What Kind of College Can I Get In To?

Agent92616 · 02-27-2009, 11:10 AM

I'm a high school junior in Pennsylvania, and lately I've been thinking a lot about college, and where I want to spend the 4 years after high school. I have somewhat good test scores, but pretty horrible grades. Anyway, I want to know what kind of college I could get into. Ivy League? State School?

SAT: 2250 (Retaking in March)
PSAT: 221
GPA UW: 3.4 (horrible I know)
GPA Weighted: 4.2 (out of a possible 5)
Class Rank: about 120 out of 850
Varsity Tennis Team
Marching Band

I really screwed up my freshman year, even getting a C+ in physical science, and mostly B's. After that, I have gotten A's with occasional B's. I have taken all honors courses freshman and sophomore years, and am taking 3 APs (Euro, Chem, and English) and the rest honors. I'm not sure what I want to major in..maybe Law or Pre-Med....

That's it really.....I know I have very poor ECs and grades. What is the best college I can get into?

LakeWashington · 02-27-2009, 11:26 AM

First of all, you're going to present a more positive description of yourself to admissions officers. Your present GPA will get you admitted to many colleges...if you demonstrate genuine desire, interest and commitment to your continued education. That may not mean the Ivy League, but clearly there are dozens of high caliber colleges and universities that will give you a fair look if you are genuinely interested in them (and if you demonstrate stronger performance henceforth).

That being said, you should know that admission to Penn State and Pittsburgh will be no cakewalk. I'd look at some fine privates in your region such as Allegheny College, Westminster College PA, U of Rochester, Canisius College, the College of Wooster, Ohio Wesleyan University, etc.

Agent92616 · 02-27-2009, 11:31 AM

So you're saying that even Penn State would be a reach for me? I have heard that it was very easy to get into but now I am not sure....

I can see that my GPA is a killer, but I hoped that my SAT would redeem me somewhat. I think I have demonstrated a strong upward trend (Bs and Cs in freshman year to As and Bs in AP classes junior year)

LakeWashington · 02-27-2009, 11:42 AM

I didn't say that Penn State is out of the question. Just be forewarned and realize that PSU is clearly quite a popular choice, so there'll be a lot of competition from applicants with very strong grades.

DougBetsy · 02-27-2009, 11:55 AM

Nothing is "horrible" or "poor" about you. Stop thinking that way! You have good shots are lots of fine schools. Ivies and "ivy-types" might be the only ones to rule out.

If you're really thinking Law or Med, your state flagship would be a great place to start. (is that Penn State?) You'll need to get the best UG education possible, in the most affordable way, since you'll be adding the financial obligation of law school or med school.

But flagships aren't for everyone. Look at everything. OOS schools and small privates are sometimes just as affordable as instate publics. Look around.

This will be fun!

Consolation · 02-27-2009, 12:12 PM

I don't think you have a realistic chance at the Ivies, but according to the published stats you should be able to get into Penn State and Pitt if you maintain a class rank in the top 20%

Agent92616 · 02-27-2009, 12:50 PM

Thanks, but I was hoping to go to somewhere a bit more prestigious than Penn State (average SAT score there is like 1800). If that's all I can get into though, I am happy with that.

I want a school with a wide variety of options, in case I change my mind about my major.

hmom5 · 02-27-2009, 01:02 PM

You will get into the vast majority of schools outside of the top 15 or so Universities and the top 6 or so LAC's.

Luckie Starchild · 02-27-2009, 01:07 PM

How about Carnegie-Mellon as a reach?

Consolation · 02-27-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Thanks, but I was hoping to go to somewhere a bit more prestigious than Penn State (average SAT score there is like 1800). If that's all I can get into though, I am happy with that.

I only restricted my reply to state schools (in your state) and Ivies because those were what you mentioned.

Certainly you should be able to get into a variety of schools. Are there any characteristics in particular you are looking for?

jym626 · 02-27-2009, 01:17 PM

You might look into Tulane. Your PSAT and SATs are strong, and your GPA seems fine. Yes, you might want to try to beef up your ECs if you can, but your stats look good, an it looks like you'll probably be a NMSF. Congrats. Oh... just as an aside (I am a stickler for this stuff, sorry), for your thread title, the word is "into", not "in to"

Agent92616 · 02-27-2009, 02:22 PM

I don't really have anything in particular I am looking for; I haven't even decided what to major in yet.

LuckyStarBoy · 02-27-2009, 07:11 PM

Definately check out the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

RonPaul_2012 · 02-27-2009, 07:19 PM

Penn State's a great school, and I would also recommend looking into UW Madison and maybe Northwestern.

morrismm · 02-27-2009, 07:45 PM

So from what hmom5 said, which i mostly agree with (but you never know!), you may have a hard time getting into 21 out of over 3000 schools. You may get into some of that 21 and may get rejected from some of the other 3000. But come-on guy. You are hardly a f-up.

The only things in which you do not stand out, as you said, are class rank and ecs. So IMPROVE THEM. You are a junior. There is still time for improvement.

There are many great schools you stand a good chance of acceptance.