I'm just average!

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Hey CC,
As I complete the common app and start on supplements, I’m wondering if I should add another thing to my list: retaking the SAT and ACT. I have 1970; 29. I want to go to UND, Rose Hulman, Case Western, Valpo, IUPUI, Butler, Saint Mary’s, University of the Sciences, Lawrence Technological, Creighton, UChicago, Cornell, and John’s Hopkins. The last three are reaches. Cornell is the reach I’m actually really interested in. </p>

<p>I do around 10.5 hours of service in my local hospital’s ER and ICU during the summer. I led a Medical University for Teens which took up 50 hours in one week. I play varsity soccer for a top 20 school. Within my 3 years (going on 4), We have gone to semi-state, state, and regionals. I was voted Most Improved junior year. </p>

<p>Continuing with soccer, I was involved in the Olympic Development Program for 2 years. Was a part of the Indiana State Team. I was also a part of 2 travel teams that were in the MRL league (midwest region league). </p>

<p>I’m involved in Student Ambassadors, Art Club, German Club, NHS, and Science Club. </p>

<p>I have been in the South Bend Youth Symphony/Concert Orchestras. I was 4th chair for the 1st violins one year. I have also been playing for weekend masses at my Church for the past (going on) 5 years. </p>

<p>again…
SAT: 1970
ACT: 29
GPA: 4.1/3.7
Rank: 21/227 (Some students have left though)</p>

<p>Senior Schedule
Advanced Health (learning about medical professions)
AP Calc BC
AP Biology
Vocations (theology classes required)
English: Beowulf to Shakespeare
AP Macro
Physics Honors (prepares you for the AP Physics AB test)</p>

<p>(next semester)
AP Gov instead of AP Macro
Broadcasting instead of Advanced Health
Church History instead of Vocations</p>

<p>I feel like I’m just average. How can colleges see me as unique? My common app essay sheds some light… but still.</p>

2

<p>Why apply to reaches that you’re not particularly interested in? Cornell, Chicago, and Hopkins are all big reaches for you. A miraculous jump in test scores could make them more plausible, but they are still reaches. You are competitive at all the other colleges you listed, and might get some nice scholarships out of some.</p>

3

<p>I agree Cornell, UChicago and JHU are going to be tough to get in unless you are a top soccer player, or are URM.</p>

<p>Study hard and focus on either the SAT or ACT (not both). Try to get your scores up</p>

4

<p>@bozllie It saddens me that excellent students such as yourself see themselves as “average.” Your GPA and SAT/ACT are not average but in the top 7-8%. You might want to re-evaluate your search criteria to select the schools you want to apply based upon your intended college major and school preferences? You will definitely need to apply to at least 2 safety schools that you are assured of getting in and that will provide you with great merit scholarships to fall back on if your “dream” schools don’t find room for you. You should also look outside the box in searching for schools. There are great schools out there that will put you on a pedestal and treat you like you are wanted instead of just another applicant. Seek out these schools, visit and then make an informed decisions about where you want to go. </p>

<p>BTW there are colleges out there that have special programs for students will all kinds of interests so don’t let the USNEWS Reports rankings turn you off from these schools. There are schools that have Honors Colleges, whose students are high achievers with similar stats as many top rated schools. You are an excellent student and you should be looking for schools with that in mind. If you don’t get into an “elite” school, it won’t be the end of the world. You should go where the “fit” is right and you feel wanted.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you!</p>

5

<p>I find these “I’m average” threads interesting. "Average is 3.0 GPA with 1500 on the SAT. 1970 with a 3.7 is nowhere near average. In fact, it’s in the top 10% of students.</p>

6

<p>@woogzmama sorry, i may have just said it badly… (as well as that too). im interested but not to the point of OMG I WANT TO GO THERE ITS SO AMAZING AND BEAUTIFUL I CANT HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY OMG. It’s like “the campus was nice, my family enjoyed their stays there, and it seems like the school for me… so ill apply”</p>

7

<p>@sgopal2 The SAT took 2 tries… So should I work for the ACT? My SAT originally was 1790. And my soccer good but I haven’t been recognized by more than one school.</p>

8

<p>@anniebeats yeah. I’m aware of that. I guess it’s just the group of friends I have. I’m literally one of the “dumbest” ones so it’s sort of a downer. But in terms of the schools I want, I think I’m average in their eyes. And sadly, those are the only eyes that matter.</p>

9

<p>Frankly, I think you’re doing a fantastic job. Your extracurriculars are very nice, and your GPA and test scores, while perhaps a tad lower than you may want them, are quite good as well. It looks like your schedule is relatively challenging and if you write an exceptional essay, I think you will do fine. While you might not get into Cornell as an undergraduate (because even the best students are turned away), if you work hard (I’m assuming you are going to go into graduate school), you may be able to apply there for graduate school. But really, you aren’t average at all. From my perspective, you are bright, interested in volunteering and extracurriculars, and a good fit for any of the schools on your list. Good luck! :)</p>

10

<p>Do you think you could be recruited for soccer? Because if so, I don’t think your reaches will be as high. If you are that good, they should take you even with those scores</p>

11

<p>If you have to choose between SAT prep and ACT prep, then go for ACT. Easier to improve scores on ACT. Since you are not a standout soccer recruit, suggest you focus on getting your scores up. GOOD luck. Don’t give up</p>

12

<p>@ellasci4 Thank you so much! I’m hoping to get into medical school… so I guess the undergraduate school isn’t terrrriiiibblyyy important. It’s just the pressure of getting into a selective school. I’m very numbers driven for the most part. But thank you for noticing my extracurriculars. I am hoping to write a very very good common app and supplement essays :slight_smile: </p>

13

<p>@lforalaska I’ve talked to a couple of coaches and they are interested… but I don’t know really… And yeah. I just realized that. My friend who has lower everything than me (not meant to be an insult idk) and less extracurriculars is committing to Harvard. </p>

14

<p>@sgopal2 Thank you! I will start up my studying again :)</p>

15

<p>UChicago: High reach
Cornell: High reach
JHU: Reach
Case Western: High match
IUPUI: Safety
Valparaiso: Safety
USP: Safety
UND (if you mean North Dakota): Safety
Notre Dame: High reach
Saint Mary’s (regardless of whether it’s the one in Nova Scotia, Minnesota, Maryland or Indiana): Safety
Lawrence Tech: Safety
Creighton: Safety
Butler: Safety
Rose-Hulman: Reach</p>

<p>Some of these schools actually are for average students (IUPUI, Valparaiso, UND)… now to narrow down on safeties.</p>

16

<p>@catria Do you think I should drop Lawrence Tech? I actually have been talking to the Rose Hulman soccer coach and she says I can get in. and I would be able to play there. So in my specific case, I would call it a safety/match. And ik for sure that I would choose Rose Hulman over Lawrence Tech any day. Thank you so much for your input by the way!</p>

17

<p>OK, now you can drop Lawrence Tech.</p>