Should I bother applying to Highly Selective Schools?

Applying to College Admission Stories
1

I’m a senior. I had an incredibly rough time emotionally junior year and that horribly affected all of my grades, AP test scores, and my first SAT score (I took the October 1 test this year, and I expect that I did much better). My rough time dropped my gpa and rank (I went from 3rd out of roughly 650 to 11th). I got C’s and D’s for most of the year in
AP Calc AB, and low C’s for most of the year in AP Chemistry. Low A’s for History, and mid-to-high A’s in English and Anatomy. Before junior year, I had an A+ or A in every class but math, where I typically received anywhere from 92-96%.

I have never really been rank or gpa-obsessive, but most of the schools I want to go to are Ivies or otherwise highly competitive. My question is whether or not I stand a valid chance of getting into these schools despite my less-than-stellar school records junior year. I know that institutions will say that they take these things into consideration, but my parents are not so optimistic. Any input on what my chances are, or how I might be able to alleviate the problem?

Other info: I want to go into environmental engineering or systems engineering, probably combined with some kind of business or economics degree. For the duration of my high school career, I have never taken a course that was not Honors or AP. I have 4+ courses in every major academic area, minus English (I tested out of senior-level English and am taking a University-level introductory linguistics course instead).

Senior courses:
AP Calc BC
AP Physics II
Honors Chinese (fifth year)
Linguistics (online course)
AP Comparative Government
AP US Government (1st semester), AP Microeconomics (2nd semester)

Predicted SAT scores (based on a practice SAT I took before the October test):
Reading: 750-780
Writing: 780-800
Math: 700-750

I have lots of extracurricular activities, but the main ones have been rugby, writing poetry and short stories, Science Olympiad (I’m captain this year), playing the cello, and serving as technical coordinator and pronouncer for the local North South Foundation junior and senior spelling bees.

Do I stand a reasonable chance of admission into the Ivies and similarly competitive schools?

2

Your change in rank will not matter at all…3rd to 11th in a class that large is not meaningful.
What will matter is the significant downturn in your grades, and the factors that caused the dip. You will need to make a persuasive argument that the setback was temporary, and that the issues are under control. Your first semester senior grades will be more significant than for the typical applicant.

3

The range you have listed on your projected SAT scores are also fairly significant for ultra-competitive, top-tier schools. The difference between a 2230 and 2330 SAT scores (your projections above in your post) can be the difference on acceptance or not.

4

I know this may not help…but you’re not alone in having a hard time emotionally and having your grades slip, I’ve been there – and I was a top student too – so when I saw Cs and Ds on my report card it was like “WHAT just happened?” it’s hard when you now you’re capable and things happen in your life that you don’t understand. my situation was different because it happened in college and I’d basically finished my requirements for my first bachelors, but didn’t want to work in that field, so I was working toward my second bachelors…okay now don’t get jealous cuz I know you;re not even in college yet and don’t even have your bachelors, but if it makes you feel any better I was studying at some “lame” state school, haha really it’s not much to be proud of, trust me. I’d say the name of the school, but it’s one of the biggest schools in the nation and I know a lot of ppl on these boards want in…badly, but I realized even before I stepped foot on its soil it was not the school for me, just the convenient choice.

anyway, you’re VERY lucky!!! unlike me, who already has a bachelors from a no-name university, you’re still in high school, in your senior year and you have the WHOLE year ahead of you to pull up your grades. Now, my grades went down because I fell into a depression and it turned out to be good because I turned myself around spiritually, and much happier now. Plus, my father was very sick that year, hospitalized over and over, and I was taking over his business – so like me, I’m sure you have an excuse as to why your grades fell. I don’t know much about applying to the IVYs but could I suggest that you write in your essay what extenuating circumstances led to your emotional rough time. I would write it in a way that makes them feel compassion and empathy for your situation. If your situation was anything like mine, I don’t see how they could not consider you because that situation was out of your control. You could also mention that at the interview. If your grades improved in the year, I’m sure it’ll look good. Be sure to send your final transcript, as soon as you get it and/or update admissions as you get your semester grades – I don’t know if they do it through an email, or phone, or fax system, but find out and then keep updating them with your grades to show they’re improving. Plus you’ still have a chance to impress them with your SAT scores :wink: