Reverse chances? Semi-reach schools for low stats and decent EC student?

College Search & Lists
1

Hey! I’m currently a high school senior who is very indecisive of where to apply as ED, EA, and RD. I know that my stats are pretty low, but I want to get into top 30-40 colleges with good psychology and arts program. This is my first time writing on College Confidential btw haha please give me your honest opinions!!

Background:

  • Race: Asian
  • Nationality: Korean
  • Gender: Female
  • Intended Major: Psychology (mental health related)

GPA & Grades:

  • Cumulative GPA: 3.74 UW, 3.87 W
  • 10-12 GPA: 3.70 UW, 3.91 W
  • 9th grade: All CP classes (2 B’s 1st semester, 1 B 2nd semester)
  • 10th grade: 2 unweighted honors (2 B’s 1st semester, all A’s 2nd sem)
  • 11th grade: AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Enviro, 2 weighted honors (5 B’s 1st sem, pass/fail due to covid 2nd sem but passed all classes)
  • 12th grade: AP Lang, AP Calc AB, AP Stats, AP Gov (I’m aiming to get all A’s)

Test Score:

  • AP Exam: AP Psychology: 5
  • ACT: 26 (32/33 is my goal)
  • SAT 2 Subject Test - Korean: 800

Awards:

  • Regional recognition for Musical Theater
  • County recognition for Musical Theater
  • School recognition for Performing Arts (given to one performing arts student each year)
  • many other awards that are smaller school-wide recognition (one from math teacher, one from school counselor, 4 from performing arts)

EC’s

  • CEO of a non-profit (our work was published on newspaper)
  • Student Rep at a non-profit (making a club @ my school as a president)
  • Choir: most advanced choir @ my school for 3 years & district-wide honor choir
  • Musical Theater: 1 supporting lead, 1 section leader, & 1 lead @ my school (4 years)
  • Dance: most advanced dance team @ my school for 1 year
  • Korean Club President
  • Intern for a Political Candidate (city council)
  • Assisstant Teacher @ Korean Classes outside of school
  • School Ambassador Program Founder & Publicist
  • Church adult choir (only teenager)
  • Others: a capella group, dance club, link crew, peer tutoring, volunteering, and other clubs

Others:

  • Working on mental health awareness project with my non-profit
  • Working on curriculum reform to improve mental health community @ school
  • Sang the National Anthem in front of 2000 students & teachers
  • Did a lot of solos and duets in concerts

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHERE I HAVE A GOOD SHOT AT!! I’m planning on applying to top 20-30 for ED, top 30-40 for EA, and top 30-60/70 for RD.

2

What is your home state?

What is your budget?

What do you want in a college or university? Would you prefer a small school or a large school? Would you prefer to be in a large city, small city, town, or rural?

There are a lot of universities with very good psychology programs.

However, getting a good job with a bachelor’s degree in psychology usually involves getting at least a master’s degree – with there being a fairly wide variety of which type of master’s degree is chosen. This implies that budgeting for 5 or 6 years of university might be a good idea.

3

Check out Muhlenberg, Bard, Denison, and Earlham. Different vibes, but you would probably be a great addition to any of those.

4

I don’t see applying to reach schools ED or EA being a good idea for you. With your last year of grades all P’s and B’s, you are likely an easy rejection from the level of colleges that you mentioned.

5

I deleted the comment.

6

Nationality: Korean

By this do you mean you are not a US citizen? If so, do you have a green card or would you be applying as an international applicant?