bms2009

So I thought I had a halfway decent chance of getting into my top schools, but looking through these posts I'm getting VERY insecure b/c I'm not sure I measure up!!! Chance me please, and offer advice!!!

Sex: F

School: College Prep (Private), Baltimore MD

Class Rank: top 10% (I think 4 out of 90)

GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.6 weighted

SATs: 780 CR, 780 W, 770 M

AP classes I take/will be taking next year: Spanish, BC Calc, English Lit, Stat, Physics, English Lang

*I skipped a year in math, so I am taking AP Calc as a junior*

*My school is the most academically rigorous private school in Maryland, and the administration offers VERY few AP's to underclassmen b/c in comparison to other schools, EVERY class at my school is at the honors level....at least that's the explanation they give us....and we're told that our school has a "very distinguished reputation" with admissions officers....who really knows*

Awards: Honor Roll every year, Cum Laude Society, Maryland Distinguished Scholar, National Merit Scholar (Semifinalist I think), finished third in Maryland Math League Competition

ECs: Varsity Dance Co. (3 yrs), President and CoFounder of AIDS Awareness (a community service-based student organization), President of Christian Fellowship, Editor in Chief of School newspaper, 1 year of Student Government

Also: spent last summer teaching dance to underprivileged girls to fulfill community service hours, have been accepted to and will attend Columbia University summer program this year, will also have an internship at Morgan Stanley, very strong essay writer, have become very close with two teachers whose recs I know will be very good

My top choices are Columbia, Wharton, Princeton, Yale, and Georgetown

Narcissa

hmm. i think it depends now on ur school's ability to get people into college. How many people have gone to columbia, wharton, etc. in the past years? and how do they compare to you? i think you have a great chance tho! good luck!

Columbia_Student

You can't count on those schools. You need to add more schools, one notch lower than those.

Scared4College

I think you have a very good shot at Columbia. Princeton is another ballpark. There has only been one person to whom I've said : You have a good shot. Everybody else, including you? Ehh.

But you have a really good shot at Columbia- especially since you are doing the summer program there! You'll have a good feel for the college.


I actually really want to go to Columbia also!

Savs

The problem with Ivies is that it's very hard to chance for them. The closest I can come is saying that, yes, you definitely have a chance. Yes, definitely apply. BUT also apply to other schools- safeties and matches- just in case.

And about feeling insecure... your GPA is stellar, your SAT scores are awesome (anything >2300 is at the highest level), and your ECs (while maybe not as prestigious as what some have) are very good... you started a student organization, are the editor in chief of your paper, and are on a varsity sport, among other things. I'd say not bad. I know a girl who got into Georgetown this year with much less than that. It's always a gamble, though.

bms2009

Thanks for all the responses!!! So can anyone suggest several backup schools OR any other extracurriculars I can add to my repertoire during senior year? Thanks again!!!

CCer8888

Good chances Make sure your essays highlight your achievements and personality ;D

minamora

Are you talking about the business school? You've got some time to build a pedigree for that one.

I'd waitlist you, but let you in if you had an ethnic kicker.

2moretogo

Have you considered UMCP at a safety? I hear they have an excellent honors program. Do many students from your school go there?

bms2009

Yes but I'm really not interested in staying that close to home. Plus the campus is atrocious!