I feel like my resume puts me on the bubble for just about every school I’m applying to. I have a 3.4 UW, 3.7 W, 27 on the ACT (30 R, 30 W, 25 M, 24, SC). If the college superscores, it puts me at a 29. I’m a four year Varsity baseball player, got All-conference honorable mention my junior year, and won the Cy Young both my sophomore and junior years (Ace pitcher for those of you who don’t know baseball). I work in my school’s Tech lab, volunteer 10 hours a week during the year, and paid during the summer. I’m one of only three who can fix Chromebooks (our school’s chosen laptop, everyone has one). I also build computers in my spare time. My college choices are: Boston University, Boulder, Lehigh, Indiana University, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Case Western, and Union College. Some are more reach than others. All of you with experience, am I in the ballpark?
The only school I’m familiar with is Boston University and unfortunately, it is a reach for you.
It’s a little late, but baseball might be your best bet to shoehorn yourself into some of those schools. Have you contacted any college coaches or gone to any showcases? A coach going to bat for you with admissions can make all the difference.
If baseball isn’t in the picture, then Lehigh, Michigan, and Case Western will be tough to get in to. Wisconsin would be a reach, also, but more possible, I think. Union might be doable.
Most of these are reaches. Michigan is out of reach if your out of state. Case Western is also a reach. Wisconsin and Illinois are reaches if out of state. Not as familiar with other schools.
What about the College of General Studies at BU? Would my chances be any better?
I should also mention that my grades have an upward trend. Junior year I had a 3.95 weighted. Freshman year, I tanked in Geometry Honors, and that really affected my GPA. Senior year, I’m taking Calculus, Astrophysics, AP Psych, AP Art History, and Advanced Writing. Last year I took AP English and APush, and I completed four years of French (no AP, though).
I think you have solid chances at IU and Boulder. I think Michigan is a reach particularly because of your UW GPA. Lehigh is also competitive, especially RD. If you apply ED to Lehigh and show demonstrated interest I think you’d have a greater chance.
What state are you from?
Have you run the NPC on all schools on your list and shown the results to your parents?
Which schools do you consider your safeties? If you are “on the bubble for just about every school I’m applying to”, then you are not applying to appropriate safeties.
I consider Indiana and Boulder my safeties. I’m from Illinois, but I know that doesn’t guarantee a spot at U of I.
Michigan, Lehigh, and Case Western are my reaches and I was hoping BU was a target. Union as well.