What are my chances at admissions/scholarships at these schools?
WashU St. Louis
Notre Dame
UNC Chapel Hill
Vanderbilt
Duke
Harvard
(Note: All standardized tests are my first and only attempts, so no super-scoring info provided.)
SAT: 1570
SATII Math: 800
SATII US History: 770
ACT: 35
GPA: 4.6 weighted, 4.0 unweighted
Class rank: Top 1% in a class of 1200 students (our school doesn’t give us our number rank, but based on what the other Top 3 percenters have revealed to me about their GPAS, I’m #5.)
I know extracurriculars and essays play a role in admissions, but I just want to know how my chances look numbers-wise. I can provide some noteworthy achievements and ECs if needed.
I would love to go to any of these schools but I’m not sure how impressive these stats are compared to the typical applicant pool. There’s too many scary stats out there on the web so just give it to me straight. I’m too poor for college and too middle class for financial aid. I’ve been hyped up about my stats and ECs throughout high school but I don’t want to get my hopes up unless I really have a chance at making it to the big leagues. Thanks guys.
Harvard gives need based aid only, no merit aid. It is a reach for most everyone.
Otherwise your stats are in the range.
The first three on your list are a little more likely albeit all those schools are extraordinarily competitive and not a “safety” for anyone.
All these schools are going to be reach schools, for the exception to UNC. The only way to find about scholarships is to go to each school website and look at what’s offered. Elite schools are going to be difficult to get merit aid. Harvard and similar schools will offer more in need-based aid, but that varies widely from school to school, as well as parents income level.
For scholarships, the strategy is to go one level “down.” For Harvard or other elite school, you’re just another smart kid to them. At a state flagship, you stand out, so you would be highly competitive for scholarships, and many would be full-ride. All you have to do is apply to the scholarship in conjunction to doing the college application. I can already tell you that you would automatically qualify for a tuition scholarship at Alabama and TCU.
I’m not sure if you are aware or not, but all the schools on your list have extremely general financial aid. They typically will give you something even if you’re income is upper middle class (around $175k). I would only apply to UNC if you’re in-state, and I’m assuming you are. Just in case, run a net price calculator for each school and see how much aid you get. You may be surprised!