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Hi guys. I am currently enrolled at a rigorous HS in Florida and have a 3.65 GPA. This is with everything included and I have taken a very demanding courseload with AP Calculus and AP English, and College Algebra this year(12th grade). My SAT is an 1170 but I will hopefully get break past 1250 in the next two tries. My ECs are very competitive including almost all varsity sports, national honor society, math honor society, french honor society, debate clubs, science clubs, and about 300 hours of community service. Some other stats are that I am from the Middle East and English is my second language. I have teachers who I am confident will write excellent recs. Can you please lend me any suggestions of where I should apply and evaluate my chances of admission?! Thnx. Also, my class rank is in the top 20%

By Dadster on Thursday, September 19, 2002 - 10:38 pm: Edit

There are probably a couple of thousand schools in the US that you can apply to and be assured of acceptance, and a few hundred more where you are a likely admit. This means that you need to look at the issue in another way: what kind of college do you want to attend? Big or small? Urban or rural? Technical or liberal arts? Is big-time athletics important? A strong intramural program? Do you have a major or career you expect to pursue? Is climate important? Do you prefer to stay in Florida, or get farther away?

If you can narrow things down a bit, some colleges will probably become obvious choices to you - if you post your criteria here, you might get some less-obvious suggestions.

Good luck, hopeful!

By hopeful on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 02:32 pm: Edit

I am looking at Georgetown University in DC, Stanford, University of Florida, and Nyu. What do you think my chances of acceptance is at these schools I mentioned. thnx.

By hopeful on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 09:11 pm: Edit

hey Dadster are you there?

By Dadster on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 10:05 pm: Edit

Stanford, NYU, and Georgetown look like major reaches - you have a better shot at being a Gator.

By hopeful on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 11:34 pm: Edit

Why do you think I won't make it into the other schools I have listed?

By hopeful on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 11:36 pm: Edit

Do you think I would have any other reaches or ballparks or competitive ones?

By Dadster on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 12:26 am: Edit

My comment was based mainly on the 1170 SAT, hopeful, which is not very competitive at these schools, and the apparent lack of a killer EC (e.g., All State soccer goalie, world-class violinist, etc.). Do you think you could be an athletic candidate, i.e., can you play sports at the level at whichthat these schools compete? That would help. You didn't mention SAT II scores.

My suggestion would be to sit down with your guidance counselor to get a more comprehensive view of your chances. Ideally, you should have a few schools on your list where you are at the high end of the statistical profile. You'll have a high probability of being admitted, plus maybe even have a shot at some merit money.

If your high school counseling office is hopeless, this site has a cheap Stats Eval service (click the counseling link on the home page) that can give you an informed view of your chances at your target schools and perhaps suggest a few other ideas. Good luck!

By hopeful on Sunday, September 22, 2002 - 02:37 pm: Edit

Thanks Dadster. I am a legacy as well as a development at Stanford. Second of all, Georgetown and NYU have plenty of students around the 1200 range

By monica on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 06:02 pm: Edit

hopeful, i'm so very tired of trying to understand you. please stop asking people for your chances and blowing up at them when they try to give you some sincere feedback.

apply to more safeties.

By asheridan on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 07:12 pm: Edit

hopeful -- people are just trying to help you, although I agree that sometimes the advice comes across as a bit harsh. It is great that you are optimistic -- that's a real help in this world. But since the weight of opinion seems to regard Stanford and Georgetown as real reaches, then it seems realistic for you to add some safety schools and match schools (where your statistics are at least in the middle of the accepted pool) to your list. If Stanford and Georgetown are your dream schools, then by all means, apply! It's important to pursue your dreams. Plus, you may indeed have a foot in the door through your "development" status. Just don't overlook all the other excellent schools which would love to have someone of your determination and qualifications. Best of luck.

By helpful? on Monday, September 23, 2002 - 08:28 pm: Edit

Hopeful - my suggestion would be to set your sights a lot higher than 1250 for your ultimate SAT goal. Have you tried one of the computer prep and review programs? My son did both Kaplan and Princeton Review and liked both - said the dialog was not as corny on Princeton. If you can do well in AP Calculus and AP English, you should be able to score higher. I realize that scores are given too much weight at many schools, but you don't want to stick out for the wrong reasons. Please don't take offense, but we have at least 3 or 4 kids a year score above 1100 on the SAT as 7th graders - and this is at a small TX school district. (HS = 300) Don't obsess about it, but you should really concentrate on bringing your scores up to reflect your school coursework. Good luck to you.

By Nivekng (Nivekng) on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 12:41 am: Edit

Hopeful, I'm not an ivy-leager, and remember, NONE of us are, but we certainly have seen what happens to many of our friends around us as they get into (or fail to get into) the top universities. Is it too difficult to peer outside of the box and see what other people have to think? Well, it is true that some of the information given out is bitingly harsh, but can u not forgo your pride to listen to what people say? After all, you didn't come to this site only to be congratulated for your admissions did you? And one more thing...

"I didn't come to this website to be insulted and I guess I am not sophisticated enough to take the "constructive criticism" that you all "ivy-leaguers" do to let people down and convince them that they are not cut for elite schools. "

You probably are, as are the rest of the students that apply to Stanford, capable of doing work in elite schools. In fact, 85% or higher are expected to be able to handle the work load, but its the matter of being accepted first. No one denies that you are capable of workin in an elite school setting, but its what it takes to get there that matters...for you are competing against the elite and the very brightest of the nation for those few selected spots. If you do not wish to listen, then that is your choice, but I doubt you will find anywhere else that will give you any sort of different answer. I hope you gain some insight in what everyone's been trying to tell you.

By Admin (Admin) on Tuesday, September 24, 2002 - 07:44 pm: Edit

Hey, everyone, let's stay on-topic and avoid ad hominen attacks... I've deleted the flames and near-flames, but tried to leave up the posts that had some useful content. The hallmark of this forum is friendly discussion - please respect that!