What are my chances at a good college?

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 11:24 AM

I am Valedictorian, 3.9 GPA (the only slip-up was a b in english I (with A's in 2,3,4) and a b in P.E.

I have a 31 on the ACT Plus Writing with a 33 English, 34 Reading,26 Math, and 30 Science.

I haven't had many extracurriculars, but this year I am in FBLA and FFA. I've been in National Honor Society and I've been a Class Officer. I was also nominated for Student of the Year.

I've done some volunteer work, but not near the amount I think I should have. I'm going to try to volunteer more soon if I can, since I only have about 30-40 hours.

I joined the soccer team but my school cancelled it due to budget cuts before we could even have a practice.

My school is pretty small so being ranked 1/44 I know doesn't help my application stand out. I'm from Louisiana also and I don't know if that helps or hurts me.

I'm also taking the hardest classes possible at my school, which doesn't offer either AP or Honors courses. I'm taking two Dual Enrollment Classes, Algebra 3 and English IV D.E and also taking Physics. We don't have Calculus or Pre-Calculus here so I will take that later.

Algebra 3 D.E. counts as Math 100, 101, and 112 in College credit, and English IV D.E. counts as English IV highschool, English 101, 102 College credit.

I'd like to go to a good school, preferably up North. I've applied to Tulane and LSU's Honors College.

If I can't get into a good college like Brown or Georgetown or some other good school like that I will go to Tulane (if I am accepted) and do more extracurriculars and hard classes and then attempt to transfer.

Please someone that knows a lot about college applications and requirements please give me some advice on this.

Also, the reason I would have to go to college to do more extracurriculars is because the only clubs offered at my school are FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, Student Council, and National Honor Society.

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 03:32 PM

up. i know i didn't put it in the proper format but i was freaking out when i first posted this so if someone would have the kindness to actually consider helping out such a poorly written example i would be very happy

I'm thinking about Business/CIS as my major. One of the two.

I also found a list of honors/clubs I've had.

FBLA 12th
FFA 12th
Valedictorian
Louisiana Parish Academic Award 3rd Year
State Literary Rally 9th, 11th (9th I went in Alg 1, 11th in Eng 3)
State Social Studies Fair 9th
Principal's List 9th, 10th, 11th
Honor Roll- 12th (I had a B in College Math)
National Honor Society Member- 10th, 11th
Student Council
Library Club- 9th (club cut due to budget...)
National Junior Honor Society- 9th
Science Award in Physical Science- 9th (they have quit giving out science awards...)
GEE Award- 10th
GEE Mastery and Advanced Award-11th
11th Grade Honor Roll Award
Student of the Year Nominee

During the Thanksgiving and Christmas Breaks I'm going to try to volunteer at a church food drive and at the Salvation Army soup kitchen.

Chance me for
Tulane
Louisiana State University
Brown University
Cornell University
Washington And Lee University
Rice University
Georgetown

And any suggestions you might have.

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 04:58 PM

Also, I'm not sure if this makes any difference, but my school counts a 93.9 or lower as a B, only 94 and above is an A.

I've never made below a 93 in a class.

Match for

Rochester
Amherst
Lehigh
Fordham
NYU

also please.

gkim310 · 11-21-2008, 05:45 PM

Thanks for chancing me!

Noticed that you're applying to Amherst, too!

Anyhow, you have a great GPA and your ACT score is pretty decent. As for your EC's, I noticed that a few were "cut off" b/c of budget problems. If you get your counselor to mention that in her rec, I think that you'll be fine with the majority of these schools. Getting into Brown/Cornell might be a bit more difficult, but you have a good chance at all of these colleges!

Good luck!

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 05:48 PM

Also, are there any colleges that take applications for Fall acceptance around April/January?

I need to take the SAT and the next test date is January 24th.

Will I need to wait and take about 7 months off and then apply for Spring of 2010?

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 05:50 PM

I was thinking of retaking the ACT. I haven't studied for an ACT yet and I really believe that if I looked at the book a bit I could get a 33-34.

Also thanks a lot for chancing me

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 06:30 PM

People say that the essay should be about something you are passionate about. I'm very passionate about MMA and I have an essay I wrote about school "My Defining Moment" and it was when I first saw MMA.

thestever · 11-21-2008, 06:44 PM

I think that aside from Brown and Cornell, because they are so unpredictable, you have a very good shot. My friend got into Tulane this year and her stats were not as good as yours. I think you have a great attitude and that will show in your application.

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 07:26 PM

thank you stever

but would i have a shot at brown as good as other people?

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 08:07 PM

Oh, also this semester I have a 100A in English IV D.E. (which means I have a 100 A+ in English 101 for college credit).

poi · 11-21-2008, 08:48 PM

Some of these are tricky but you have very nice stats. Someone with similar numbers got into W&L from our school. Tulane is supposed to be good with merit money. Best of luck!

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 09:01 PM

Thanks Poi, and thanks for all the help you have given me in PMs. I'd really like to go to University of Rochester or Brown..but I really don't think I would be able to afford it.

I just want to get out of Louisiana basically and go up north.

fromthesouth · 11-21-2008, 10:07 PM

How hard would it be to get into Rice?

fromthesouth · 11-22-2008, 12:19 AM

bump (hate to do this but im wondering why my thread gets so many views but so few replies..ive chanced a ton of people yet only 3 people on this thread which has a ton of info..is it the format because I can remake the thread if that is the reason)..

Xenon2434 · 11-22-2008, 12:29 PM

Hey, thanks for the chance.

I would say that your stats are pretty good. I would try to raise your ACT score a little more. Its definitely not bad, but another few points I think would really do you good.

Other than that, you're EC's are slightly week, but Im reaching to find things wrong here.
If you have good essays/rec's, Id say you have a pretty good shot at all of them except Brown, Cornell, Georgetown- thats not because youre a bad applicant, but rather because they are just so unpredictable.