<p>Prior to taking the junior-year PSAT, I had composed a list of schools I was interested in. I’m a very ambitious person (as are most the people on this board) but I’m also very practical. So, based on my sophomore year PSAT score of 205, I had developed this list based on the idea that I would probably get an SAT near 2000. I was looking specifically at Rice and Tufts as reaches, NYU and University of Rochester as possible matches, and University of Texas as my safety (since I’m guaranteed automatic acceptance based on my class rank).</p>
<p>I got my junior-year PSAT back, and was extremely surprised to see I had scored a 225. Now, I’ve started to wonder if this is a considerable enough difference to maybe pick some more exclusive schools. If anybody has any thoughts, I’d love to hear them.</p>
<p>Other admissions info: </p>
<p>Curriculum: All IB classes
Extracurricular/Awards: marching band, concert band, Quiz League, hospice volunteer, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, (probably one or two more once the break is over) and probable National Merit Scholar
GPA: 3.75 and climbing
Class Rank: 32/715
PSAT: M-68 CR-77 W-80
Demographics: Half-White/Half-Mexican, Female, Atheist</p>
<p>With your PSAT scores I’d say it’s definitely too early to rule out any schools. The schools you listed are all great schools, but it wouldn’t hurt also to consider top-10 universities and LACs.</p>
<p>I’m not sure why you list “Atheist” under your demographics. I don’t think it will matter with regard to admissions at any of the schools you list (I know it won’t at the northeastern schools on your list).</p>
<p>No problem. I figured that but didn’t want to presume. It won’t be an issue at the schools I mentioned for admissions or in daily life. I don’t really know anything about Texas or Rice, so I can’t say.</p>
<p>You may also want to consider selective women’s colleges. Smith, for example, is full of ambitious students who are also very nice.</p>
<p>You’re also a lock for being selected for the National Hispanic Recognition Program. My daughter has roughly similar stats as yours (hers are higher in GPA, lower in PSAT), and is half Hispanic. When she plugs her stats into online calculators, her chances at top colleges aren’t very good. When she adds that she’s Hispanic, she has a decent shot at even the colleges with the most difficult admissions.</p>
<p>How much is cost and financial aid a concern? Be sure to check the net price calculator on each college’s web site if cost and financial aid are concerns.</p>