Lehigh2017

So I am a junior trying to decide which school I should ED to. My two top favorites are UPenn and Lehigh, one being obviously easier to get into (not to take away anything from Lehigh, it is still my #2 school).

GPA: 3.7 unweighted -- 4.5 weighted
SAT: 2140
Math: 740 CR: 700 Writing: 700 Reading
Class Rank: Not Reported (In the top 10%, but I don't know any more)

10 APs (4 Junior + 5 Senior year)
I haven't received any scores yet, but they should average about a 4+
ALL the rest were honors classes

Extra-Curriculars:
- Cofounded a nonprofit for Pancreatic Cancer Research (called RHSO)
- Organize walks and miscellaneous fundraisers for nonprofit
- Director of Communications and PR for same nonprofit
- Key Club (09-present, Treasurer next year)
- Peer Leader
- Peer Mediator
- Anti Bullying Action Committee Founding Member
- Lighting technician for all school plays and musicals (2011 - present)
- CCD Teacher

Work Experience
- Child Supervisor at a gym (23 hours / week for all of junior year)
- Private tutor and babysitter (30 hours / week for sophomore and junior summers)
- Part time eBay business (freshman / sophomore summers)

Thanks!

Elderberry

You have a very good chance at UPenn. Your EC's are amazing, you have a high GPA and high SAT scores. Have you taken the SAT ll? I don't really know anything about Lehigh. What are you majoring in? This can also affect your chances when you apply. Is it competitive? I don't think you should worry much.

Lehigh2017

I haven't done the SAT IIs yet, but I will do Bio, Math 1 and Math 2. And my major (hopefully) will be bioengineering or biomedical engineering.

barrk123

Lehigh - Match
UPenn - Reach (2200+ SAT wanted)


You are in at Lehigh RD, you should ED Penn

Lehigh2017

Thanks, barrk123 and Elderberry. I am just worried that if I ED to UPenn I won't get in and then I won't get into Lehigh regular decision either! I worry to much.

ImSoAmbitious

You are definitely into Leigh. A lot of kids at my school(higher stats than you do) use it as a safety. I would say that it is a low match for you. I don't think you have a shot at UPenn, but its worth applying. Your stats are too low for UPenn, and you have good ECs, but nothing stands out. I may be wrong as I don't know how big your nonprofit is. If it is significant then your application is very very good. A 2140 will not cut it though, so you will need to improve it. Try getting it up around 100 points Write good essays, get good recs, and apply ED and u should have a good shot if the SAT goes up. Your GPA is low however, but your courses look somewhat rigorous and the type of school you go to can offset this.

Hockeydude664

^Yes you do. Lehigh is a safety for you to be frank. Your SAT score I'm pretty sure is above their mid 50% and your EC's are amazing. Definitely ED at Penn; you really do have a good shot. Though if you're up for it, retake the SAT and try for 2200.

Lehigh2017

Thanks for all the opinions thus far. Does anyone else have any advice / opinions of my chances?

myraven11

Could you help me out, too? I'd really appreciate it if you could be gentle if you don't think I could get in, and tell me why... don't just say "Forget JHU, you'll never get in there!" Lol.

I want to apply to:
Johns Hopkins University
University of Pennsylvania
Duke University
Carnegie Mellon University
George Washington University
University of Maryland, College Park (the main campus everyone knows about)
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Meyerhoff Scholars Program)
Penn State University, University Park (main campus)
American University

Intended Majors:
Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Med <3 (I'm afraid my SAT I math score may hinder me though, especially at Hopkins. Hopefully a good SAT II math score and my 5 on AP Calc, which I worked REALLY hard for, balance it out. What do you think?)
Biology (Back-up)
Chemical Engineering (Back-up)

High school junior! (c/o '13, yeaaaaa!! )

I'm from Maryland and our transcripts include a regular cumulative GPA out of 4.0 and a weighted GPA (called a QPA, or quantitative point average) out of 6.0, depending on whether you've taken standard, honors, gifted and talented (G/T), AP/IB courses (listed in order of least to greatest weight. G/T and AP/IB are weighted the same. It is NOT possible to get a perfect 6.0 unless you've taken like G/T Physical Education and courses alike, which aren't offered.)

Ethnicity/Race and gender(this shouldn't matter, but I heard it could be a deciding factor): African-American female

Lower to Regular Middle Class

GPA: 3.9/4.0
QPA: 5.4/6.0
AP courses: Calculus AB- 5
Biology- 5
English Lang- 4
Chemistry (Senior year)
Calculus BC (Senior year)
English Lit (Senior year)

Never ever gotten a C as a quarter or final grade, and I pride myself in that

Other notable courses:
Pre- IB Physics
College level Physics (at community college)
Pre-IB Chemistry
Anatomy and Physiolocy Honors
AP US HIstory (no AP score; don't really like history so I didn't want to take the exam)
4 levels of G/T and IB Spanish
G/T Pre-Calculus
Honors Trigonometry with Analytical Geometry
Honors Application to Robotics and Principles
and others (mostly arts, history, english, and courses needed for graduation from a Maryland public high school)

Class Rank:
1 out of 202

SAT I:
1930
M- 640 CR-600 W-690 Essay- 10

SAT II:
Just took it last week (June 2012). Scores come out in 2 weeks, so I'll update this post when its out.
Biology M
Math II
Physics (in October, after my college physics course)

Extracurriculars (not in any particular order):
Current Student Member of the Maryland State Board of Education
President of the National Honor Society
Leader of the Robotics Team
DECA
Debate Team
It’s Academic! Team
Leader of a Christian teenage group that participates in community outreach programs
Mentoring Program
Pittsburgh Project: Rebuilding houses for the needy in the city of Pittsburgh, PA
A community walk to raise money for water wells in Africa and other developing countries and regions
Girls Track and Field
Girls Varsity Soccer
Bible Club
Cheerleading
Captain of JV Track team (10th grade only)

Jobs:
Founder of Infinite Pride Tutoring (Pretty cool, huh? I actually wrote a business plan and everything.)
Babysitting

Achievements:
DECA Marketing Mathematics Regional Champion 2012
DECA Marketing Management Regional Champion 2012
DECA Marketing Management State Champion 2012
Front page article of community newspaper acknowledging nomination for the student member position of the Maryland State Board of Education
MPSSAA Student-athlete Certificate (Grades 9, 10 and 11)
Academic Honor Roll since the sixth grade
County Champion in the 300m hurdles, runner-up (2nd place) in the 100m hurdles, 2nd place in the 4x200m relay, and 1st in the 4x100m relay
Regional Competitor (5th) in the 300m hurdles in the 10th grade

NOTE: NONE OF THIS IS MADE UP!!!

Thanks so much!! I'll chance back

Lehigh2017

Myraven11, your extra circulars are good (they be better if you can show leadership in them). Also, it is somewhat of a laundry list so I'd recommend you narrow it down to the 10 most important (on the common app, there's only room for 10, anyway). Your awards are a nice touch, also. However, as you said, your SAT scores are a little low and if anything would prevent you from getting into JHU it would be those. However, I am not saying you will not get into JHU, it will just be slightly harder, unless of course you retake the SAT. I find it a little odd that you do so well on AP math exams but not on SAT exams... maybe you just had a bad day? I'd definitely try it again.

Johns Hopkins University - Their biomed program is insanely hard to get into so I'd say its a reach, but it's a reach for almost everyone.
University of Pennsylvania - Reach
Duke University - Reach
Carnegie Mellon University - This is much more likely, I'd say a match or a slight reach
George Washington University - Match
University of Maryland, College Park (the main campus everyone knows about) - Match
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (Meyerhoff Scholars Program) - I don't know about the Meyerhof Scholars Program, sorry.
Penn State University, University Park (main campus) - Match
American University - Easiest match of those listed.

By the way, I never say safety, as I don't think there's such thing, so don't be offended by some of the ones I said match to but would be considered by some to be "safety."

myraven11

@Lehigh2017 Thank you so much. Honestly the best answer I've gotten thus far.
I agree with the math score thing... it's really weird. I think I'll work on it over the summer and take the SATs again in October or November.

Lehigh2017

Myraven11, no problem I'm glad to help. I really feel like you have a good chance at those schools (JHU, UPenn, and Duke) even though I said reach, by the way. I just feel like those schools are always a reach. Good luck!

askjeeves

Like others have said, Penn will probably be more or less a high reach. I will be very surprised if you get in w/o hook or URM status. It's worth applying though.

I am less optimistic than the other students on this thread regarding your chances at Lehigh. I think it is definitely in the low match/match category, but definitely not a "safety".

myraven11

By the way, Lehigh2017, I almost forgot!

Your extracurriculars are really good. Your GPA and weighted GPA is on par and so is your SAT score. What are you looking to study? Do you have any SAT II subject test scores yet? I've heard that SAT IIs can really strengthen your application to top universities.

Your work experience is legit! Also, have you taken any interesting courses that will make you stand out-- ie anything at school (for example, if you're interested in robotics, take a robotics class that isn't commonly offered to show your interest.) or a summer program at a university (for example, I did Stanford EPGY and many do Johns Hopkins CTY. Your SAT scores and GPA look awesome, so I'm sure you could've gotten into one).

Other than that:
Lehigh-- (from Princeton Review)
SAT:
Reading Middle 50%:
580 - 680
Math Middle 50%:
640 - 720
GPA isn't listed, but I'd say you're a shoe-in-- a low match or even a safety. Just write some AWESOME essays!

UPenn-- (from Princeton Review, too)
SAT:
Reading Middle 50%:
660 - 750
Math Middle 50%:
690 - 780
Writing Middle 50%:
670 - 770
Average HS GPA:
3.9
I'd say Penn is more of a reach, although your SAT score falls right in their middle 50%. But, with these schools noone is guaranteed admission. But you do have a really good chance, though! Remember, awesome essays!!

Hope this helps !

Python20

Lehigh is a school that likes to see your interest. If you can be sure to visit, ask questions, join any on-line opportunities!

They will waitlist you if they feel you are using them for a safety. Just be sure to contact them, and keep saying yes, this is my first choice.

Also sat2 - if you take math 2, you wont take math 1. It's already covered in math 2 and schools dont want to see both.

good luck, lehigh looks like a great choice for you (and they offer merit aid)