And if so, which one should I apply for? I know I’m probably below-average, and I’ve already gotten accepted into some colleges, but I’m passionate about higher education and would like to try for one anyways. Which one do I have the best chance to get into? I’m hoping to major is Psychology or Neuropsychology.
Thank you!
GPA: 3.83 (unweighted)
ACT: 30 composite
AP classes: AP German Language and Culture, AP Literature, AP Biology
Associate Editor-in-Chief, Opinions Editor, of award-winning student newspaper
Co-Leader and founding member of our HS’s Mock Trial team, that went to State in its second year.
NHS member, book club member, volunteer work via church group, art club member, misc stuff too.
pretty good at writing essays
I’d say you are below the 25% on the ACT score. Your chance of acceptance is 0% if you don’t apply, but based on the following:
GPA: Below average
ACT: Way below average
Course Strength: No AP Calc, hurts (AP Lit, AP Bio, AP German are plus)
Your ECs are average at best
The holistic application process that all the “Top Tiers” use, puts emphasis on your essays and your recommendations as well. I’m not really sure you’d get to those however in the process. If you did, they would have to be exceptionally unique. Not just your ability to write them, but also the story they tell about you is very important.
This is also considering you have “no hooks” (Legacy, URM, Athlete) If you have a hook, that increases your chances.
I often write on these boards: The quoted acceptance rate is the rate of everyone that applies. That is your baseline. Your job in your application is to raise your probability above that baseline. Looking at your stats, you are starting below the baseline (and really to be honest pretty far below that baseline). Your job is to get above that baseline. Take an ACT prep class. Take the SAT prep class. You really need to shoot for 33-34 on the ACT and 1500+ on the SAT to get to baseline.
disclaimer: I’m not an admissions counselor and have never worked in admissions. I’ve just been through this process with two very bright kids of my own in the last 4 years and have seen a lot of posts on CC and talked to many friends of my kids.
If your school has Naviance, that will give you a better idea of your chances than anyone commenting here (but keep in mind, Naviance does not factor in EC’s, which are very important when it comes to elite schools). FWIW, my kid’s high school sends more grads to Cornell then all of the other Ivies combined. Even so, it is still very difficult to get in, with a lot more rejections than acceptances.
Thank you both for your input. My school unfortunately does not have Naviance. My high school is known for being pretty below-average–we send a lot of kids to community colleges.
I forgot to mention that I’m a first generation college student–does that count as a “hook” in any way? Thank you
First generation certainly helps, although I don’t know if it’s a true hook like being a recruited athlete or a so-called development admit. As BrianBoiler noted, you are probably going to need to bring your ACT score up by three or four points to have a legitimate shot. Finally, keep in mind that there are tons of fantastic schools out there besides the Ivies. Good luck.
“I forgot to mention that I’m a first generation college student–does that count as a “hook” in any way? Thank you” I dont knnow what do you think? You are asking about Ivy League schools when you clearly aren’t really academically competitive as an applicant. So maybe…who can tell. For a “below average school” --you have a paper and mock trial team and AP classes so your school has resources.