<p>I’m a junior at a HADES (prep) school. </p>
<p>My grades have been decent; I have a cumulative A- average. I maintained an A- average (“second honor roll”) in my freshman and sophomore years, but have seen my average grade slip to a B+ this year. I currently have high A’s in AP English and my school’s college-level Middle East History elective. However, I have B’s in first year Greek, third year honors Latin, and AP calculus. I have a B+ from my school’s orchestra and string performance course. My science grades from my freshman and sophomore years were both A’s.</p>
<p>I have not taken any SAT II’s yet – probably a mistake. I just received my PSAT score, which was a 218. I did not prepare for the PSAT, and expect a better SAT score, between 2200 and 2300. I will be taking the English and AB Calculus AP’s this year.</p>
<p>In terms of EC’s, I am a co-head of my school’s Democrats club, nonpartisan political club, and current events club. I will be a co-head mof my school’s Classics club by next year. I also sail (JV – I started as a Freshman) and started theater this year. In addition, I worked at a restaurant during the summer following my Freshman year, and I plan to intern at a think tank this summer. I write poetry, and attended a writers’ conference at Middleburys’ Bread Loaf campus last spring.</p>
<p>My main volunteer experience is with Round Square’s service project in India. Over the month of July, thirty or so students from all over the world and I helped to build a mud-brick construction school in Kashmir. We also taught English and math classes. I plan to volunteer at a soup kitchen over next summer.</p>
<p>Given my profile, what calibre of schools should I be looking at? I’m hoping to go for a polisci major (weirdly, politics is my passion) if that helps. Thanks!</p>
<p>Any other interests? You’re in the running for schools just outside the top 10 liberal arts schools, like Vassar, etc.</p>
<p>Maybe a school in DC or Virginia for polisci?</p>
<p>I’d love that. And I love Vassar!!</p>
<p>Do I really have a decent chance, even with all my B’s?</p>
<p>In terms of other interests, I’m into architecture and design, foreign affairs, philosophy, art (although I’m not a talented artist), music (including composition), cooking, and reading/researching/learning, generally. I also play the ukelele.</p>
<p>Take the SAT and ACT so that you know what your scores will likely be. You can’t project from your PSAT.</p>
<p>Also, talk to your parents about how much they’ll spend. Don’t assume. Find out if they have a budget in mind. I realize that you go to a prep school and that may mean that money is no object, but in some cases, it can be. </p>
<p>With Poly Sci as your major, are you thinking of law school? Who will pay for that? Parents?</p>
<p>My parents are telling me not to worry about money at this point, for either graduate or undergraduate school. I plan to work through college and graduate school.</p>
<p>Law school is one option, but I’m concerned about competition when I’m in the job market. My goal at the moment is to go for a more specialized degree (TBD) and work in foreign relations or domestic policy for a Federal Government agency or an NGO.</p>
<p>Your best judge of what schools are a match or reach is your college counselor. You probably have been assigned one or will be soon. You can’t compare prep school grades with the “average” stats of accepted students on the colleges sites. Instead you should soon have access to data from your school of past applicants from your school and their acceptances based on grades and scores. Often the top 30% of a prep school class gets accepted to Ivies. So it is a different ballgame. However your SAT/ACT scores can be compared so as M2K suggested get ready for those exams. You may find you score higher on one than the other. Just a thought for a major:
[Philosophy</a>, politics, and economics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy,_politics,_and_economics]Philosophy”>Philosophy, politics and economics - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>U Richmond has PPE with Law (undergrad)</p>
<p>University of Michigan has just introduced a PPE program this year as well. Their poli-sci program is top 5 as well.</p>
<p>I realize I can’t rely on CC for 100% precise recommendations. Mostly, I was hoping to see what general “league” I’m in when it comes to college.</p>
<p>That major looks amazing!! I’m very glad you brought up U of Richmond, as I hadn’t been considering it. I’ll look into U of Michigan, as well. </p>
<p>Any other thoughts on good schools for a “B+” student?</p>
<p>I agree with NewEnglandMom. HADES “B+” does not correlate to you being a B+ student to AdComs. I assume you’ll take the SAT and the ACT soon. You should take the SAT subject tests, too.</p>
<p>PPE major can also be found at schools in the Claremont consortium (CMK and Pomona).</p>
<p>I don’t think many schools will be out of your reach. Princeton, Yale would be a long reach, but I think even with a perfect GPA coming out of HADES it is a reach due to competing with so many of your HS classmates. </p>
<p>I’d recommend American U and Dickinson could be a very good low match/safety. Some feel American lacks due to the rankings, but you cannot beat the location for someone with a passion for politics. Dickson is very strong for international study. Richmond was already recommended. </p>
<p>Do you have any criteria? Urban, rural?</p>