Chance an 'average' student for some great schools?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Schools:
Pitzer
Occidental
McGill
GWU
Davidson
Colby
Middlebury
Vanderbilt
Emory</p>

<p>(I know they’re all very different schools, but they all appeal to me in very different ways)</p>

<p>Stats:
White Female
Jewish (idk if this would help me anywhere)
Junior, class of 09</p>

<p>GPA: 3.6 w I think? Our school doesn’t calculate GPAs. I’m a B/B+ student taking difficult classes, if that helps.
ACT: 30, will retake in the fall, looking for a 32+
SAT IIs: Taking Lit and US history in two weeks, and not too worried.
Courseload: Will graduate with 6 APs taken, which I’d say is ‘more difficult’ for my school.
AP Scores: Euro - 4, waiting on US and English Language.
Type of School: Private, small, very competitive. </p>

<p>ECs and Awards:
Model UN
Varsity Golf
Drama Club
German (I’ve taken German courses outside of school for about two years, and plan on continuing)
Photography - received 3rd place in a statewide, private school competition - it’s something I’m very passionate about</p>

<p>Other:
Essays: Haven’t written them yet, but writing is my forte, so hopefully they’ll be great!
Teacher Recs: Excellent, both teachers know me very well.
Counsellor Rec: I’m guessing it will be great to excellent, because I know the counsellors quite well (one of the perks of going to a small school!).</p>

<p>I’m very interested in Political Science and International Affairs, and I hope to reflect this interest in my application.</p>

<p>Also, I’m aware that my GPA is definitely on the low side for many of these schools…I’m going to do my best in Senior Fall and hope to up it as much as possible. Other than that, any suggestions to make myself a more competitive candidate?</p>

<p>If you managed to get this far…thanks!</p>

2

<p>i’m going to be a pain and ‘bump’ this i s’pose…</p>

3

<p>Pitzer: Low fit
Occidental: Not sure
McGill: Not sure, barring SAT IIs and retaken ACTs. Apparently, they’re very testing-driven.
GWU: Fit
Davidson: Reach
Colby: High fit
Middlebury: Reach
Vanderbilt: Fit
Emory: Fit</p>

4

<p>I’m not familiar with all of your schools, so I won’t go into all of them, but I’d have to say that Emory and Vanderbilt are both reaches for you. Your grades aren’t spectacular, but they’re not terrible. I’d say that Emory and Vanderbilt could be possibilities, but they’re definitely reaches.</p>

<p>As for improving your app, I’d encourage you to do exactly what you said: focus on improving grades. Upward trends are muy bueno. Your ECs look solid. Best of luck.</p>

5

<p>Thank you both!</p>