You are here:
- Home
- Education
- College Life
- Choosing the Right College
- Can I get in? Do I have a chance?
Choosing the Right College/Can I get in? Do I have a chance?
Advertisement
Question
Currently I'm a sophomore. My average for last year was 96, and this year it's 90, and I'm extremely worried. Only the AP Class is weighted; my school doesn't weight honors classes.
My dream schools are Carnegie Mellon, NYU, Johns Hopkins.
If I make major improvements during Junior Year, do I stand a chance?
Would the fact that I'm in the science research program, science honor society, fencing team, and a published artist/poet help me at all? I'm planning to join science olympiad and the newspaper, and I signed up to take a college class next year. Would those ECs help me? I'm talented in art and piano, how can I make the best use of my abilities?
As for tests, I'm not really worried because I test well. I did extremely well on PSATS, and I got a 790 on the bio sat ii test i took last year.
Do I have a chance? What should I do?
Katherine,
Your grades, test scores and activities would all make you a competitive applicant for the colleges you mention. However, that assumes that you maintain and hopefully improve your grades. Colleges understand that there can be some variance of grades but the harder your courses the best situation is if your grades improve. If your grades decrease with harder courses that might be an area of concern. The next year and a half of grades will be the most important.
Keep up your grades and continue your activities and you should be competitive. However, since each of these colleges is competitive, you should also be considering some colleges that are somewhat easier to gain admission.
Related Articles
- What are Core Classes?
- Community College - Transferring from a Community College
- Good Academic Record - What Is Considered a Good Academic Record for College Admissions?
- Love Sneaks Up On Us In College - Reader Stories: How did you meet your partner?
- How to Get Your Teen into College - Acing the SAT and SAT II
Answers by Expert:
Todd Johnson
Expertise
I can help students and families understand the whole college admissions process from evaluating what a student wants from a college to finding the right college. This includes advising on the college application, the essay, recommendations and visiting colleges. I also can help families understand college financial aid. I have particular expertise in helping students who are applying to BS/MD programs.
Experience
I am a lawyer as well as a college admission consultant and have spent more than 11 years consulting with students and families on how to find the right college for each student. I work with students throughout the US as well as international students who wish to attend college in the US. I have helped hundreds of students find the best college for each student's needs. I have particular expertise helping students become the most competitive candidate for BS/MD programs.
Organizations
Independent Educational Consultants Association, Professional Member;
Higher Education Consultants Association;
National Association for College Admission Counseling;
Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling
Publications
Todd is the author of "BS/MD Programs-The Complete Guide: Getting into Medical School from High School."
College Admissions Counseling’s blog content has been featured by the Chicago Sun Times, Fox News, Reuters and other major websites. It is syndicated by Blogburst.
Education/Credentials
BA St. Olaf College;
JD Washington University in St. Louis
Awards and Honors
I am an instructor for the University of California Irvine extension.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.