Chances for 10 schools

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I’ve narrowed the list of colleges to which I am applying to ten schools.

Everything is up until the end of my junior year.

Weighted GPA: 4.29
U/Weighted GPA: 3.97
Class rank: 19 out of ~700, top 3%

AP Classes (passed all tests with either 3 or 4): AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP World History, AP Environmental, AP English Language. Taking AP Physics, AP Calculus, and AP Economics this year.

Test Scores: SAT - 2090 (710 math, 700 critical reading, 680 writing). Retaking in October.
Taking ACT in September. Aiming for 33+.

Extracurriculars: This is probably the weak point of my application. I have a lot of great hobbies but not much clubs/award stuff.
Blogging - I have a sports blog where I write articles and news on the team all year. Have written 500+ articles to date. Involves writing HTML and CSS, which I taught myself as well
Astronomy - Have a telescope, gotten into astrophotography, captured amazing events like eclipses and Venus transit.
SCUBA - Certified advanced open water scuba diver
Animal care and breeding - Have kept and bred various types of fish and reptiles in the past ten years. African Fat tail geckos specifically, built a housing system, learned genetics from breeding them, hatchling care. Daily maintenance
Video/Photo Editing and Production - Very experienced with Photoshop and video editing programs like After Effects, iMovie, etc. Have multiple YouTube channels where I upload stuff I create

Sports:
Varsity hockey captain (ice and roller hockey). Hockey is considered a “club” at my school, but nonetheless I have played in three leagues (two roller, one ice) in each year of high school. Have won multiple championships, scholar athlete award, MVP. Got a varsity letter as well.

Community Service:
Volunteer for organization that teaches autistic kids to play sports.
Volunteer for organization that hosts events for special needs adults.
Tutor.
Right now I only have ~50 hours but I should have around ~80 after this year.

Work:
Certified referee for two sports, for last five years.

List of colleges I am applying to:
Columbia
Stanford
University of Chicago
Johns Hopkins
Vanderbilt
UC Berkley
UC San Diego
UC Irvine
UC Santa Cruz
Stony Brook University

Can you tell me my chances of getting in? I hope to go to one of the schools in the top half especially, but would really be fine with most of them. Other comments welcome as well.

2

The first four are going to fairly significant reaches, your ACT is your weakness for these schools. Vandy has also ramped up the type of scores they are looking for in candidates. Of the remaining, I would not be surprised you get in 3 of 5.

3

You have a very good GPA, but your test scores hold you back for your academics. Get those up and that part of your application will be fine. As for ECs, yours are definitely different and interesting, but you should also get a leadership position in something to show that your a leader. Schools don’t just want scholars, they want scholars that can utilize their intellect to lead people. That being said, I give you these chances.

Columbia- reach
Stanford- high reach
University of Chicago- reach (they do like quirky things so your ECs should help here)
Johns Hopkins- low reach
Vanderbilt- low reach (get that SAT/ACT u
UC Berkley
UC San Diego
UC Irvine
UC Santa Cruz
Stony Brook

Chance me back? Thanks
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1796213-good-test-scores-and-leadership-but-average-gpa-chance-me-for-these-schools-please.html#latest

4

Ok couple things here.

Are you going to play college hockey?
Can you retake and raise that score?

You are in probably everywhere but the first three are slightly holistic admissions that it’s hard to say yes or no even to a perfect applicant. UC Berkley is also that way.

5

Don’t think I will play college hockey. I am retaking the SAT and taking the ACT. I’m counting on getting a better ACT score because I think I’m better suited for that test, but will still take the SAT again just in case.

I’m thinking of removing Johns Hopkins and adding NYU because my list is too top heavy. What are my chances for NYU?

6

Much better chance at NYU than JHU in my opinion. I’d bet you get into NYU but not necessarily JHU. First 5-6 schools on list are crapshoots so getting the test scores up would help a lot (im in the same boat as you there). ECs are interesting which could be good especially at UChicago like someone else mentioned. I’d be surprised if you didn’t get into the bottom four plus NYU. Best of luck!

Edit: Though I don’t know a ton about all the UCs, just that UCB and UCLA are the hardest to get into so maybe someone else should weigh in here.