<p>Hello, all:
I am new to College Confidential, so forgive me if I break any rules of decorum.
I will be a senior this fall at a large public school in Wisconsin, which I began attending this past year. Previously, I went to a small, private school.
My cumulative GPA is 3.95 with an upward trend. I got a 32 on the ACT (35 English, 30 Math, 36 Reading, 27 Science), an 800 on the SAT II US History test, and a 740 on the SAT II Literature test.
I have taken the following courses: (At the private school I attended, there were no honors/AP classes)
9th Grade:
Religion I, English I, Chemistry, Geometry, Art I, History I (Ancient), Latin II
10th Grade:
Religion II, English II, Biology, Algebra & Trigonometry (Algebra II), Art II, History II (Medieval), Latin III
(During the Summer, I took a college course on National Security at American University)
11 Grade (The school I now attend does not offer Latin)
AP Language & Composition, Pre-Calculus, Painting I, Introduction to Computer Programming, AP European History, Modern US History, Math Physics (Honors), British History Since 1688 (taken at the University of Wisconsin in a dual-enrollment program)
I have received the following honors:
Inducted into the National Honor Society
Gold Medalist in the National Latin Exam in 9th and 10th Grade
High Honor Roll all semesters
I am most worried about my extra-curricular activities, as I don’t seem to have many. I spend most of my time outside of school reading, running, doing chores for my family, etc. I also spend quite a lot of time following politics and current events. The few extra-curriculars I do have are:
I am an assistant in my school’s archives (we are the only high school in the state with an archives), I ran cross-country in 9th and 10th grade, I have done quite a bit of volunteer work, etc. I have recently started a Facebook page to raise awareness about the plight of Alan Gross, a US citizen imprisoned by the Cuban Government.
It sounds cliche, but I really love learning. I am especially passionate about history, and I have been reading non-fiction books on history since I was four. I took the AP US History test in ninth grade- without taking any class on the topic- and got a “4” and I have recently took the AP European History test (as well as the AP Lang. & Comp test). I plan to double-major in History and Political Science.
I am interested in Yale, Brown, UChicago, and UPenn as well as Bowdoin, Grinnell, and Macalester. I could go into why to go to each but I feel I have already given you too much information. Do I have a good chance at any of these? I am especially wondering about Yale, Brown, UChicago, and UPenn. My guidance counselor is not really a help in these matters, as she simply told me to apply to colleges I like and left it at that. Most students at my current school go to one of the UW’s, Marquette, Edgewood, or our local community college.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond to this lengthy post. </p>
<p>Anyone?!!!</p>
<p>You’re a strong candidate for all do these schools. Just make sure you have a very good essay.</p>
<p>what is special about you? if I were an admissions officer I would see that you were smart, and you say you just like to learn, but you don’t really have ec’s that show this</p>
<p>You have to show your history passion more. Since it doesn’t really show in your ECs, it MUST be present in your “Why ____” essay</p>
<p>Thanks to those who responded! Should I apply to Yale Early Action if that is my first choice? </p>
<p>Your odds are pretty good at Bowdoin, Macalester, and Grinnell. The others are tough admits. Brown is just hard for everyone, and your test scores are a little low for the others, especially because you don’t have standout ECs. Be sure you mention in your additional information section of your Common App that your 9-10 school did not offer AP or honors courses.</p>
<p>I would say that your odds are better at Macalester and Grinnell; Bowdoin strikes me as a tougher school. The others are just super-competitive; pay attention to the supplemental questions as well as your essays. I am not sure how much benefit you get from applying to Yale early decision, whereas it might make more of a difference at some of the other schools. </p>
<p>I came from a similar background as you: my school offered only two APs, my guidance counselor was no help, and the majority of kids went to state schools or community college, if they went to college at all (for the record, I will be attending Cornell this year). However, colleges supposedly only judge the number of APs you took based on what your high school offered. As long as you take the most rigorous schedule available to you, you should be okay. Your SAT IIs are good, so I would focus on retaking the ACT to bring up the science score and/or taking the SAT. As for ECs, just try to get leadership roles as those are what stand out. Obviously, Yale, Brown, UChicago, and UPenn are tough schools for anyone to get into, regardless of any circumstances. However, I definitely encourage you to apply to all of them! If Yale is your top choice, then go ahead and apply early action just as long as you have all your tests taken by then. It’s great to aim high (I had four reach schools also) as long as you have 50/50 schools and safeties as well! </p>
<p>Thanks @Ranza123, that was very helpful! Are there any safeties you know of that would be good choices for someone like me who is very interested in Poli Sci and History? </p>
<p>I also just received my AP scores: 5s in both European History and English Language and Composition.</p>
<p>I really don’t know much about colleges in the west. If you are looking to come to the East, there are some good SUNY schools that can act as safeties. One of my friends is studying Poli Sci at SUNY Binghamton, for example.</p>
<p>If you can make it through the upcoming Wisconsin winter (Hehe), these are your chances at those schools:</p>
<p>Yale - Reach
UChicago - Reach
UPenn - Reach
Brown - Reach
Bowdoin - High match
Grinnell - High match
Mac - Match</p>
<p>Key:
Reach - 5-15% chance of admittance
High match: 25-40% chance
Match: 40-60% chance </p>
<p>Yale - Reach (should help if you apply ED- but still a reach)
UChicago - Reach
UPenn - Reach
Brown - Reach
Bowdoin - match
Grinnell - match
Mac - Match</p>
<p>Chance pls: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1666441-what-are-my-chances-to-my-college-list.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1666441-what-are-my-chances-to-my-college-list.html#latest</a></p>
<p>Hello all:
Thank you for your input! I would like your opinions on my chances at the following, which include the ones I originally listed.
Bates College
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Colby College
Columbia University
Cornell University
Grinnell College
Harvard College
Haverford College
Knox College
Macalester College
Northwestern University
Occidental College
Pomona College
Stanford University
Swarthmore College
University of Chicago
Vassar College
Washington University in St. Louis
Yale University</p>