Demographics
- US citizen
- Female
- Public high school
- Southern state
Cost constraints: none
Intended major: neuroscience
Academics
- 3.87 UW/4.6 W
- Retaking SAT (predicted 1500, maybe higher)
- Scored a 4 in AP seminar, AP bio, APUSH, AP statistics
High school coursework
- 4 APs done, 4 planned for senior year (AP micro 1 semester, AP gov 1 semester, AP chem full year, AP AB calc, AP capstone full year)(also finished AP art history but haven’t taken exam yet)
- Dual enrollment senior year for developmental psychology and literature
- Earned AICE diploma w/ merit by taking global perspectives, thinking skills, english language, english literature, psychology 1, psychology 2, european history, general paper)
- School didn’t offer AP until junior year
- Took honors precalculus and got a D, took again online and replaced with B in GPA
Awards
- Biomedical sciences credential
- PVSA gold
- AP scholar (might include)
- AICE diploma w/ merit
- CB rural & small town recognition
- Possible international writing award
Extracurriculars:
- Mentorship with t20 (not ivy) phd/md candidate researcher about dementia (6 hr/w, 12 w/yr)(12)
- Mentorship with same university phd candidate researcher about pancreatic diabetes (6 hr/w, 12 w/yr)(11)
- Volunteering at nonprofit benefitting children with terminal illnesses where I serve about 200-250 people per shift (food service)(5 hr/w, 25 w/yr)(11, 12)
- Volunteering at local hospital in nursing and ICU (5 hr/w, 25 w/yr)(12)
- Internship at medium sized cognitive development center for children with neurological disorders. Worked to improve academics and recognition with 50+ children.
- Co-founder of nonprofit org benefitting children with neurological diseases. Aim to write 300 total cards and 100 care packages. Going to fundraise soon. Already partially met goal. (5 hr/w)(52 w/yr)(11, 12)
- Tutored various levels of middle school math for about 5 students in my neighborhood. Pairing this with providing childcare services for two infants and ~20 young children. (15 hr/w)(52 w/yr)(9, 10)
- Two publications in undergraduate journals on neurodegenerative diseases
Internship was just 11th and mentorships did not include any lab work done by me. Two different people did the mentorships. The one centered around dementia is going to write LOR, should be like an 8/10. Biomed teacher LOR: 6-7/10, English teacher LOR 8-9/10.
Congratulations on your accomplishments!
Your ECs appear to be strong. Your academics, while good, are going to be weaker than many other applicants (this does not diminish your success). I see that you are retaking the SAT with the hopes of making at least a 1500. Have you tried the ACT? What is your current SAT?
This school is a reach for almost everybody. Regular decision rates are in the single digits, while ED2 for the class of 2028 was 15.2%.
As long as you have a nice mix of schools, apply and see what happens!
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Thanks! Do you think it is worth applying early for me? I don’t want to put too much stock into it if it’s a complete reach.
It is “worth it” if it is your top pick above other schools, your family can afford it, and you do not mind completing the essays etc. Just remember that it is a reach- a big one imo.
Make sure to have a nice balance of schools. As for premed- I recommend taking it out of the picture right now as most either change their mind as they discover new interests…or….they do not do well in the classes.
Remember- you can be premed at almost any school…and med school is very expensive. Are you applying to your state schools? It is a good idea to keep costs in mind if applying to medical school…or any type of grad school.
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Not a fan of “likely” SAT.
The most recent CDS (two years ago) shows 61% submitted. Likely higher sans athletes with a 1490 25th percentile. So 25% were equal or below. I’d include if 1460 or 70 or above.
It’s a reach.
But why wouldn’t you apply early ? It’s your best odds.
If it’s your #1, you’ve visited to ensure you don’t just love it on paper and the parents are willing to pay by the time you graduate $400k plus grad school - especially when you have Bright Futures - then take your shot.
Good luck
Thanks for the reply! I predicted it based on recent practice test scores and included it just for more info. I’m trying my hardest to get a SAT score that will help make up for my lower GPA
An SAT won’t necessarily make up for an gpa but a 3.87 UW isn’t necessarily low. Depends what it is in the context of your school.
Two years ago 91% ranked in the top 10% of the class. 40% had a 4.0. I’m going to assume UW. 49% had 3.75-3.99 so your gpa may be fine.
In the end, if it’s #1 on your list, and your parents are willing to sign off , then the worst that happens is they say no.
Who else is on your list ?
I appreciate the insight! Also on my list is UF, UT Austin, Emory, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern. Do you think any of these are a better match? Emory is my second choice but im not sure if its any easier to get into.
I think you need to add safety schools. I cannot comment on UF, but the others are reaches.
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Only you and your parents can decide this. ED Is not a game. You will be somewhere four years, day after day.
If Emory is #2 and you’d totally love it, then use ED2. I’d say it’s easier but not easy. You also have the Oxford option. But yea no doubt some get into Vandy but not Emory.
You don’t have any safeties but I suspect if you get close to 1500, UF becomes likely but never safe. Are you a Senior ? If so, why haven’t you taken the SAT yet ?
Ps - noticed you got a D in pre calc. That will hurt your chances even with the redo. But that’s why you need to expand your list. A W&M / Richmond / Lafayette as a bit easier subs and a U Denver / Elon types as assured.
Last hurdle - the folks. Make sure they are committed to $400k plus grad school. You have strong, low cost options in Florida (if you’re from Florida) and Wilkes Honors College too for small/research focused.
Why ED2? Do you have a different school in mind for ED1?
No, I just want the extra time to fully get feedback on my essays and really not rush my application. Especially because for me, my courseload is kinda heavy this year.
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I am a senior and I have taken the SAT, but I got a 1300 which is really low considering the average for these colleges.
You have plenty of time to get apps ready if you start now. Much easier to do b4 school vs during.
A 1300-1500 is a big stretch.
I added to (edited) my previous note so you might re review - you certainly need a list expanded far beyond what you shared. If the SAT is closer to 1300, the list would need to expand more. But hopefully
What is your home state ?
I live in Florida but haven’t really been interested in any colleges here except UF. I am still looking though and open to options
I think you can narrow in more once you take the SAT.
It seems like you like mid size. And you’re open to other geographies. Worst case you apply TO to your list (not UF).
When will you know your score ?
If you have to adapt down, College of Charleston, is another to look at.
I agree, those are definitely things I have been looking for in schools. I just don’t care about geography too much (have lived in different climates) and just feel like there are more community opportunities in mid sized schools. I am taking the upcoming August exam so I should get my results back by the end of October latest
I’m wondering if AP Calc is right for you. Do they have a regular calc? Have you discussed with your pre calc teacher ?
My school has regular calc but they put pretty much anyone into AP calc. The bulk of students in the rest of my classes have taken or will take this course senior year so I kind of just want to show colleges that I can keep up and recover from pre calc. They do have regular but I decided that I likely won’t end up taking it because of this. One of the major reasons I did so bad on pre calc is because the teacher was awful, offensive, and would just pick at people in my class (including me) for no reason. So, I am not planning on discussing this with him. Thanks for all of the help!