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Here's a summary of my academic achievements:

Rank 10 out out 690
GPA = 4.467, unweighted is 3.7

My school is Gilbert High School / the senior class this year is particularly competitive compared to the previous years.

Have taken three AP classes last year (English Language and Composition, American History, and Biology) and am taking seven AP classes this year (European History, Government, Economics, Literature and Composition, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus)

SAT score = 1350 ACT score= 33 (33,34,35, and 29 in the respective categories as they appear on the score summary).

SAT II scores = Molecular Biology = 780
American History = 720
Writing = 690
(essay got a perfect score)

Little extracirrucular participation: Boy Scouts and National Honor Society. My high school career was a turning point in my life, and unfortunately I didn't feel a strong need to participate within my school. However, I have done some tutoring work on a regular basis.

What is the best course of action I should take when approaching the Ivy-League colleges? I correlate more towards the risk-type candidate - is my academic record substantial enough to not be immediately thrown into the reject pile?

By Arthur on Sunday, October 06, 2002 - 01:52 am: Edit

I apologize...I also meant to include this question as well:

What tests, if any, should I take to make myself more desirable?

By sgandhi on Sunday, October 06, 2002 - 06:29 pm: Edit

Arthur, you should probably take your SAT II Writing test again and try to raise your grammar score. You may also want to retake your SAT I, but I think that your ACT score is competitive. With respect to your desire to go to the Ivy League, your academics are stellar. However, and this is my opinion only (don't take it personally), you may trouble going to the Ivy League because of your lack of extracurriculars. The one caveat I have is that you may have a good shot if you write a great college essay (as I'm sure you will, considering your perfect SAT II Writing essay subscore). My final verdict: you could get in on your great college essay.