<p>I’m a senior in high school.
My GPA is a 3.7.</p>
<p>I haven’t taken any AP classes.
I’ve took only one Honor class (Algebra II).
My only EC is being on the varsity swim team.
My other EC’s that are not connected to school is Parkour, Skateboarding/Longboarding.
My ACT score is an 18, but I plan to retake it.</p>
<p>This is not an excuse or anything but I come from a low (very low) income family.
I’ve been homeless ever since I was in the ninth grade. I wasn’t even told at an early age of what’s the real reason of going to school and I just figured it out like in my sophomore year. </p>
<p>But there is one thing that I know I have that I know that no one else have and that’s appreciation for the things I been able to do in my high school years. Not to be rude or anything but some of these people on here have a TON! of EC’s and have like almost/perfect ACT scores, AP scores, and GPA’s. But still be like “it’s not enough”. </p>
<p>When I was young, I wasn’t told to read or sign up for anything or none of that stuff. When I was young I would do the little homework I had then go out and play and have fun but I wish that my parents would’ve been a little bit more strict on me. I wish they would’ve taught me how to read and do math at an early age like 2 or 3. If they did I would’ve probably had a much better chance at getting in.</p>
<p>But I want to read what you have to say and apologies for giving out a little bit too much of information.</p>
<p>Be straight forward with me, don’t worry about the feelings I might have after you told me the truth.</p>
<p>Its awesome that someone who has gone through so much adversity as yourself is able to realize the value of an education. Self motivation is very admirable.</p>
<p>However, I do not agree that you are the only one that appreciates the things you’ve been able to do in life and high school. Plenty of others do not take things for example. I myself survived a genocide and came to the US as a refugee, and I most certainly don’t take things for granted. Many other students do things because they love the things they’re involved in, not just to get into college. </p>
<p>As for your chances:</p>
<p>Stanford: No chance. I would tell you that you shouldn’t bother applying, but then you would have literally no shot. </p>
<p>UMich: Still no chance, but maybe a .1% chance. </p>
<p>The fact is, your ACT is going to kill your chances at any remotely good school. Yes, your situation is unique, but it won’t make up for bad grades (Not saying your grades are bad. They’re good, but not Stanford level) or bad test scores. You really need at the very least, around a 28 to be competitive for UMichigan. You’ll need something in the 30’s for Stanford. </p>
<p>Sorry to be so brutal, but I don’t want to give you false hope :(</p>
<p>Thank you for your honesty.
But because I go to one of the top schools in Michigan.
University of Michigan comes to my school like first to accept students.</p>
<p>i think you have a better chance if you write your essays very very very well, especially focusing on what you’ve had to go through. but honestly with the scores and EC’s, your chances don’t look too great. go to the library and take a lot of practice ACT’s. it should improve your score a lot because that test isn’t too difficult.
have you thought about applying to QuestBridge? It’s a scholarship for specifically for low income students (less than $60000 per year). if you apply and get selected, they give you full scholarship for all four years to top colleges in the nation of your choice. it might improve your chances of getting into those top-notch schools.</p>