College Admissions-Seeking advice!

Chance Me / Match Me
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<p>Hello I am new to College confidential! I’m seeking feedback, advice, and opinions.</p>

<p>Background info. I’m a 17 year old male from Florida and interested in applying to the following schools:
UF, Emory, Cornell, NYU, Suny Stony Brook, University of Chicago, FSU, University of Miami, Fordham University, Columbia University, UCLA and possibly a few other colleges. High school class of 2010, and college class of 2014! Yeah!!! :P</p>

<p>Half African American, Half Greek. I don’t know what to identify as. Should I apply as African American, or Bi/Multi-racial? Multiracial is more accurate, however, I don’t have alot of Greek culture. I look Hispanic, and am very American. My first and last names are Greek, and my father was a direct Greek immigrant, however, he divorced my mom and nows live in Greece. I have a step dad now. </p>

<p>I have:
3.7 UW GPA-Took 4 APs so far, will take 6 APs senior year. Taking the most rigorous course load at my school.
Class Rank- 18/ 440. ~ Top 4%
20 ACT…I didn’t study, and I’m not a good test taker.
1500/2400 SAT score…yeah:(
620 U.S History
540 English Lit </p>

<p>Freshmen year- Regular classes. 3.666 GPA(Was homeless). Sophomore year- Honors classes, regular math. 3.75 UW/4.1 Weighted. Junior year: 4 AP classes, 3 honors. 3.7 GPA/ 4.28 weighted. (Increasing GPA trend)
Senior year schedule: AP Statistics, AP Eng Lit, AP Gov, AP Econ, AP Euro Hist, AP Human Geo, Physics Honors, weightlifting.</p>

<p>Significant EC’s
-Key Club 10th grade year. Key Club VP 11th Grade Key. President Elect 12th grade year.
-Student Government Association Activities director- Senior year
-AP Club member 10th grade year
-NHS 11th Grade year. NHS Treasurer Elect 12th grade year.
-Attended NYLF forum on medicine at Emory University summer 08
-Over 150 community service hours and increasing
-Participate in Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Program
-Superintendent diploma of distinction candidate</p>

<p>What do you think are my chances of getting into the schools I mentioned? I realize they are all very competitive. It would be great if I could hear from people very familar with the college admissions process. All advice is appreciated. It would also be awesome to hear from someone attending the schools mentioned at the beginning of my post.</p>

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

<p>Dracos.</p>

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<p>I attended NYLF on medicine too! Great experience, best time of my life :slight_smile: anyways…</p>

<p>UF- mid reach
Emory- don’t know :confused:
Cornell- low reach
NYU- reach
Suny Stony Brook- match
University of Chicago- don’t know :confused:
FSU- safety</p>

<p>chance a fellow nylfer back? haha <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/743085-new-info-school-list-rising-senior-please-chance-me.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/743085-new-info-school-list-rising-senior-please-chance-me.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Yay for biracialism! I’d go for African-American if I were you. But, then again, what do you feel lol?
You were HOMELESS? Congrats on making it through and maintaining a good GPA through it all!</p>

<p>Your SAT/ACT is really low for some of those schools though :(. Can you retake? I really would recommend it. And your subject tests could be higher. I’ll speak to the ones I know most about:
Cornell - very high reach
NYU - high reach
University of Chi-Town - high reach</p>

<p>It’s the test scores man. Not anywhere near middle 50%. Get the ACT closer to 25-30 and then better chances @ at least those 3 schools. Your EC’s look alright. What’d you get on the AP’s?</p>

<p>Chance back if you’d like: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/741629-chance-improvements-2011-urm.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/741629-chance-improvements-2011-urm.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks buddy. And will do! :)</p>

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<p>Jay your right. I just suck at standardized tests. My AP Scores were 2, 2, 3, 3. :(</p>

<p>I plan on retaking the SAT and ACT during the next test dates, and studying for them.</p>

<p>Thanks, and yes I lived in the homeless shelter freshmen year. It was tough…but I just kept on focusing on school. </p>

<p>Oh, and as far as ethnicity. I don’t know, or care. I’m leaning towards applying as African American because I can’t speak a word of Greek. But then again what will admissions think when they see me applying with a Greek first and last name? </p>

<p>Again, thanks for posting.:)</p>

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<p>UF, reach
Emory, reach
Cornell, reach
NYU, reach
Suny Stony Brook, in
University of Chicago, reach
FSU, in
University of Miami, in
Fordham University, dunno
Columbia University, reach
UCLA reach
try to raise sat/act scores and consider retaking sat 2’s or taking sat subject tests u havent taken yet
can u chance me back plz? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/739962-plz-chance-overachiever-rice-u-maryland-duke-caltech-5-ucs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/739962-plz-chance-overachiever-rice-u-maryland-duke-caltech-5-ucs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thank you 92jjxx, I will check out your thread as well. :)</p>

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<p>Oh I also am considering applying early decision to Cornell. This is my #1 school I’d want to go to if I could get in.</p>

<p>Does everyone think this is a good deal? Thoughts?</p>

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<p>ED could only help with Cornell.
Note on the AP’s: I’d say only send the three’s unless you’ve sent them all already.
Pull the scores up and Cornell is def a possibility. Maybe it’d be better to focus on either the SAT or ACT and just prep like hell for it. </p>

<p>Thanks for the comment on my thread btw lol.</p>

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<p>As time passes I’m only considering ED even more. </p>

<p>But I definitely will try to bring the scores up the max I can. Is it better that I don’t report any AP scores to them? Those 2’s on my AP exams aren’t very impressive I’d imagine. </p>

<p>Cornell is my dream school so I will try my best to get in, although it isn’t the only school I’d be happy at. </p>

<p>Oh, and no problem. :)</p>

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<p>Bump back to pg1! :)</p>

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<p>Bring up my post! All advice appreciated!</p>

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<p>Bump! Anyone out there? :)</p>

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<p>I’m loving these forums so far! :D</p>

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<p>DUDE I LOVE YOU, ME AND YOU = NEW BEST FRIENDS. LOL. No seriously though, I have the SAME stats as you as far as SAT/ACT and Academics go. I have a 1480 SAT and 20 ACT. Now to get serious and on a real note, here is what I recommend.</p>

<p>As I have said, I am in the same boat as you as far as SAT/ACT goes. Your GPA seems solid which is perfect. What’s holding me back, and what’s going to hold you back are your SAT/ACT scores. Like mine, there too low, even though we’re underrepresented minorities. I advise (I’m doing this myslef) to take the SAT in october and try to hit 600+ for each section, if you still don’t get anywhere, I would try one last time in December. Besides your scores, everything else is solid. Also are you low income? Because if you’re not, your going to have a hard time at the schools you’re applying to in NY. I’m applying HEOP to Columbia, Fordham and NYU Stern becuase I’m low income and qualify for HEOP.</p>

<p>Honestly this is my opinion at your chances:</p>

<p>UF, Reach
Emory, Big Reach/Rejection
Cornell, Low Reach - Medium Reach
NYU, Reach
Suny Stony Brook, In
University of Chicago, Reach
FSU, in
University of Miami, in
Fordham University, In/Low Reach
Columbia University, Big Reach/Rejection
UCLA Reach</p>

<p>I would come up with atleast 5 more safety schools just in case SAT’s dont go your way. You need to study your tail off to do better for the upcoming SAT’s.</p>

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<p>Beat- Thanks for the thoughts. I will be studying, and aiming for a much higher SAT/ACT score this Oct! I also plan on applying to Cornell early decision. :)</p>

<p>Harvard- I agree, and understand my scores suck! I’m aiming for much higher scores next test session.</p>

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<p>What do you mean by you’re not a good test taker.</p>

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<p>^^I do well on tests at my school, just not standardized tests. That’s why I’m not a good test taker. When I am presented the material I can do well on the test. If I’m not presented the material…there isn’t too much I can do on the standardized tests. (AP Exams for example)</p>

<p>I don’t do well on standardized tests. It’s simply because I don’t know the material. Not at my own negligence though. I got a 3 on the APUSH exam, and our class only covered half the material for the course. Our school doesn’t really prepare us for the SAT/ACT/AP Exams. It’s only interested in getting kids to graduate and attend community college, or at the most at a state school. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s the primary reason. I do my best with what I have. </p>

<p>It’s also important to note that I can’t afford to buy those fancy review books that many people use to study for exams on here. I am on a very fixed income, and live on a farm. </p>

<p>Perhaps, these external influences affect my test taking skills. I won’t solely claim, or attribute it to them though. My school was excited when I got 3s on my AP exams, and I’m considered one of “the best test takers” at my school. College confidential’s standards, however, completely undermine my achievements. This just goes to show how much environment can affect these things. I’m really doing the best I can. Unfortunately, my best isn’t considered “good” to most of the reach schools I’m aiming for.</p>

<p>I have saved enough money to afford an SAT review book, and I purchased it a week ago. I’m already studying for the October test session! :D</p>