Worried... do I have any chances?!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm new to this board... and so grateful that I found it!</p>

<p>I'm really scared that I ruined all of my chances to getting into a somewhat prestigious college. It's like... it didn't hit me until the end of last year (my sophomore year) that I needed to get my act together. But I'm worried that it's way too late... </p>

<p>I've got a 3.4 GPA. It's my junior year and I'm taking my first AP class- AP Human Geography, which I'm doing really well in..... solid A, first in the class. It makes me feel as though I could really handle more AP classes, and I'm thinking of picking up AP Lit, AP European history, and Macroeconomics for senior year. Is that too much? Honest opinions are helpful. I'm not struggling in my AP class now, and I'm truly enjoying it.... it's actually my first year where I'm getting an A in every single class. My 'estimated' ACT score is a 27.</p>

<p>Extra curricular wise... again I think I slacked off too much previous years. I was active in student council my freshman and sophomore year. Soph year I also got involved in the newspaper, and I became the Entertainment editor this year. I have a very, very strong chance of being Editor-in-chief next year. This year I'm also involved in Tapestry and SAE. I've had a job for a year now, and have worked over 300 hours. I volunteered with Special Olympics over the summer and I've also done work at a retirement home nearby. Soon I'll be interning for an organazation called PAVE, which is focused around victims of sexual assault. This August I'm going to England to visit a friend for a few weeks, and I'm hoping to do some volunteer work while I'm there; I think it'd be interesting.</p>

<p>I don't even know what colleges to begin to look at. I know I still have the chance of raising my GPA... but I feel as though my courseload and extra curricular activities are just so weak. It's like... this year I just got bitten by the Ivy League bug... I know I could never make it... but I just have such a strong desire to go a prestiogous college... I know I have the capability of doing well, but I'm just scared that the motivation came way too late. </p>

<p>My list of potential schools.... I dont even know where to begin to look... but narrowed it down to these... I think... for now... from safety to lonnng reach.</p>

<p>Depaul University
Marquette- Milkwaukee
University of Minnestoa- Twin Cities
Purdue University- West Lafayette
University of Chicago
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Illinois Wesleyan
New York University
Northwestern University
University of Michigan
University of Pennslyvania</p>

<p>I'm just wondering if those reach schools are even worth dreaming about... or if any of them look to be in my reach! Any suggestions/comments would be much appreciated.</p>

<p>Also, when getting a teacher's recommendation... does it help if they're well known? I'm thinking about asking my AP Human Geography teacher for a recommendation. I think he knows my capability and motivation, and he is President of the District's Teacher's Union, but I don't know if that even makes a difference. However, I am from a pretty good, competitive district...</p>

<p>Samantha</p>

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<p>Hi Samanta! Well, first off, don't fret. Your GPA is not nearly as bad as you make it sound. A 3.4 can be pulled up to a 3.6 with a solid 4.0 your junior year. Also, if you apply RD to certain schools, you can bring up your GPA even higher with your senior first semester grades. Once again, a 3.4 is very good, especially if you make it higher. And plenty of people on this board and at my school have gotten into great colleges with way worse stats, so just do your best.</p>

<p>It would be nice to know your rank. Do you go to a competitive hs? </p>

<p>Your ACT is good. Good enough for most second tier and lower first tier schools. Study hard for it and aim as high as possible.</p>

<p>I like the way you do things that interest you, vs. overly padding your resume. I think that might help you. </p>

<p>But, if your heart is set on the ivies, or any college that selective, it's going to be VERY difficult. Of course apply, but don't get your hopes up.</p>

<p>It would be nice to know what you might major in. It seems like you enjoy the full spectrum of classes, and enjoy learning. A LAC really sounds good for you. Otherwise, I can't help you if all you want is prestige.</p>

<p>So I have some q's: </p>

<p>How big of a college do you want? 5000 students? 2000? 35000?</p>

<p>What is your prospective major, or what area do you see yourself enjoying most(math, english, etc.)?</p>

<p>What area of the country would you like? DC? Texas? Michigan?</p>

<p>What kinda campus? Urban? Rural? College Town?</p>

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<p>Samantha said:</p>

<p>Sorry I deleted the original post cause I thought it was in the wrong forum! But thanks so much for your reply!! ... </p>

<p>I'm not sure if my high school is considered competitive... at the end of last year I was around 39%. This year I'm almost positive those numbers will change.</p>

<p>The only way I think it's even possible for me to get into a selective school is if my essay is fabulous, while reading the board I see that they seem to be incredibly important. This can win be some points, as writing is one thing I am very good at. I plan to major in Journalism.</p>

<p>I would like to stay in state (I am in Illinois-- a suburb of Chicago) or go Northeast, size of school really doesn't matter to me. I do enjoy smaller classrooms where the teacher knows my name, but I don't think this will be a major, deciding factor for me. I'd prefer an urban campus... I've always loved the city atmosphere, but again this isn't a truly deciding factor. What I'm really looking for in a college is a place that is known for a good atmosphere. I'm not into sports, I'm not into the party-scene. I want to go to a place where I'm not the only one staying in to read a good book by choice, and a place that has people who really enjoy learning and want to get a strong education.</p>

<p>Thanks again for responding!!! It's so much better talking about this... the websites I visit to find information really don't allow me much room to ask questions or cater to my personal interests </p>

<p>Samantha</p>

4

<p>Some good urban schools with good journalism programs:</p>

<p>Northeastern University-It has a good journalism program, and is in Boston.
Emerson College-An urban, artsy school with a good journalism school also in Boston.
George Washington University-In D.C., lots of opportunities in the city for journalism
American University-A nice match for you, and it's in a nice residential area of DC
DEPAUL-A great school in your area that fits your needs!
University of Chicago-Well, it's a huge reach, but it sounds good for you!
College of Charleston-don't know if it has your major, but in a great city, it has small classes, and more LA focused. In SC, though</p>

<p>I have another question. Do you prefer to stay in-state for financial reasons, or because you want to be close to home? I can say right now that the universities on your list are all great, but some are just too big and in my opinion, not personal enough for you. These are the colleges that I recommend scratching from your list- University of Minnestoa- Twin Cities
Purdue University- West Lafayette
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Illinois
University of Michigan</p>

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<p>Also, check out a website that the mods hate- Princeton review .com</p>

<p>This is a great site if you just want to browse colleges in their "college quickfinder" section. They have hundreds of schools and have helpful information in an organized manner. I wouldn't recommend the discussion board, though, that sucks.</p>

<p>Also, look into US news's LAC rankings. Here are some good fits for you:</p>

<p>Union College (NY)
42. Centre College (KY)
DePauw University (IN)
Occidental College (CA)
45. Gettysburg College (PA)
Rhodes College (TN)
Skidmore College (NY)
48. Sarah Lawrence College (NY)
Wabash College (IN)
50. Denison University (OH)
51. Wheaton College (IL)
Willamette University (OR)
53. Agnes Scott College (GA)
Beloit College (WI)
Illinois Wesleyan University<br>
Kalamazoo College (MI)
Lawrence University (WI)
Reed College (OR)1
59. College of Wooster (OH)
Drew University (NJ)
Pitzer College (CA)
62. Southwestern University (TX)
St. Lawrence University (NY)
St. Olaf College (MN)
Wheaton College (MA)
66. Spelman College (GA)
Wofford College (SC)
68. Hobart and William Smith Col. (NY)
Sweet Briar College (VA)
70. Austin College (TX)
Birmingham - Southern College (AL)
Earlham College (IN)
Hendrix College (AR)
Mills College (CA)
Muhlenberg College (PA)
Ursinus College (PA)
77. Gustavus Adolphus College (MN)
Knox College (IL)
Lewis and Clark College (OR)
St. John's University (MN)
University of Puget Sound (WA)
Virginia Military Institute *
83. Albion College (MI)
Allegheny College (PA)
Randolph - Macon Woman's College (VA)
Washington and Jefferson Col. (PA)
87. Hollins University (VA)
St. Mary's College of Maryland *
89. Augustana College (IL)
Hanover College (IN)
Millsaps College (MS)
Ohio Wesleyan University<br>
Presbyterian College (SC)
Thomas Aquinas College (CA)
Washington College (MD)
96. Bennington College (VT)
Goucher College (MD)
Hillsdale College (MI)
Hope College (MI)
Principia College (IL)
101. College of St. Benedict (MN)
Hampshire College (MA)
Juniata College (PA)
Luther College (IA)
105. Coe College (IA)
Lake Forest College (IL)
Randolph - Macon College (VA)
Transylvania University (KY)
Wells College (NY)
Wittenberg University (OH)</p>

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<p>Thanks for the suggestions, particularly the ones to knock off my list.... very helpful!</p>

<p>I prefer to stay in state probably cause it IS home, but in no way am I opposed to leaving. If I was staying in state, I'd only go somewhere in Chicago... not even for the fact that it's home, but because I love the city. I mainly just want to find the RIGHT college. Probably 70% of the people who aren't going to community college from my district will be going to University of Illinoius Urbana or Illinois State. While there isn't anything wrong with those schools, I want something more. I don't want to migrate with everyone else... I want to go somewhere where I can start fresh. If that means going out of state, I am fine with that! For some reason I have no desire to go to somewhere with a warm climate- I want to stay somewhere with snow in the winter, hah. </p>

<p>Really... I'm just looking for a school that REALLY values education. A place where the teachers know their students names. Financially I used to be worried about college... but right now, price isn't on my mind. I'll find a way to pay for it.</p>

<p>Maybe it sounds ultra-nerdy, but I want to go to a school with a history. By the time I graduate I'll have 7.5 social studies credits (requirement is 2 for graducation), and three of them will be AP. I'm fascinated by anything historical. A college where renowned theories emerged... a place where a brilliant, famous mind got their education. It's just fascinating to me.</p>

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<p>Sorry, I am not really familiar with Chicago, but I do that UC is pretty great for what you want. OK, so let's scratch College of Charleston. </p>

<p>Depaul really, really, really seems like the perfect fit for you. That's just my opinion.</p>

<p>Also, add on Fordham University in NYC, keep NYU(but realize that this is not a very personal university at all and can be very difficult on students), and just start a huntin'. As long as you have an idea of where you want to go, you are on a good track as a junior. You don't have to narrow down your list until senior year. Just focus on visiting different schools, and realizing what type clicks with you. I am sure some other knowledgeable CC'ers(probably in the parents forum) that can give you some good hints. Good Luck!</p>