Which should I ED? Northwestern, USC, UPenn?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello, I'm new to CC, but I've read tons of posts from this page as it always pops up when I search information for various colleges. In my experience, however, I've seen tons of stellar stats that are quite intimidating. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>I am a black, hispanic/european minority that attends a public school near Houston, TX. My family isn't high income either and my parents are divorced so even lower than we were last year.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.06 weighted; 3.4 unweighted.
SATs: 1790 (600R 590M 600W)
Intended major: Business and/or Law</p>

<p>Senior schedule:
4 APs (Economics, Government, Human Geography, English IV).
2 Journalism and Newspaper classes
1 Counselor Aide</p>

<p>ECs: </p>

<p>[President and Captain] Speech & Debate (member for 4th year, ranked top 16 in nation, 3rd place in Texas State, spend like every weekend debating at tournaments)</p>

<p>[President] Nations United (for second year, we don't do much though)</p>

<p>[Senior Editor] Pre Law Society (for second year, we write reviews on laws and discuss different legal proceedings -- kinda more like a government club)</p>

<p>[President] Freshman and Sophomore Class (not anymore, but now I'm on Prom Committee and I'm a class representative).</p>

<p>[Vice President] History Club (third year -- first year as VP; we visit the Holocaust museum, run video game tournaments, celebrate/decorate for patriotic and historic holidays). </p>

<p>[Member of] National Honor Society, Academic Decathlon [4th year -- perfect scorer in interview (1000/1000)].</p>

<p>[Journalist] School Newspaper.</p>

<p>I played sports for two years: tennis and football. But I don't think that matters much. I can't think of what else I need to add. My letters of rec are coming from my counselor, decathlon and debate coach, and my psychology teacher.</p>

<p>But, looking at everything holistically, do I even stand a chance against the other applicants to Northwestern, USC, or UPenn? If not, are there any other good schools that you'd recommend?</p>

2

<p>Additional information: My class rank is 34/600**</p>

3

<p>Your unweighted GPA and SAT are both much lower than those of the admitted students at Northwestern and UPenn, which makes even ED a very long shot. However, you do stand a chance at USC ED, although not a particularly good one.</p>

<p>What are some of your prospective majors? Also, since you mentioned that your family isn’t very well off, which means financial aid is a must, you might want to re-consider EDing anywhere at all.</p>

4

<p>USC has neither ED nor EA. There is no “law” major in college. It is a graduate school; in undergrad you major in virtually anything and then apply to law school in senior year. “Pre-law” is also not a major; it’s just an advisory program in undergrad for those considering law school and listing or mentioning “pre-law” on application has no impact on admission, one way or the othe other. </p>

<p>Stats are low for both Penn and Northwestern but as URM you have some chance. Be aware that you need two SAT IIs for Penn (or alternatively you can submit ACT in lieu of both SAT and SAT IIs). NW does not require IIs but recomends three. USC does not require IIs but recommends two.</p>

<p>As to other “good” schools, how long of a list do you want. University of Texas, Austin is very good, as is Texas A&M, for both of which you would pay in-state tutition. Your class rank (top 10%) guarantees you admission to both. There are many other good schools. It is a myth that only very high rank schools are good schools.</p>

5

<p>I agree about the SAT scores. You might want to consider taking the ACT too</p>

6

<p>As others have said, your rank and scores make you very unlikely candidates for UPenn and NU.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all of the assistance thus far. I mentioned my prospective majors for grad school as a means to justify my decision in attending their undergraduate program. I would apply to the Arts and Science department at NU, or the equivalent at UPenn. </p>

<p>I’m looking to move out of state, so UT Austin is my safety school. I’m unfamiliar with the ACT; what score should I strive for? I guess I should’ve mentioned that I am taking SAT IIs in Oct: Math I, US History, and English Lit.</p>

<p>I don’t understand why I don’t do so well with grades. Perhaps I can apply to colleges that are SAT-optional? Thanks for the advice and all the responses have been helpful. I just don’t want to make the wrong decision, well, early.</p>

8

<p>

</p>

<p>Then ED is a bad idea.</p>

9

<p>The rank is fine as a URM candidate. If you can pull up the score to 1950 plus (or try ACT), you’d have an excellent shot at USC and a shot at the others.</p>

10

<p>eh I’d have a safety school.</p>

11

<p>To have done as well as you did with low income is pretty good. You could have a shot at these schools because they want to help kids who have succeeded despite barriers.</p>