<p>First off, hello! This is my first post and I'm a bit nervous. </p>
<p>I'm a senior in high school and I've made my fair share of academic mistakes. I know my achievements are a long, LONG way from being stellar, but do you think I have a shot at getting into a nonstate college? Preferably one without a University-of-Phoenix-reputation?</p>
<p>I have an unweighted GPA of 3.5 and a weighted GPA of 4.5. I got an SAT score of 1810 (I'm taking the subject test next week) and I've taken the ACT 3 times and gotten a 26 and two 27's (I plan on taking it one last time very soon.) I'm in the top 25% of my class, I'm a member of the National Honor Society, I volunteer regularly at a community center in my town, I volunteered at a hospital during the summer, and I am the founder of my high school's Gay Straight Alliance (I live in the Bible Belt, so I thought that may be significant.) I've lived in four countries, I speak three different languages, and I'm currently learning two others. I'm sure I can get good recommendations from my teachers and I can write a thoughtful entrance essay. However, I've only got one AP credit so far (a 4 in English and Composition). I'm in 5 AP classes this year, but my results will arrive only after I've applied to college. Yeah, "academic mistake" is about right.</p>
<p>Thank you for your opinions! They are invaluable to me.</p>
<p>Whoa! You have a 4.5W and a 27 ACT. When I opened this I was expecting a 2.8 and a 1200 out of 2400 or something. You are definitely not doomed to University of Phoenix! I don’t know what you’re looking for in a college but there are many great places that would be glad to take you… maybe not Harvard, but there are other places out there.</p>
<p>Wheww! I’m ridiculously glad to hear that, Rebeccar. :'D I have a small list of colleges in mind, and their admittance rates range from 22% and 27% (I’ve allowed myself two fantasies, haha) to 49% and 53% (I think I may have a chance.)</p>
<p>I agree that you have a good chance for the 53%. There are even some 22% colleges that you could easily get into, admissions rates are often deceiving.</p>
<p>Yeah you’re doing great. There are plenty of reputable schools that would accept you. Just look around at some schools and and find some where your SAT score is within range.</p>
<p>You absolutely have a shot at getting into a good, nonstate school. The task now is narrowing down your college list to schools that will be a good fit, but also realistic in terms of admissions and cost</p>
<p>There is, on this very site, a search engine that will give you some schools to consider, within the parameter your provide. SAT scores and GPA are considered. I agree with rebeccar - I was expecting a lot worse when I clicked on your thread. I was actually expecting one more kid who has got caught for infractions and wants to know if they can still go to Harvard.</p>
<p>Look at BU and Northeastern</p>
<p>Much will depend on what your family can afford. If you can pay for out of state publics and privates, there are many that will accept you. </p>
<p>Needing much aid would dramatically change the options and would make in state schools the ones to focus on unfortunately. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your honest answers! I’m afraid I haven’t found any 22% admittance schools where I feel I’d be accepted, but I’'ll keep looking. I’m in Statistics and I know about misleading rates firsthand, you’d think I could weed out the good schools myself. 
And I’ll definitely use the search engine you mentioned, anotherparent, it looks very helpful! I’m researching BU and Northeastern right now, stopandbelieve, thanks for the suggestion. Now to look at the costs…(!)</p>
<p>Northeastern looks at weighted gpa’s so you’d have a pretty good shot there. I also agree with the BU suggestion. Maybe a reach, but what about Villanova?</p>
<p>I’ll look up Villanova, thanks! I’m not sure I’d have a good shot at Northeastern, though. We have to report our midterm grades, and I got an F (57) on my 2nd progress report. Sure it’s at a stable C now and the A’s I got in my AP classes “cancel” it out GPA-wise, but I’d think that’s a definite no from a college like that. :(</p>
<p>Does your school use Naviance? I find it useful for comparing myself to other applicants, both accepted and rejected.</p>
<p>Some other ideas:
UConn, Bryant, Syracuse, Ithaca, Penn State (University Park), Elon, UDel, UMD, American, Catholic, Connecticut College, GWU, Providence College, Fairfield</p>
<p>I just went on Naviance and looked at schools with avg. accepted students test scores around yours. But then again, that’s for students from my high school. Just throwing out some names to get the ball rolling!</p>
<p>I think if your stats go up a bit and you emphasize that you speak 3 languages many schools will be interested in you. I would research the schools that have good programs for what you’re going to study. Good luck.</p>