Throwing My Hat In The Ring

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I’m neurotic and curious. Currently a rising junior (class of 2019).

I’m interested in Physics and Political Science (Figure out that combination of interests, because I sure can’t)

Demographics

  • [] White
    [    ] Female
    [] New York
    [    ] Smaller specialized HS in NYC

Yes, I’m a white Jewish girl from New York. Fight me.

Objective

[ul]
[] Average: 93.82
[] PSAT: 1370 (I kinda bullshitted it though. Operated on maybe a few hours of sleep. Did a practice test and could get over 1500 on the SAT)
[] Class Rank: Not reported, but probably around top 25% mark
[] School doesn’t give much/any leeway in terms of classes, so only one AP so far, but taking way more in junior and senior years.
[li] National award from AATG for German Proficiency, Bronze[/li][/ul]
Notes on Average: Admittedly not my greatest strength. Average has strong upward trend until spring sophomore year. Went from 95.48 to 94.16 because I had an extra weighted class fall semester and I got 100 in it (College level Astronomy).

Subjective

  • [] Take free after school classes in astrophysics
    [    ] JSA (vice president, will hopefully be president next year)
    [] Intern on city council campaign, active role in voter outreach and social media, among other areas.
    [    ] Founding an Astronomy club at my school
    [] Semifinalist in Eurochallenge
    [    ] On school’s SLT team
    [] I tutor low-income elementary school students at risk of not being promoted to the next grade
    [    ] I taught myself ukulele (I know it doesn’t sound impressive, but I’m pretty proud of myself, and I had a good time doing it)
    [] Also taught myself Python, but I’m taking AP Comp Sci next year so I’ll learn Java

Schools

  • [] Ivies (mainly Brown and Princeton)
    [] Strong liberal arts schools (Amherst, Williams, Grinnell, Vassar, Carleton, Bowdoin, Swarthmore)
    [    ] SUNYs (Binghamton, Buffalo, Stony)
    [] University of Michigan
    [    ] Maybe WashU, Northwestern

If you have any insight to share, I’d love to hear it! I know Chance Me’s aren’t that accurate in the long run, but I’d like to get an idea of whether I’m even in the running for top schools. Also, sorry, didn’t want to do an info dump but I ended up dumping. Tried to make it organized. Thanks in advance!

2

Study for your SAT. Don’t just take a practice test and then give it a try.



Your class rank is low for most of your schools. Even if your school doesn’t report it specifically, sometimes they will provide a range you fall into – outside top 10% is problematic for most of the schools on your list except the SUNYs. Also, it could slip with a lot of APs.



I’d advise you to pick 2-3 of the schools you have outside the SUNYs on your list, to apply to as reaches (because that is what they are), then look for more matches. I don’t know about those specific SUNYs and your odds there. Get a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges to look for more options.

3

Study for your SAT. Don’t just take a practice test and then give it a try.



Your class rank is low for most of your schools. Even if your school doesn’t report it specifically, sometimes they will provide a range you fall into – outside top 10% is problematic for most of the schools on your list except the SUNYs. Also, it could slip with a lot of APs.



I’d advise you to pick 2-3 of the schools you have outside the SUNYs on your list, to apply to as reaches (because that is what they are), then look for more matches. I don’t know about those specific SUNYs and your odds there. Get a copy of the Fiske Guide to Colleges to look for more options.

4

You are in a brutal demographic. Look at your classmates, see which schools they are applying to and try and find a school nobody else (who has a higher average than you) is going to apply. Even if you get a high score on the SAT or ACT your school percentage rank is going to sideline you against any of your peers who similarly apply. Your best chance is going to be to pick a school and apply ED (especially if you do not have any financial aid requirement) and again pick a school none of your peers is applying to. The top NYC High School system is cutthroat…

5

Princeton? Yikes.

Top 10% (at least) for your demo. What is your course rigor like? Take the SAT.

The ukulele thing makes you memorable, which is very helpful. I’d agree with advice to add more matches…