Low gpa, High/Moderate everything else

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>I’ve been freaking out over college for the last few months, so I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>

<p>Gender: M
College Class Year: 2012
High School: Public
High School Type: sends many grads to top schools, ranked top 15 in the nation
Will apply for financial aid: Yes</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>10 AP Classes
13 Honors Classes
GPA - Unweighted: 3.10
GPA - Weighted: 3.5-3.65 (ish)
Class Size: 230
Rank: My school doesn’t.</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>ACT: 32
SAT II Literature: 690
SAT II Math Level 2 (IIC): 800
SAT II Chemistry: 700</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Significant Extracurriculars: Speech and Debate, Latin Club, Progressive Club, Senior Prom, Class
Leadership positions: Debate Captain, Latin Club President, Progressive Club President, Class Treasurer, Senior Prom Director
Volunteer/Service Work: 85 hours at local library running a program that teaches kids to read
Honors and Awards: National Merit Commended Scholar, Distinguished AP Scholar, Most School Spirited</p>

<p>Extras: -I took Pre-Calc (Independent Study) at BYU over the summer to jump to AP Calc BC (and got a 5 on the AP), I have 6 math credits, plus test scores, and I’m taking MV/DE currently. MAth is my strong point.</p>

<p>-I’ve had a job for two years working about 18 hours per week.
-I have extensive musical talent (guitar for 4 years)</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:</p>

<p>College: Brandeis University
College: Cornell University
College: Johns Hopkins University
College: New York University
College: Northeastern University
College: University of Central Florida
College: Yale University
College: University of Florida
College: Florida State University</p>

2

<p>Yale is probably out of the question.</p>

<p>You have an extremely rigorous courseload, which is great, but your GPA could be a little better, but its forgivable given your classes and school.</p>

<p>Cornell is a reach, and Hopkins is a high match. NYU is also a match. Good luck.</p>

<p>BTW, I would by no stretch of the imagination call 4 years of guitar “extensive musical talent.”</p>

3

<p>I agree: You’re not in good standing with Yale. </p>

<p>I think Hopkins and Cornell are reaches, Northeastern is a match. Florida State and University of Florida, I’m assuming, are your safeties (They’re definitely not anywhere near as good as the Ivies.) And Brandeis is a low to mid reach. </p>

<p>I disagree with sinistercharity though that NYU is a match; I think it’s more of a reach (most of the students have above 3.75 GPA’s.)</p>

4

<p>most school spirited?? </p>

<p>Are superlatives thing you put on college apps?</p>

5

<p>"BTW, I would by no stretch of the imagination call 4 years of guitar “extensive musical talent.” "</p>

<p>I was just backing it up with an example (I play other instruments too). I’m no virtuoso, but I’m rather adept at music theory.</p>

6

<p>Reach for Yale, Cornell, and JHU. I donno about the rest.</p>

7

<p>Another update with my chances: USNWR just ranked my high school #6 in the nation. How will this affect my chances?</p>

<p>Second, I’m applying to Macalester instead of Yale. Chances there?</p>

8

<p>theres no difference between #6 and #15</p>

<p>obviously, you have a better shot at macalester than yale – its a low reach</p>

<p>brandies is a high match
hopkins, cornell, and nyu are all reaches, nyu being a low one</p>

<p>overall, your ten ap classes dont do enough to offset that low gpa
a 3.1 might mean a good amount of c’s (?), and colleges are going to question why you took such a tough schedule if you were pulling c’s a bunch of times</p>