid oh my goodness, thank you so much! You really made me tear up! Thank you for your really kind words. They mean so much to me, especially during this nerve-wracking time where I really have to deal with the fact that many doors are momentarily closed. On college confidential you expect a dose of reality and it’s quite harsh, for the world is a harsh place. But thank you very much for your kind words! I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!! You’re too kind

9

Should I even apply to UChicago? That school has always appealed to me and I really love it too. It seems that they do place a great amount of importance on essays and that they advertise as the school for thinkers. But the thing is that no matter what, colleges are above all academic institutions

10

UChicago is on a par with Ivies+Stanford for selectivity. I’m not going to tell you to apply or not, but I will try and give you some idea of your odds, because managing expectations is the only way you’re going to avoid serious disappointment when applying to schools like this.

UW GPA for unhooked applicants is typically in the 3.9+ range, and the CR+M 25th percentile (Chicago doesn’t look at writing) is 1450. Your CR+M score of 1300 would be as far removed from the 25th percentile as the maximum of 1600 is, so that’s not great.

OTOH, your ethnicity will be a boost, and you have a great story. Whatever colleges may decide, you’ve overcome more by your late teens than I would wish on anyone in a lifetime, and that’s something to be proud of.

Don’t hope for a miracle this admissions season, but know this: as long as you work hard in university, it doesn’t matter where you go. College is what you make of it, and if you do well at your chosen school you could eventually land a job that you love, which also guarantees you and your family financial security for a long time.

Stories like yours are a reminder of the work we as a country have left before your parents (and millions like them) will be able to get the help they need, and your own determination to succeed despite all you’ve been through suggests to me that we just might accomplish that goal someday. Best of luck - both with your applications and thereafter.

11

Polyglotgal,
It is my pleasure to recognize and compliment you on what you have accomplished!
Is anyone assisting you with your selection of schools? I would never discourage you from applying any where you wished to. There does need to be a strategy centered around the historic admissions results of schools you are applying to. You also would want to use the Net Price Calculators on each schools website so you are aware of the cost to attend each school.
I hope someone knowledgable is assisting you with this. If not pose every question you can think of on the various boards here.

12

Look for LAC there are few with Eng and few with Business major. They need people of color and will give you full ride (need based + merit). There is a spreadsheet from http://diycollegerankings.com/ site. It is basically all the common data. If you need any info on specific college I can help you. In general you should should ignore college that are 15% or less in acceptance rate as the requirement are beyond your reach (not that you should not try). Just a suggestion.

13

@NotVerySmart Thank you for this detailed response! Your post definitely solidified many things for me. I mean these are, above all, academic institutions looking to accept people who they know can succeed and I seem like a red flag. It’s just really nerve wracking. I want to ask about my chances at USC but I feel like they are becoming on par with Ivies and Stanford / MIT / UChicago. Many of these schools that hit just above the 15% acceptance rate seem to be used as safeties by kids who are highly qualified for the top schools. It’s really annoying at times because some of the underdogs want a chance lol. I mean I guess choosing a couple of reaches would not be as disheartening as choosing like 8 super reaches. I think the main thing I have to worry about is affording college. I don’t know if it’s possible for me to attend college without a highly significant amount of it being paid for. This is absolutely nerve-wracking because I kind of have to have this all figured out in 2 months or so. I would apply to USC scholarships but my GPA indicates anything but high achievement; I hear they give those scholarships out to tipping top students who didn’t get into the Ivy League. Again, thank you for your help and time

14

Try to study and retake the SAT(or ACT) and get above a 2100/32. This will give you a much greater range of schools you can apply to and compensate for a somewhat weaker GPA

15

@sattake Alright. My guidance counselor has practically forced me to take the ACT, with a fee waiver lol. I guess I will try my best to study for the ACT and maybe borrow a book from a friend or teacher. But let’s say I do get a 32+; would my reaches actually take a second look and perhaps be a bit more confident to accept me? I know that GPA is the most important factor

16

Just from what I gather, despite your GPA, you still seem to have a very competitive application if the test scores could be raised a little bit. I think you explaining the motives for your work and other activities helps colleges empathize with you and such, maybe even justifying. The colleges you selected in your first comment I think are pretty solid, you just might have a hard time with your GPA, especially at the upper level schools (Tulane and Yale). Congrats on what you’ve accomplished though, you’re a strong person!

Chance me Please?

17

Do have schools that offer merit scholarships for your stats? Most OOS publics likely won’t give you enough. If you haven’t already, post in the financial aid forum with a title something like, “1300 CR+M SAT, huge merit needed.” The more experienced posters will see it and offer you good advice.

Mention what you wrote in your OP and include the state you’re in, your stats, and how much your parents earn. My advice is to try to get into a college you can’t commute to from home because you can’t work 45 hours/week to pay your family’s mortgage and do well in school.

18

OP, it is remarkable what you have accomplished. I do have a concern when reading your profile that admissions counselors may also be thinking about. If your parents have not been able to pay their bills and you have had to work full time to take on that responsibility, what will happen when you leave for college. In clinical speak, you are a parentified child and unfortunately, that carries a lot of emotional baggage when leaving for college. Some colleges have support systems in place for these students, some colleges let these students fend for themselves. It’s something to think about and seriously address now. You don’t want something to derail your goals. But it can. I’ve seen it happen. Good luck to you.

19

This is all just so nerve-wracking. I know I shouldn’t be comparing myself to my fellow classmates, but it’s extremely easy to do so. Everyone is talking about how brilliantly their EA admissions interviews went. This guy’s interview lasted for like 4 hours. From the looks of it, my stats won’t land me an interview. How do I cope with all of this happening around me? I know I shouldn’t be whining because that gets one nowhere. But how do I deal with having to watch my classmates succeed and get into their dream schools while I am being told that so-and-so regrets to inform me of a rejection. I mean I have faced rejection from numerous programs while my peers have gotten in. It’s just going to be different because it’s like the next step, it’s something you’ve been working 12 years for.

20

Sort of a bump because I am curious. Would I have a shot of being wait listed at Boston University? I have chosen to apply for CGS because I want a strong foundation and to ensure that I walk away with a deep understanding of whatever it is that I choose to study in college.