Chance Me for Seven Schools?

Blayce
Sat, 12 Oct 2013 23:02:27 +0000

I’m a pretty average student. I’ve had a high school career in which my GPA has been constantly rising rather than at the top or at the bottom of the class so I’m going into the application process confident but not cocky.

I’m a senior at a competitive public high school in metropolitan Chicago (the Northwest Suburbs).

ACT: 26, 27, 29 (current and application material, but I’m taking the October one again)
No SAT (not needed but for one school)

GPA (Weighted on an AP 5.0 scale):
-Freshman:
Weighted (both semesters) 3.333, Unweighted (both semesters) 3.167
-Sophomore:
Weighted (Semester 1) 3.625/(Semester 2) 3.786, Unweighted (Semester 1) 3.500/(Semester 2) 3.714
-Junior:
Weighted (both semesters) 4.413, Unweighted (both semesters) 3.857
-Senior (current, but hopefully getting better–first time taking AP classes)
Weighted 4.285, Unweighted 3.571

-Overall (discluding senior year):
Weighted 3.767, Unweighted 3.561

NOTE ON GPA: Just to clarify, this is my first year taking AP courses and it is also my busiest year in the extra-curricular department. I’m adjusting but the AP grades should be on the rise (my only B’s). Also, I’m not sure how other schools work their grading systems, but my A’s in Gym Freshman and Sophomore years and Dance junior and senior years are no incorporated in the overall grade.

Activities and EC’s:
-Marching Band (section leader this year): 4 Years
-Concert Band (2nd Chair): 1 Year
-Symphonic Band (5th Chair sophomore year, 1st Chair junior year, not yet released for senior year): 3 years
-Choir (President this year, MVP last year, Soloist 3 years running): 3 Years
-All-State Choir: 1 Year (hopefully 2)
-Journalism (Staff Writer sophomore year, Assistant Features Editor junior year, Executive Features Editor senior year): 3 Years
-Drama Club: 3 years
-Theatre Productions:
.Crew sophomore year
.Lead junior year (production 1)
.Crew junior year (production 2)
.Lead/Supporting Lead senior year (production 1)
-Musical Theatre Productions:
.Ensemble freshman year
.Ensemble/Featured Character sophomore year
.Lead/Supporting Lead junior year
-Peer Ministry (leading younger kids in the religious aspects of their lives in 4 hour sessions): 2 years
-Theatre Program in Chicago (not releasing the name): 1 year–this past year

Schools to which I’m applying:
-Northwestern University (top choice): Musical Theatre and Journalism double-major
-New York University: Musical Theatre and Journalism double-major
-University of Michigan: Musical Theatre and Journalism double-major
-Illinois Wesleyan University: Musical Theatre and English Writing double-major (with possible French Studies/Language minor)
-Syracuse University: Musical Theatre and Journalism double-major
-North Central College: Musical Theatre and Journalism double-major (with French Studies minor)
-Columbia College Chicago: Musical Theatre and Journalism co-concentration

I am aware that Northwestern, NYU, and UMich are reaches with my ACT and GPA. Northwestern is the my number one school at the moment and I’m trying to bring up my ACT score if even by one point (ideally I’d love a 30+) so I don’t have to worry about taking the SAT or Subject Tests (that’s the deal I’ve made with my parents–they don’t want me taking any more standardized tests).

What are my chances?

NOTE: Both of my parents are Northwestern Legacy–one in the Arts, one in Engineering.