<p>I’m new to College Confidential, but the discussions that I’ve seen seem to be fairly accurate. Soo… I have chance questions. I am a senior, and I have had a seriously dysfunctional high school career. I currently have a 3.1 unweighted GPA (I know, I know) and a 28 on the ACT, which I plan to retake. My GPA shows an upward trend, but the issue is my freshman and sophomore year. In addition to not understanding the gravity of grades in high school, I also had to deal with a serious case of Scoliosis. I missed a <em>ton</em> of school, and ultimately had to have a Spinal Fusion. I also had to deal with another medical situation around the same time. However, I don’t intend to use these experiences as a crutch. I just want them to be recognized as significant factors during that time. I hope to be able to get my GPA up to a 3.3 by the end of my first semester, but I’m unsure that this change will make any difference. My ECs and Honors are:
HOSA Member for 3 years (Editor of HOSA newsletter for 3 years), Art Club Member for 3 years (secretary for one, maybe two), Spanish Club Member for 1 year, Piano lessons for 9 years, member of my school’s 30 plus club, Venture Scholar, English student of the year for 11th grade, 1st Place levels II and III Piano Recitals, Art featured in school newspaper, school art show, and West TN Regional Art Show, 3rd Place HOSA Regional Conference- Biomedical Debate, 1st Place HOSA State Conference- Chapter Newsletter (I’ve participated at the state level twice, won once), HOSA National Leadership Conference Attendee, Member of 3 choirs at previous church, as well as Junior Steward, Secretary, and Hostess/Hospitality Committee. I am the Primary Sunday School Class teacher at my current church, I won a district essay contest through the A.M.E. Church, I am an A.M.E. Youth Leadership Conference attendee, and I volunteer as a teacher’s aide for my Church district’s Summer School Convention. I have about 50 service hours, and have been invited to the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine twice ( I doubt this actually means anything given my GPA, but it sounds nice and reputable). </p>
<p>What are my chances for Loyola (Chicago), the University of Richmond, Vanderbilt, or Swarthmore. (I would ask for Carnegie Mellon, but I’m not that ambitious anymore) These are all reaches for me, so if there is another school in the South that you can recommend, please do so. </p>
<p>Thanks in Advance (and if you feel the need to call me a slacker, please be kind enough to do it in your head (: )</p>