Match/Chance Me for Liberal Arts! HS Junior, 3.8uw GPA, with a maybe unique spike? [FL resident, need FA]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US domestic
  • Florida
  • Haitian
  • Junior in high school
  • Female/Black/ Haitian Immigrant Parents:
    *URM, Mom has associates but not 4 year, dad does

Intended Major(s)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.8
  • Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 4.198/4.0
  • Class Rank: 16/380
  • ACT/SAT Scores: N/A

Coursework
3 APS - Eviornmental (2) Seminar (…2 because of a lack of a teacher) Art History (Online, test too costly) Currently enrolled in Research, APUSH, Macroecon and Gov. Had a B in Research last semester, the rest A’s

9 Honors Classes - Alegbra 1 and 2, Biology, Pre Calc, Chemistry, English 1 and 2, World History, and Geometry. A’s except Pre-Calc (B-), Chemistry (B+), English 2 (B), and Geometry (B+).

Biology - Had in 8th grade (Corona) and got a D, retook 11th and got an A, D still on transcript.

Dual Enrollment - ENC 1101, Intro to Psychology, College Success, Career Planning, A’s except career planning, got a B

Awards

  • Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (International, 60 girls chosen)
  • Yale Women In Economics Semi-Finalist (National, approximately 50% of over 1000 applicants)
  • Scholastic Art and Writing Silver Key (Regional, top 7% of 300,000 submissions)
  • Princeton Journalism Summer Program Semi-Finalist (National)
  • Alexander Hamilton Scholars Program Finalist - 50 out of over 600 chosen nationally for a 5-year mentorship program

–Awards Included In Letters–

  • AFJROTC Marine Leadership Award (1 out of 400+ cadets to get it, just joined 5 months prior, school)
  • Pioneer Prep Scholar (National, Fly-in at University of Denver, 30 out of over 300 applicants, 12 of 30 out of state)

Extracurriculars
Youtube - Creator (9-11)

Uploaded Nickelodeon lost media to Youtube, under the name “(redacted)” Gained over 65,000+ views over 2 years. Collaborated with others around the United States and found news reports, radio interviews, and advertisements. Interviewed animation industry professionals and Emmy winning songwriters. Bypassed old game systems. Had legal permission.

Freelance Writer - Independent (9-11)

Wrote multiple expository articles and creative writing for literary magazines and organizations surrounding social justice, civics, and the black community. Published online globally for readers.

DemocraShe Scholar (11) -

One of 50 chosen nationally to receive a $500 stipend engaging in civics and government, met with LA congresswomen to learn more on the electoral process and change in community.

Intern at FirstGen Support (10) -

Marketed a virtual college prep series and successfully brought in 300+ first-generation student attendees, had them engage with speakers from Harvard, Yale, Berkeley, etc.

Class Council President (10-11)

Held position as class president for grades 10th, and currently 11th. Coordinated multiple fundraisers and had over 15+ students assisted raising funds.

JROTC (10-11) -

Logistic Officer Superintendent, Second Lieutenant (2Lt, 11th). Volunteered to run canned food drives and coordinate cadet hangouts for over 400 cadets.

Success Team - Member (9-11)

Received a $500 scholarship for a trip to Atlanta, Georgia. Visited colleges such as Emory, Georgia Tech, Alabama State, and Clark Atlanta (10th). Recruited over 15+ to join over 2 years, received multiple college opportunities.

Drama Club (10-11) -

Performed in front of over 600+ in two years, assisted in props and rehearsal while dancing and acting.

Debate (11) -

Finalist for the Incubate Debate regional competition, placed in the top 25% of debaters from central Florida.

Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) (11)-

Placed 2nd in the region for advertising and qualified to make states, competed out of 10+ students from surrounding counties.

Essays/LORs/Other
So far, my options for rec letters are my Chief (JROTC, Military vet, in AF for 20 years and has the rarest rank) and my college English professor (ENC 1101) and counselor (we are locked in!) Essays, I hope they’re good!

Summer Programs
UDenver Pioneer Prep - (Mentioned above)
Kelley Program - (forgot the name as I type this, mentioned above)
Kenyon Young Writers (Residential) -Accepted, full ride
Denison Young Writers (Residential) - Accepted, full ride
Princeton Journalism (Residential) Semi-Finalist
Interviewing as an intern for a US Congress internship:D

Cost Constraints / Budget
I want my focus to be just on schools, but the average comes to around paying 15k.

Schools
WashU
Yale
Princeton
Boston University
(Not the full list, but some of my top choices)
Feel free to match me or ask for the full list :slight_smile:

Addtional Info
I value a black population, but I do like diversity. Look at Harvard’s demographics for an example of what I mean (No, not aiming for Harvard)
My dad got his degree here.
For bright futures, I haven’t made the testing or community service requirement yet.
Please give some suggestions for where i should go to.

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So one thing to keep in mind is that most highly selective colleges really look at grades and rigor first, and maybe test scores as well. I am not sure if you are planning to go without an SAT/ACT, but if so then that will put even more focus on your grades and rigor.

And you have obviously done quite well, but I think you should be aware that the most selective colleges see many people who get near-perfect grades with pretty much max rigor, and they then turn down many because they don’t have enough slots to go around.

So I think it is fine to apply to a few schools like the ones you named, but I also think you are going to benefit from devoting a lot of attention to finding schools where your grades/rigor are actually on the high side for them, that would be affordable, and that you would love to attend.

And we can help you find such schools, but it would be helpful to get an idea of what would excite you in a college.

Like, do you have any specific academic interests, majors, or programs you can to make sure your college covers? You only mentioned private research universities so far–would you consider smaller independent colleges? Public universities? You have a mix of settings and regions so far–any thoughts on that? Any other things you would particularly like/dislike? That sort of information would be very helpful to guide suggestions.

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OP’s thread from February may be helpful for folks:

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I’m interested in the humanities/black studies, with a minor in finance? Might make them vice versa once I get in. I would consider smaller colleges, and I don’t want any public schools outside of Florida, since they would be high cost.

Also for SAT, I have the school one coming up. Major dislikes are schools with an extreme focus on one subject, basically without a balance of both subjects

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Just to be clear - you had a thread about submitting LORs over a year ago.

Is this a different student / scenario?

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Oh that was a totally different scenario . You can see there that it was for prep school admissions

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OK - I missed that - but thanks for the explanation. Will take a look at this one.

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So I think the University of Florida is an obvious possibility, assuming it would be affordable. They have a robust African American Studies program located in their College of Liberal Arts & Sciences:

Agnes Scott, mentioned by a few people in the older thread I believe, also seems like an obvious possibility to me if you would consider a women’s college, again assuming it would be OK on cost (I will stop adding that caveat, but it is useful not to waste time on unaffordable options):

I’m also thinking you might want to check out Oberlin. As I understand it they have a pioneering program in that area, and they are really good for Humanities generally:

The University of Rochester might be an interesting choice. Has a really large international population, hosts the Frederick Douglass Institute and Department of Black Studies, and perhaps more importantly has a curriculum structure that works really well for exploring and combining interests.

For these two Northern colleges, though, you would have to consider that while diverse generally, they typically only have a relatively small percentage identifying as Black specifically.

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Just wondering - about UF - will they be targeting cultural or ethnic majors at some point? I don’t know. But I would dig into that because you don’t want to be studying somewhere and have your course of study pulled out from under you.

I agree - the budget is the first concern - you can’t eliminate it.

And I’m torn on the rigor, etc because there were so many summer programs that schools may have you on their lists.

I’m assuming the NPCs are showing you $15K - that that’s why you are targeting those schools.

So I go back to - you listed four high reaches - which assured schools do you have that you can afford (this isn’t your full list I know.)?

You are impressive - and if you weave your ethnicity in through essays or activities - that can and will help - but on an application by itself, it can’t. Without doing so, I think TO will hurt you.

I wouldn’t worry about the 8th grade class.

But I would ensure you have a school - any school - that is assured and would be affordable.

To apply to a Florida public, you’d need a test.

Good luck.

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