I’m a senior from a large public school in Texas. Here are my stats:
GPA Weighted: 4.12
Unweighted: 3.58
ACT: 35, Essay: 11
National Merit Semifinalist
14 AP Classes across High School
EC’s:
Speech and Debate Team Captain Senior Year, Event Captain Junior and Sophomore Year
3 time National Qualifier for Debate
Numerous Local Victories
4th - 8th at prestigious national circuit tournaments (harvard, glenbrooks, emory, etc.)
Manages City Chair for Largest Student Run Political Action Committee in Nation
India Trips to Help out Underprivileged Students to Better Education (CSR)
MUN Awards
HOSA State 2x (Hopefully Nationals this year)
I’m only truly worried about my GPA and all, as I know that’s the biggest pitfall for my application. I just had my Dartmouth ED interview, and it went really well in my opinion. Here are the schools I’m applying to:
I’m applying for business/polysci for most of these colleges. Dartmouth, Harvard, Northwestern are all really high reaches, but my biggest worry is UT. My rank is about 19%, which is a pretty big problem for a public school like UT. What are my chances to get in to UT and the rest of these schools? Anything appreciated.
You have been admitted to two great schools, one of which has given you a full ride!
I like your chances at NYU and Tulane plus I think UT is a better than 50/50 shot.
Do finances matter at all? If so, don’t be so dismissive of the full ride to UTD.
It would seem to me that you have UTD because you need money, right? I think that they will all be reaches if you need FA or merit. Admissions to schools that you can’t pay for is the same as a no.
What is your rank? Can you afford TAMU?
Ok, so since your parents have $280k on hand to pay for college and don’t care about the financial side then just wait and see what happens on the apps. You are in at that safeties and as long as you are somewhat happy with one of those, anything else is gravy.
Your full pay status will help at several of your schools that are not need blind. Make sure you have that situation clear in your head. Finances are not TOO big of an issue is not the same as full freight at Emory, NYU ((non Stern), USC, Tulane! (assuming your GPA takes you out of the running for merit consideration).
If you got into UT that would be your top choice? And you would pick Dartmouth over NYU as you picked that for ED?
If I don’t get into the top private universities/Ivies like Harvard, Dartmouth, Northwester, or USC, I’d probably prefer UT over everything else. USC will give me half tuition off for national merit which can lighten the load, but I’d assume it’s improbable I get in. I’m just unsure of my chances for a school like UT, especially for business.