So, I am a current 10th grader with a 3.8 gpa, all through out 9th grade I had a 3.8 - 3.9, I am currently in a college prep program, national honors society, gardening club, optimist club,( was apart of this school program called Reaching Higher if that matters) and may be a part of the school newspaper next year, I had a 22 on PLAN and currently have a scholarship for 4 years to a local college but I kinda want bigger. I’m worried because I don’t have a lot of volunteer hours and kinda antisocial- it’d be my dream to get into Harvard or Yale- am I on the right track? Is there things I’m not doing? Are there things I should focus on…don’t know if this matters but I was in foster care for a while and am african american will that give me some sort of advantage when applying to certain places? I know Michigan has foster care scholarships
You probably won’t get in. No matter how high your SATs or your grades are, chances at any elite school are slim to none. Do what you like, not what you think will get you into an Ivy.
Unfortunately the acceptance numbers were really low this year. When valedictorians with tons of ECs, sports, etc get rejected and in some cases wait listed, don’t have your heart set on any Ivy. So many high stat kids denied with 5-7% acceptance rates. I’d continue to do well and challenge yourself but also get excited about some other schools. Your college choice should not be a dream but only a means to get to your dream. There will be many different paths.
I’d say you could have a chance if you work really hard for it (sounds cliche but it’s true.) Study hard for the PSAT and SAT, be really passionate about something, and show them how unique you are! You could get lucky~ it’s happened before. And remember to keep your GPA up, challenge yourself, and find leadership opportunities. Good luck.
Someone on another thread said there are 37,000 valedictorians in the US every year. The competition for the Ivies is brutal. Even a strong liberal arts college like Middlebury had 8,894 applications for just 690 freshmen slots. So seriously educate yourself about admission rates at each college you intend to apply to. Choose your ED wisely. Try to fall in love with at least one school that has an admit rate of, say, 35% or more. And then write incredible essays.