<p>Ok so here i am in my juinor year…trying hard. I had a horrible 9th grade year,(don’t ask) but each year have progressively improved. This year I am taking 3 IB courses and am earning a solid B in each, across the board my average is a 83. I know nothing compared to a lot of the ivy league quality scholars out there but good for me. I did get a D on my math first quarter this year but have turned it around and am earning a B. Thankfully a lot of schools do not consider 9th grade grades. The schools I am really interested in so far in order of how I like them are:</p>
<p>U OF MIAMI
BU
U OF MICHIGAN
INDIANA BLOOMINGTON
U OF VERMONT</p>
<p>I know Miami is a reach, but you never know. Now that I am finally growing up and realizing the importance of this year and getting into a school I can be proud of do you have any suggestions about other things I can do to enhance my record/chances? I have a nice number of ec’s am very active in community service and sports. Nothing honestly that really stands out though. I know you are all experts out there so I really appreciate any input you have into my situation. I have a sister who is transferring to BC and a brother who graduated from an Ivy League school, I was the “social one” who didn’t take studying as seriously as I should, the schools they went to weren’t for me but at the same time I do want a good school. I want a bigger school which has a large student body, my parents refuse to pay for a California school as that was my first choice. I did about 1600 on my PSAT and am hoping for a 1800-1900, as my goal and am working hard for that. Any other schools you can suggest? Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>UMiami = reach
BU=reach
UMich=reach
Indiana=match/slight reach
uvermont=match</p>
<p>Jim are the reaches real major reaches or slight? What part of my record makes these a reach? Just curious. Thank you!</p>
<p>Kelly—take a look at the websites for these colleges (or at USNWR book/site) to see the ranges of SAT scores and % of kids in upper 25/50% of class…I think Jim is probably right, and that a 1700-1900 SAT with mediocre grades aren’t going to easily open doors for you. I’m not saying you don’t have a chance—but that’s why they are legitimately “reach”. (no one said “impossible”). You’ll probably want to target a safety school with a much more generous accept rate. Don’t get wrapped up in the whirlwind of prestige colleges that most people on cc focus on. The majority of college students are not typical to the ones who post here, and you can get a great education, and be successful in life with hard work and good grades at almost any good state school. Where do you live?</p>
<p>hi no i am not obsessed as many are with getting into a “namebrand” school, my advisor said with the exception of Bu and Miami she thought I stand a good shot at the others. I know its a crapshoot, I have seen and heard of situations that blew my mind on both ends, so I figure there is nothing to lose by trying. Aside from improving my grades, what else could really enhance my record? Any tips? Ido not come from a family of average students, my parents are both major intellects who have busy careers and I have four siblings all of whom went to top schools, so they aren’t the best "sounding board’ if you know what i mean, it seems like we always end up fighting because we are just so different so I figured an objective opinion would be great and refreshing. Thank you!</p>
<p>yeah they kind of are a high reach kind of because those schools are demanding higher gpas and sats. the average sat to those 3 are at least 2200 to have a GOOD chance of getting in, and probably a GPA of like 3.8+ unweighted. Umich is a hard school dont underestimate that school. BU even though is “lower” than BC it is a very picky school with their students and they choose the best with UMiami also. alot of schools have been becoming difficult to go to now if you haven’t notice. look at northeastern it used to be like around the 1000’s range(out of 1600)for sats like 3-4 years ago. now its like 1200s maybe.</p>
<p>Kelly, you can capitalize on your ‘social’ skills w/ your extra-curriculars…any leadership positions now (or possibly for senior year)? Think really hard about your summer-time plans…community service, or working on some tangible project that you feel passionately about and can make a difference? D#2 (sophomore) won’t have the GPA or class rank that D#1 (senior) has; I know the college search experience will be an entirely different animal, but I think D#2 will probably have a wider variety of experiences from which to write college essays, etc. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>yeah astrophysicsmom is right. for example im going to major in hotel management at college so this summer I plan on getting an intern at a hotel. find something to do this summer that is related to your major if you can. or just do volunteer work at a hospital or anything like Habitat for Humanity.</p>
<p>well i do have a business internship lined up for a big retailer to work in their corporate offices in France, through a family relative which I think is pretty cool and then for 3 weeks I am going to a University program where I will take classes. At the very end of summer, I will continue with the tutoring I do for kids at a boys club, mostly inner city type kids. Anything else besides what really counts, buckling down and doing the work:)</p>