College Matching

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Hey, I was wondering if any of you guys could match me with colleges that are within my reach. I am interested in pre-med and am looking into a medium to large school. Thanks!!</p>

<p>Stats:
SAT I: 760M / 690CR/ 710W (2160) From 2 testings. Math and Writing are the highest in my school’s history (which probably doesnt matter).</p>

<p>SAT IIs: 740, 740, 740 (Math 2, Chem, US History)</p>

<p>ACT: N/A </p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 UW (hardest courseload offered), 4.2ish weighted</p>

<p>Rank: 1 of 650, possibly down to #2 due to unweighted band class</p>

<p>APs: (3 / 4 / 5 / 5) Euro, Bio, US History, Chemistry (AP Scholar with Honor)</p>

<p>College: Harvard SSP distance education and Spanish at local community college (A’s in both so far)</p>

<p>EC’s:
Professional snare drumming with traveling choir (weekends Oct-Dec)</p>

<p>2-year veteran and co-section leader of state champion (2006) percussion ensemble. I was a featured soloist. (about 15 hrs prac/week Oct-Apr)</p>

<p>Alternate / Co- section leader for nationally known Drum and Bugle Corps, 2005 (through the internationally renowned circuit, Drum Corps International)</p>

<p>University of Michigan Hockey Band: 2003, 2004, 2005</p>

<p>Destination Imagination, 2nd place regionals, 2nd place States, 8th place Globals (of a few hundred) in 2004</p>

<p>JV and V quiz bowl (captain for JV). 9.5 hrs/ week</p>

<p>Volunteer at hospital, 3hrs/ week (just started Dec 2005)</p>

<p>HS drumline section leader (3 years of leadership)</p>

<p>Spent frosh-soph summer trimming trees (not for long, though, just a few weeks)</p>

<p>NHS</p>

<p>Student Council member (a joke at my school)</p>

<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: MI
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: M </p>

<p>Possible Hooks:
First Generation College
State Champion Snare Drummer</p>

<p>I’m already considering U of M (instate) and possibly Duke (is this a stretch?). Any other ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Duke is certainly not a stretch, overall your stats look very good in my opinion, and Duke for you is a slight reach.</p>

3

<p>Cornell University has the best marching band in the Ivies. They have a good pre-med advising system. Excellent biology, if that will be your major.</p>

4

<p>I think that admissions officers would be interested to know that your SAT math and writing scores are the highest in your school’s history. If your GC recommendation said that, or if you could fit that into an interview or somplace on the application, it would be great. It shows that you took full advantage of the opportunities at your school, and pushed the boundaries. I agree that Duke and Cornell are possibles for you.</p>

5

<p>Awesome, thanks for all the advice. I was skeptical about school record SAT scores having an effect since it’s suppose to be a “reasoning test,” but I’ll definitely ask my GC if he could include that in his recommendation, thanks OneMom.</p>

<p>Along the same lines, do you guys think i should explain (through the GC rec or the interview) that the avg AP Euro score for my school the year I took it was like 1.7 (and a lot of kids didnt even bother taking it)? I’m not trying to bash my school or try to scrounge every way to “boost my chances,” sorry if it sounds that way, I just want to know if this info would help them understand the context of my seemingly low “3.”</p>

<p>Any other ideas? Thanks again guys!</p>

6

<p>it doesn’t matter whether the SATs are the highest in your school. SAT scores, unlike GPA, are used to compare you objectively with people from other schools. that’s why it’s called a standardized test.</p>

7

<p>jimbob: I thought that would be the case, but its possible that SAT scores could also reflect the tutoring / classes available for SAT prep. Well, if nothing else, it can’t hurt to mention it. </p>

<p>Do you guys think Penn would be out of reach? From what I’ve seen they have a very strong pre-med program.</p>

8

<p>I hate to do this, but… bump</p>

9

<p>I think you could pretty much be competitve anywhere with good essays, you have very good credentials.</p>

10

<p>Thanks C-Revs, but arent my SATs a little low for a lot of schools? I’m middle class and white, and being first generation probably doesnt forgive low scores as much as other factors do (like low income, URM, etc).</p>

11

<p>Your scores aren’t really that low, they are pretty good. Sure the CR isn’t above 700, but you have an incredibly solid gpa and rank, and seem to be a very talented musician which makes you stand out even more. I am not saying that you will get in everywhere, but that you definately have a shot anywhere.</p>