Chances for an Ivy--any hope at all?

kayabertz
Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:29:58 +0000

This is my first post to CC, but I’ve been browsing the forums for a few months now. Frankly, I’m intimidated by the sheer amount of academic talent and extracurriculars it takes to get into an Ivy League university. I come from a high school that hasn’t sent anyone to Harvard since 1989 (that student now holds mythic status among the guidance counselors).

I consider myself a good student, and I know my ECs are great for an in-state college, but I’m afraid I might be deluding myself when it comes to the Ivies. So…do I have ANY chance of getting into an elite university? Or should I save some money and apply somewhere less prestigious?

Student:

User Name: kayabertz
Gender: F
Ethnicity: White
Location: Florida
College Class Year: 2013
High School: Public
High School Type: rarely sends grads to top schools
Will apply for financial aid: Yes

Objective:[ul]
[] GPA - Unweighted: 4.00
[] GPA - Weighted: 4.70
[] Class Rank: 1/450
[] SAT I Math: 650
[] SAT I Critical Reading: 800
[] SAT I Writing: 770
[] SAT II World History: 580
[] SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 650
[] SAT II Chemistry: 580
[] AP: I’m taking US History, Calc AB and MicroEcon.
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (leadership in parenthesis): Model UN, Youth in Government (president), Academic Team (captain), Student Council (VP), Principal’s Advisory Committee (Executive Director–the club name is misleading, we actually organize leadership conferences for high school and middle school students), National Honor Society
[] Honors and Awards: Best Civil Attorney, Best Bill, Runner-Up Outstanding Statesman (Statewide awards from Youth in Gov’t)
Best Delegation (twice) (regional award from Model UN)
Member of county Academic Team
[] Volunteer/Community service: I used to give tours at a local history museum, but I stopped after I had 200 hours in sophomore year.
[] Essays: They’ll be decent…I’m an okay writer, but I plan to have 5-6 people read and critique my drafts so they’re presentable
[] Teacher Recommendations: One will be glowing, the other average (I already know the teachers I’m going to ask)
[] Counselor Rec: Will rave about me (she really wants to send someone to the Ivies again)
[li] Additional Rec: Also very positive (from my Academic Team coach)[/li][/ul]General Comments: Lousy Subject Test scores, I know, but I’ll (hopefully) raise them in May when I retake the SAT II.

If you think I’m a “maybe”, I’d love to hear any ideas you have for improving my chances. If I have no chance at all at the Ivies…well, that’s okay too.