<p>***"I took the ACT as a freshman (May 2011) and scored a 28 with no preparation. I am prepping now and will be taking it again in 2 months. I am taking the PSAT next week.</p>
<p>I took health and gym at nightschool to free room in my schedule for more AP classes in 11th grade. I am graduating one year early because my parents are moving at the end of my junior year (they really have no choice; my father’s job depends on it). I am taking some courses online too, since they will not all fit into my schedule.</p>
<p>What should I do to increase my chances? What are colleges looking for? I am a very hard worker and will stop at nothing to achieve my goals.</p>
<p>Thanks for reading."***</p>
<p>With an improved ACT, you will be in the possible range for all the very selective schools. But the only ones who can give you a realistic assessment of your chances are the members of the admissions committees at those schools, and then only when they have your complete application package in front of them.</p>
<p>In other words: nobody on CC or anywhere else on the Internet.</p>
<p>This message is MIT-specific, but the principle applies to all selective colleges:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/10581800-post1.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/10581800-post1.html</a></p>
<p>Make sure your college list includes some safeties - schools where your stats are well above the norm, that you can pay for under most pessimistic FA assumptions, and where you’d be happy.</p>