<p>I’m new to this site, but I really LOVE BC, maybe it’s my #1. I’m currently a junior, enrolled as an IB diploma candidate.</p>
<p>GPA: ~3.84 UW (not sure about weighted & this is only freshman & sophomore year)
SAT1: 590 M, 620 CR, 640 W (I messed up as it was my first time taking it, but will take it again along with the ACT & SAT2’s)
My rank is definitely in the top half, but I’m not sure where exactly. I don’t find out for a while, I think. :</p>
<p>My overall average for freshman year was about 96 UW (my school does not allow freshmen to take honors, however I took 3 honors courses). Sophomore year was around a 90 or 92 UW (all honors). So far this year my lowest grade has been an 89 in IB History of the Americas HL. I only have 2 non-IB classes this year: photography & gym.</p>
<p>My ECs include a part time job, held since before junior year. I am a championship Irish dancer (I dedicate around 10 hours per week & have gone through quite a few serious injuries as well…), and I have been dancing since I was 10. I even performed at Carnegie Hall in early 2009 with my dance academy. I attend a top public high school, but it is also considered a VPA magnet school for which I am enrolled in photography. I am an active member on the newspaper, NAHS, SNHS & VP in photo club. I have so far completed 40+ hrs of community service, will have 20 more by the end of this year due to some VPA requirements. In addition to the 60 hrs total, I will have 150 CAS hours thanks to IB.</p>
<p>Sorry if this seems a bit overwhelming… I’m stressed out (yay junior year!) & I know I’m not a top notch applicant for BC so I’d like to improve my chances. I know SATs & ACTs, but I feel as though my ECs are lacking… Most of my activies revolved around arts related things since I am an artist (though not quite dedicated like I am with dance).</p>
<p>Except for your SATs, I think your a fine candidate for BC. Is it a slamdunk? No, but with a strong improvement in your standardized scores, you should be fine. By strong I mean the closer you can get to at least 2000 the better.</p>
<p>As far as your ECs go, I also think you’re in pretty good shape. To me, and this is only my opinion, I think a candidate who shows dedication to one particular activity, while adding a couple others around the edges is far more impressive than the candidate with a telephone book listing of all the ECs in their school. Adding anything new at this point would look like you’re trying to pad your resume. If anything, I’d strive to solidify or expand your leadership positions in your current ECs. Oh, and keep on dancing.</p>
<p>To me the only “hole” may be community service, but I think you have the hours, you just need to do a better job explaining them.</p>
<p>To summarize:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.8+ - Good
SAT: 1810 - Bad
ECs: Championship Dancer with a 7-8 year commitment - Good
ECs: Others balanced with some leadership - Fair to Good
Community Service: Looks OK, need more details - Fair to Good
Part-Time Job: Time Eater but shows responsibility - Good</p>
<p>In short, if your SAT line was 2010, I’d say you’d have a very good chance.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks, that’s a lot of help! I definitely will improve my SATs, but I think I might end up doing better on the ACTs. For leadership, I’m going to start tutoring “at risk” students, which means young kids from low-income families & usually single parents. I’m also going to volunteer at an art camp this summer for two weeks. And I honestly didn’t feel like typing out all my community service, but it’s pretty good, not horrible. </p>