I go to a large public high school with
-800 average sat
-86% economically disadvantaged
-50% English as a second language
My sat score is a 1330 and I’m low Iincome(<15k). I heard that colleges look at you in context of your high school but I’m still worried that it’s too low. I’m ranked 11/650 and have a 4.2 gpa but I’m wondering if my sat will kill it for me even though it’s way above the school avg?
Depends which schools you are shooting for. Also are you a URM?
Depends on what colleges you are aiming for.
The best approach is to build an application list that includes a range of reaches, matches, and safeties/likelies.
You’re fine. You have a good SAT score - well done. I think colleges will be very impressed with your achievements in the context of your school. You rose above the environment. Good for you.
Yes I’m a Muslim Arab girl from Lebanon and Afghanistan
Are you applying through Questbridge?
Questbridge is not an option for an international applicant.
Are you a US citizen or permanent resident? If so, which state are you a resident of? Others can help you better with college selection and admissions if you also mention your high school unweighted GPA and what type of courses you scheduled.
Regarding “URM”, that is typically only considered for US citizens and permanent residents. Also, most colleges do not consider Arab (or central Asian) people to be such.
I’m a US Citizen in Michigan. I was born in New York.
Yes I am
US Citizen
3.9 Unweighted
AP computer science principles
AP Literature
AP physics C:Mechanics (online)
Col Calculus 3(at local community college)
Col Linear Algebra(at local community college)
US gov(grad requirement)
Can you actually show the average SAT for your school in 800? Your school offers plenty of APs for such a low number, are you actually sure? Have you got the school profile in front of you?
I got to an advanced half day program that offers me these AP’s. I’m 100% sure it’s an 800, a school counselor showed me the high school profile. My school is majority refugees and ESL(English as a second language) students. Personally, I was ESL until I tested out of it in elementary school.
My half day program doesn’t have a profile and I can’t mention it on my app because it’s a program that include kids from all the High schools in my district. We have plenty of AP classes but we can’t start taking them till our junior year with the exception of APUSH sophomore year. I have about 7 AP’s (which is a high number for my school). Also, kids usually dual enroll at the local community college so we can’t/don’t take all the AP classes
Do the Michigan public universities look affordable in their net price calculators?
Yes if I get into the University of Michigan I’d automatically get a full ride. My brother also went there so I have a “legacy”. My school also sends about 20 kids to umich every year.
Have you checked the other Michigan public universities’ net price calculators, including those which would be safeties for admission for you?
The reality is then, half your schooling is with other bright kids. You might want to see how that all looks in your transcript (ask for a copy ). You could just as easily be seen in the context of the magnet program. For sure in my kids HS that ran the gamut, this would be contextualized. You can’t have it both ways.
In “additional information”, you would mention that you were selected for a half day enrichment program allowing you to take more advanced classes than is offered at your HS.
Apply through Questbridge*: guaranteed 4-year full rides at the best universities in the country. Your sat score is above their threshold and everything else is exactly what they’re looking for.
The application deadline is coming up so look it up quickly.
In actually halfway through the questbridge application but thank you so much for the advice!