UVA is the school of my dreams. It is my goal to attend that school! My grades and extracurriculars (in my opinion) are stellar, however, my weak SAT scores may weight me down. 
Please read my little “resume” and tell me if you think I can get in!
-I attend a Catholic High School in New Jersey, I am in the top 20% of the class.
- Honors Classes (all 4 years): Honors English 1,2,3; Honors US 1, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Spanish 3, Honors Pre-Calc, Honors Spanish 4
- AP classes: APUSH (I scored a 3; this was the first test administered after the redesigning!) /// AP Euro, AP Environmental, AP Literature (I am taking these three courses senior year)
GPA: 99.98 (converts to a 4.0)
Extracurriculars:
- Girls Varsity Soccer, Girls Varsity Swimming, Girls Varsity Lacrosse
- Outside of school, I have been a member of my Competitive Club Soccer Team from when I was 10 (I am now 17).
- I am Senior Class President
- I have a job at a consignment store
- Helping Hands Club (at my school)
- Catholic Athletes for Christ (school function)
- President of “The Make A Wish Foundation Club” (at school) (I am a child who was able to make a wish, because I battle a chronic, life-threatening illness; this is my way of giving back because I am forever thankful)
Accomplishments:
- I have been a Member of the National Honor Society for Junior and Senior year
- I won Honorable Mention for CPA Biology and CPA Algebra 1
- I won Honorable Mention in the May 2015 Science Fair at my school for the Rearticulation of a Chicken Skeleton
****I am attending SHELF Leadership Conference in July 2015 at Chestnut Hill
Community Service:
- I volunteer at the food bank once a month
- Volunteer at the Best Day Foundation
- Clean Ocean Action of the Jersey Shore Volunteer
- This year I am going to organize a school team and fundraise for the annual “Great Strides Against Cystic Fibrosis” event in my town.
- ****( I am considering starting to volunteer at my local hospital or animal shelter soon)
SAT Scores (my least favorite part)… (I find it very strange because I do so well on practice tests but not when it really counts… on practice tests I get 1990s):
Math: 570
CR: 540
Writing: 630
**** I am taking the ACT in September and I am hoping to do better on this; my tutor says my brain works in a way that is more compatible with the ACT…
- I would also like to add that an important part of my application (especially in my Common App Essay) is my lifelong battle with Cystic Fibrosis, and how I overcome it everyday. Most kids with my disease handicap themselves and limit their abilities, however, as proven in my resume, I defy the standards of my disease and I do not let anything stop me. It is almost UNHEARD OF for people with my disease to play sports... I don't let anything stand in my way!!! I am always looking for ways to give back to the community and to raise awareness for my disease.
So… do you think I will get into UVA? William & Mary? Richmond? Please let me know below!
Thank you all so much for your time! Your responses are truly appreciated, as it will truly guide me during my college application process.
Great story about the CF. Proud of you for battling it and not letting it consume you. I have had a similar bout with type 1 diabetes (not as bad as CF, but still difficult to live with on a daily basis). Now, to the chances part. UVA is also my dream school, so I have done a myriad (way too much probably, hahaha) of research on the university, admissions, etc. With these numbers and even the great story, you’ve got no shot at UVA. Unless you bring the SAT up to at least 2000 and get a 30+ on the ACT, there’s just no chance. EC’s are good, but typical for a school as prestigious as UVA. For William and Mary, I think your chances are a low reach. Your numbers are a little below average, but with the story and pretty good sports/EC’s, I think you stand a decent chance. I would suggest scheduling an interview with them, as they are known for their low-stress, helpful interviews. Richmond, I have no idea, as I haven’t done any research on them. With that being said, I applaud you again for living life to the fullest as you have and wish you luck in the future.
@tigerrocks13 Thank you so much! Your kind and inspiring words truly gave me a great boost of confidence. I always knew UVA would be a tough one… I think I am just going to have to lower my standards. W&M is a great school and I am thrilled to hear your opinion… thank you for your awesome advice with the interviews! Best of luck to you with your college search and your battle with Type 1 Diabetes
ALSO I FORGOT TO MENTION:
I am a student Ambassador
I did the Freshman Hospitality Club as a Freshman
No problem and thank you! I always applaud courage when I see it, and you definitely exhibit that to a T. And yes, W&M is a great school. The best part about it is that acceptance isn’t crazy selective, yet it maintains its academic prestige each year. Personally, it was another dream school for me, but I’ve had to let it go. Out of state is pricey there, and the only merit aid they offer is the equivalent of in state tuition, room and board, etc., which leaves too much to pay out of pocket. Again, best of luck to you as you take the ACT/SAT and I wish you good luck in the admissions process!
William and Mary & UVA are I’d say equally as tough to get into… Both have an acceptance rate of around 30%, with similar GPA and SAT/ACT scores… So realistically, I don’t think your chances are really all that better at William and Mary. That being said I was actually waitlisted at UVA. My stats were similar to yours except I had a higher ranking and higher test scores (about a 30 ACT and 2020 SAT). However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get in with your test scores, somewhere around 50% of students who get in to UVA had lower test scores than mine, so don’t give up.
@gdlt234 Thank you for those very encouraging words! Very much appreciated!
I’m also top 20% at a competitive school and my extracurriculars aren’t identical, but as extensive as yours. UVA is my number one. Also, I’m sure you can raise your chances of getting accepted with the ACT. I initially took the SAT and got an 1820, but then I switched to the ACT. After some tutoring, I got a 30- it is a totally different test. I’m really nervous about getting in too because I feel that even with a 30, I’m still below average. Anyways, Good luck!