Grant1984

UChicago
Brandies
SUNY Purchase
Illinois institute of technology
Penn State
Bowdoin
Boston University
American University
Hartford Univeristy
American University of Paris
Bates college
Georgetown
Layfaette Univeristy

AP's - Psychology, Enviromental science, Government.

Honors - American history, world history, economics, English I, II, III, biology, chemistry, statistics and probability.

Algebra 1, 2, Geometry, earth/space.

Sat - 1280

Extras - officer of Ecology club, member of Amnesty club, member of O'interact, summer internship for President Obama's grassroots campaign, writer for Youth-Leader Magazine (UN online volunteer program), editor for the museum of Cameroon (UN online volunteer program), acceptance into the American University of Paris summer program, acceptance for summer internship for Senator Bill Nelason.

I know some of my schools are way behind my chances. However I do believe my essay and extras do stand a minute chance. Also the fact that I am a kid under the line of poverty, if that helps. Please just let me know what schools I stand the best chances with and what I need to fix.

Thanks

muckdogs07

I assume the 1280 SAT is for CR + M and does not include W. What is your rank? Curriculum does not look very strong compared to competition (no calc, no AP hard science), but perhaps your school district ahs a limited curriculum. Are you a URM? Colleges focus more on URM than on economic status, although you might get slight bump for this at some schools. Good ECs and interesting summer experiences.

Kind of late in the game to fix things now, but at minimum take the SAT in November to try and bump up your score and maybe also try your hand at the ACT in the next month too as at times students will do substantially better on one test than the other.

Overall, based on limited information, I would guess as follows:

Chicago, Georgetown = high reaches (less than 10%)

Bowdoin = reach (10 - 33%)

Lafayette, Boston University, Bates, Brandeis = low reaches (33 - 50%; this is where I would use your ED if you are considering doing so)

AU, Penn State OOS, Suny Purchase OOS = low matches (50 - 66%)

IIT = match (66 - 90%)

Hartford = safety

AU of Paris = No idea

Grant1984

Thanks for the fast reply. I just took the SAT for October and I'm waiting for scores. Might as well be honest, it's CR M & W. I'm also taking the ACT in October. Chicago, is merely dream. They don't have requirments so I said "why not." I am taking advantage of a lot of test optional schools: Bowdoin, Bates, AU, etc. I'm not good at math at all. My basic algebra teacher got fired for practicing religion, so I spent a year of various subs and no learning which has screwed me for life. Lastly what's a ED?

Grant1984

My school has a total of 3000 students. Around 800 are seniors. I stand probably in the middle, 3.3 weighted GPA. Oh and I do varsity Cross Country, if that adds to my chances at all

Grant1984

Oh and I'm Jewish, and half Canadian if that counts as a URM

rainydays05

Being Jewish and Canadian unfortunately doesn't make you an URM. Cross your fingers that your SATs come back higher, because right now your chances for uchicago and georgetown are slim.

Grant1984

Oh believe me know. Like I said though there is no minimum score for Chicago so I decided to go for it. I already know I have no chance

Grant1984

Also would an achievement like losing 80 pounds increase my chances at all?

Grant1984

Would it help me that my Brother went to Suny and is in the notable alumi section?

muckdogs07

ED means early decision. Chicago has holitics oprocess and focuses on essays, but it too looks at test scores. Try ACT.

Grant1984

I'm taking the ACT in October , and the SAT in November. I now have a math tutor so I'm hoping that will bring the score up. Thanks for the advice

ArtsyGirl13

With those late test dates you won't be able to apply ED. Right now UChicago and Georgetown are unrealistic, your test scores are just too low. Being Jewish will not help you get in, though you may qualify for some outside scholarships. As for the loosing weight it may make an interesting essay, but won't really increase your chances. Also why did you stop taking math after algebra 2?

To save time, schools care about only a few things for the most part. GPA, class rank and test scores, they are huge in admissions, and are not subjective/tell a lot about a student. Most care about ECs, specifically community service and leadership. As for recommendations and essays how much the matter varies by school.

Grant1984

To be honest, I got the fee waiver for common app so I said "if its free might as well try to Chicago." I am in no way awaiting an acceptance letter from them. I took the SAT this October, so I have to judge it from there when scores come in about 12 days. It's also why I'm taking advantage of test optional schools: Bowdoin, AU, Bates. My senior class has about 700 students so we don't know our rank. I'm probably right in the middle. For math this year I'm taking stats, oh and marine science (forgot to put that for science)

Grant1984

Also a close family friend of mine went to Chicago and thought he could put in a good word for me for the alumni interview