<p>I’m a white boy from rural IL with no special ECs or anything like that. I got a 2090 (680CR, 700M, 710W, and 9 essay). I have a 4.0 uw GPA and will have taken every AP my craptacular public school offers, and maybe a self-studied AP, but I don’t expect great AP test scores, maybe a couple 3s, a couple 4s, and maybe a 5 or two. I will be ranked first in my class. Now I probably will be able to bring up those scores to a 2130 or better. But my question is, with such a mediocre score and no other helping factors, can I still get into the best of the best? Dartmouth or Pton ED, Chicago (possible EA), Rice ID? Georgetown? UVA? O mighty knowledgable CCers, tell me where I am at please!</p>
<p>Oooo I forgot, I’m also hoping to get my SAT II scores all at 700 or better, but that may or may not happen.</p>
<p>Pros: GPA, class rank, rural location
Cons: Test scores, ECs
Unknowns: Quality of recommendations, quality of essays
Add: Extremely low acceptance rates at highly selective colleges</p>
<p>Advice - if you get your test scores up, you will have a chance, but will also depend on the unknowns I have listed. At that point, you will meet the basic criteria for consideration - then it will be up to the admissions committee at each college to decide if you “fit” into the class they are building.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks. Recs and essays should be at least good, if not great.</p>
<p>Put it this way, what do you lose out on by applying? </p>
<p>Also, you don’t need others to tell you where you are at… figure it out for yourself. You will be far more satisfied upon doing so!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. And what do I lose by applying? $60 times X amount of schools and getting my hopes up that I’ll actually get into one.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>