Chance Me UVA

Hi! I am a high school senior applying to eight schools, including UVA, which is my only true reach school. I am applying as a Media Studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Could someone please chance me?

Admissions Plan: Regular decision because I expect to get straight A’s in my first semester of senior year.

School/Home Background: I am from a generally upper middle class suburb in Ohio (I am a bit concerned about applying as an out of state students as it is more difficult to be admitted). My school is ranked about number 20 in the state and has a reputation for being academically strong.

Class Rank: School doesn’t rank.

Stats:
ACT (Highest scores in each section):
Composite: 33
English: 35
Math: 35
Science: 32
Reading: 32
GPA:
Weighted: 4.282
Unweighted: 3.795
AP Scores:
APUSH- 5, Government- 5, AP Lang- 4, Spanish Language- 4

Senior Schedule:
AP Statistics
AP Environmental Science
AP Psychology
Honors Chamber Choir
Honors Composition
AP Spanish Literature
Modern Journalism

Teacher Recs:
AP Lang Teacher: He sent me his recommendation after he submitted it; it was very complimentary, well-written, and personalized.
AP Gov Teacher: I haven’t read hers, but I expect it will be good. I participated a lot in her class and she liked me. I also have her for mock trial.

Extracurriculars:
Theatre: This was my main extracurricular that takes up most of my time. I have been doing theatre since third grade. I have been in about 15 shows since, both through my school and in community theatre. I also held a leadership position by directing junior high students in five minute scenes in my school’s annual Dinner Theatre.
Young Life: I have been involved all four years of high school.
Mock Trial: I started mock trial senior year and will be competing as a witness on the A team. This also helps me with my acting skills.
School Newspaper: I joined senior year (only didn’t join earlier because you can only be in it if it’s a class and I didn’t have room in my schedule until this year) and have had the opportunity to interview a candidate for US House of Representatives. I also serve as the business manager and sell ads to businesses to pay for our website.
Girl Up: I was a founding member of the club junior year and I serve as the PR officer and run the social media.
Spanish Club/Spanish NHS: I joined Spanish Club freshman year and SNHS junior year.

Work:
I worked at a local amusement park for two summers. I worked at a pizza place as the head hostess for a year. During the summer after my junior year, I held two jobs (pizza place and cafe at a gym).

Community Service:
Nothing terribly notable. Sort clothing for natural disaster aid from time to time and occasional volunteering at a local nursing home.

Oh, and I didn’t take the SAT or any subject tests.

I keep realizing I forgot stuff! I won an Americanism Award from the American Legion for having the highest knowledge in my grade and also my county of all levels of government. I won an Excellence in Music Award at my school. I also received Superior and Excellent ratings at the Ohio Music Education Association’s Solo and Ensemble Choir Competition. Choir was another one of my extracurriculars and I’m not sure how I forgot it. I’ve taken four years of voice lessons, traveled to Indianapolis for a national choir festival, and participated in four years of OMEA Honor Choir (audition only). I was also a counselor at a freshman transition camp for two years.

bump

You aren’t getting replies because it is really hard to chance OOS at UVA. You ACT is in range but they look a lot at academics and your school doesn’t rank. Every school calculates GPA differently. Your GPA at my kids high school would not be that high. A friends daughter has a 4.4 and she is around class rank 60 out of 450. Many students take more AP’s and the top students are around a 4.5 by junior year. So, not knowing how your school calculates GPA, no one can tell how high your grades are. Do most students take more AP’s at your school? Do you have great grades for your school? Do you think that if they ranked you would be in the top 10%? My advice would be to submit a great essay that really lets them know something about you and hope for the best. Good luck.

@momofthree55 Thank you for clearing that up! At my school, 24% of students are enrolled in an AP class. I have taken 8 throughout high school, starting my sophomore year because they are not offered freshman year. I would probably be ranked in or very close to the top 10% of my class. Thank you for your advice!

UVA is a reach for any OOS applicant.

If you are in the top 10% and since your ACT is a good score you are in range to be accepted, of course it is a reach for any OOS. I have seen people with 35 ACT’s not get in but others with 33’s from OOS get in so just continue to keep your grades high for your midyear report and hope for the best. Good luck.