What are my chances of getting in? Where else should I look?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

First off, I know my stats aren’t that good. My SAT is decent but I plan on retaking it - can someone also explain to me the SAT II? Is that something I should be looking into?

This is going to be quite long, I’m sorry! Please please read through though, I really need advice.

Okay, my school does trimesters. I’m currently a junior and I don’t have any grades/credits for the first trimester of my freshman year because I moved at an awkward time of the school year, but I had good grades (A’s and B’s, and even got a glowing recommendation from my counselor) and when I moved many many states away lol, my grades suffered and a lot of it had to do with my legal guardian becoming an alcoholic… (problems at home) I don’t think this constitutes any excuse for my grades but that is the reason they are like this.

Freshman Year (weighted GPA from this year: 2.00)

Biology B-
Hon Geometry D-
Hon English F
Modern World Civ A
Spanish I B

Biology C-
Hon English F
Hon Geometry F
Spanish I C+
W Geography C-

Sophomore Year (weighted GPA from this year: 3.73)

2D Art A-
Chemistry A
Geometry A
Hon English B+
W History Civ C-

Honors Comp B+
3D Art A-
German I A
Hon Algebra II A-
W History Civ B

Accounting C
Chemistry B+
German I A
Hon Algebra II B
Hon Engligh A

Junior Year (weighted GPA from this year, so far: 4.55)

German II A
Hon PreCal/Trig A
AP English A-
Psychology A-
AP Physics A-

AP English B
AP Physics A-
Hon PreCal/Trig A
US History A-

Currently taking, in parentheses my expected grades (expected GPA 4.75)
German II (A)
Hon PreCal/Trig (A)
AP Physics (A)
AP English (A)

I am currently, as well as last trimester, taking online classes to finish up my foreign language requirements, get credit for my freshman F’s and credits I couldn’t get (like from when I moved), and to finish up social studies requirements. I’ve taken:

English 9 B
Geometry C+ (I know…)
Economy A
Government B
and finishing up both parts of Algebra I, first part of Spanish II, and first part of freshman English
over the summer I need to take the second parts of Spanish II and US History, and a P.E. class, and Health

As of right now my unweighted GPA is 3.1, and weighted is 3.45. Most of the online classes are not factored in yet so I’m guessing it will stay about the same, maybe going down a bit. At the end of the school year, I’m expecting around a 3.4 for unweighted GPA? And a 3.82 for weighted.

Next year I am signed up for

P.E. (as I need two credits of it)
Current Health Issues
AP Biology
AP Literature
AP Physics II
AP Calculus
AP Psychology

Now, my composite SAT score is 1950. I got a 620 in Reading, 630 in Math, and 700 in Writing.
I plan on retaking it, I want to get over 2020 or so…

Extracurriculars…

Volleyball (10th-11th, will join 12th) and JV captain 11th grade
Tennis (10th-11th, will join 12th)
Mentor Program (11th, will join 12th)
Art Club (10th-current, will join 12th) Secretary 10th-current
NHS volunteering (I didn’t get in, I actually know why, its bc of the teacher conference and some of the teachers there only had me as a freshman and therefore a bad impression of me… but I volunteered with them on 4 occasions so far and am applying next year, so hopefully NHS will actually be on my list)
UChicago Hospital Volunteer
Second Chance 4 Pets Volunteering (assisted hosting events, fostered 4 pets, and other general help)

Now, my top schools…
Purdue West Lafayette
UChicago
New York University
Loyola Chicago

I live in Indiana but out of state vs in state doesn’t matter much to me obviously lol only Purdue is in-state.
Where should I be looking? For a safety school, I have Ohio State though I haven’t looked into it as much I have into these schools.

My potential majors are Psychology, Physics, Astrophysics (if offered, it isn’t at Purdue for example), or Genetics. I then plan to go to med school.

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I forgot to add I’m expecting a 5 on my AP English exam, and a 4 on the AP Physics.

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Anyone please? I guess all thats important from the grades is that I got F’s and D’s (and an A and B’s) my freshman year and a sharp increase every year since.

I looked up the SAT II’s and it looks like the ones that I could/would take are Physics, Literature, Biology, and Mathematics I and II. Also going to aim for 2100+ (with 700+ in each section) on my SATs.

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Uggh… one more thing… I was suspended 4 days my sophomore year for a fight .

5

Those F’s and D’s, current SAT, and the whole disciplinary actions will almost certainly bar you from most of your top schools. UChicago and NYU would be incredibly high reaches, not far from impossible for an applicant with a 3.1, best case 3.4, UW gpa, 1950 SAT, and with suspensions.
I hate to sound pessimistic but I really think your college list has been crafted incorrectly based on your stats and profile. I’d suggest looking at the common data sets for each school to get an idea of where you fall and craft your list accordingly.
Best of luck buddy!

6

You are over reaching in my opinion. I think you can have some college acceptances…but I don’t think you will get into UChicago or NYU.

You have a shot at Purdue but your grades and the fight are a problem.

Same with Loyola Chicago…you have a chance.

Your best bet might be to look closely at in-state public options.

You need to identify some match and safety schools. Try taking the ACT. The ACT includes a section that tests science. This could help you.

SAT IIs are subject tests in subjects such as Math, Physics, World History, American History, etc. Some schools require 2 of these tests. You could take them June 2 but you may not need them.

Do you know how you will pay for college? Before you make a list, you need to understand how much money you have and wether you should apply to schools that meet need or schools that award merit. In-state schools may be your most affordable option.

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I’m going to agree with others that you are overreaching here. Ohio State is also not a safety for you. Your SAT is ok for OSU, but that GPA is low. You might get into Ohio State, but you need another school to be a safety…along the lines of Kent State or Bowling Green or maybe Ball State since you are in Indiana.

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Thank you for responses! Um, yeah, I’m not quite sure why I included UChicago although it is my top school. I plan on getting my sh*t completely together during college and hopefully becoming a competitive applicant for their med school.

Another thing, after the summer/online courses my GPA will be going up, obviously not ENOUGH, but it won’t be quite as bad as it is now.

If I retake the SAT, I honestly believe I could get a much better score. To put it in perspective, I have the 2nd highest SAT score in my school out of current juniors and seniors. I would aim for something well over 2000.

What kind of ACT score is competitive? Along with a higher SAT, slightly higher GPA, and possibly some SAT II tests, would I become much more competitive when applying ?

It was my understanding NYU and Loyola and Ohio State would be generally matches/somewhat easy acceptances. Maybe I am looking in the wrong places or at outdated data :confused:

As for paying, if I get into Purdue (my top, realistic choice) I should be pretty much good. My friend with similar family income, along with loans, will pay about $150/yr.

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If it helps, I also wrote very very good essays! I know this is important to colleges.

I can also get a very very good recommendation from my AP Physics teacher, which I expect will look good if applying for Physics. (but I’m considering Nutrition for Purdue because it is geared toward premed and I was looking into minoring in it anyways, so then I can just take extra physics on the side)

I would be able to get fantastic letters from my current English teacher or the head of my school’s NHS (also an English teacher) but they are both leaving after this year. If they leave but still write me a letter, is this okay? Since they will no longer be teachers at my school…