So I am a 16 year old kid from an economically disadvantaged household with parents who recently divorced. I have a 3.956 GPA, I’m ranked in the top 5% of my class (theres a little over 1000 people in my graduating class, I don’t have horrible test scores, but they aren’t below average, I’m a 3 year member of the National Honor Society, a 4 year member of one of the best marching bands in Texas, a 2 year captain of the varsity swimming team, a 10 year member on a USA swimming club team, and a member of a few clubs on campus. I’m also half hispanic and half Native American. I can back up the Native American part. Should I bother applying to some sort of Ivy League school? Would I be wasting my time if I did?
btw I’m planning on attending UT Austin since I have automatic admission there
I don’t think it would be a waste of time. You could have an interesting hook with your heritage (stress your Native American lineage). It’s a reach for everyone, but being a URM, you have an advantage. I mean as long as you can back them up with good test scores (check with the 50th percentile of the school you want to apply with), good grades, and some sort of an interest. Something you dedicate yourself and would be willing to work more in. Start off with outlining your interests and try competitions/clubs in that area. Never too late to start.
It would help if your share your test scores with us and also which schools you are targetting and why. Why do you want “some Ivies?” Is it for prestige? Because they give excellent merit aid? Something else? Have you looked into Questbridge? It can be a great resource for low income kids with excellent stats.