The Ivy League and Acceptance Into College?

Question

Okay. I am just wondering who else wants to get into the "elite" colleges? I will break my stats down. I am the secretary of my Key Club and plan on running for Vice President at the end of the year (I have been secretary for 2 years). I am a certified CPR instructor, am in the "Trial By Jury" program, I am in National Honor Society, have a gossip column in the school newspaper, am on the tennis team, am, of course, a minority, and the first one in my family to go to college in the U.S. (I heard colleges look into that kinda thing). I have a 3.97 unweighted GPA and weighted it is a 4.5 (or something like that). I am ranked first in my class of 530, and I got an 1800 on my PSAT's in my Sophomore year (they are making us take it for real this year). I know that's bad, don't worry! I have a bunch of ap classes this year, and I got a 4 on my world history one. Anyone in the same boat, and does anyone have any tips on me to improve my stats? (Besides getting my PSAT scores up.)

I want to be an economic correspondent/journalist for the Wall Street Journal. That is why I would like to go to Yale. I just wanted to know if I could get into any Ivy League University since I know that Yale only accepts the cream of the crop. I figured that the trial experience and column in my school's newspaper would give me experience if I wanted to change my mind later on and be a crime columnist. So, those are my future plans.

Answer 1

I was trying to think of a smart-*** answer, but couldn't....... I don't know the answer to your question but it's refreshing to see an articulate, well written question in here..............

Good luck to you in your acedemic pursuits. You are already ahead of about 99% of the competition...........

Answer 2

Only one problem. You seem to view an Ivy League school as an end in itself. You mention absolutely nothing about why you want to go to such a school. You also view them all as the same. Ivy League schools are looking for students that have direction--who can explain what goal(s) they will be assisting the student in achieving and why they are better suited than another institution to help.

Your explanation of your "credentials" is scattershot and has no overarching theme. What is your passion? What are your corresponding goals? What are you doing to achieve those?

Good grades and activity lists will get you into a decent school. But there are many more people who can make good grades and sign up for activities than there are seats at Yale, etc. Having passions and goals will help with more than just getting into school. They'll put you on the path to a meaningful life.

Admissions personnel are not going to be impressed by applicants that view their school as little more than a desirable brand. This is not a handbag, its your life.

Answer 3

Sounds like a pretty good resume for applying to college. I got into Duke with pretty similiar stats. If you are a rising junior try doing an internship next summer in a field your interested in. That should be a little something extra alot of high school students don't do.

Answer 4

Wow...we are so similar. I am in the same boat and have most of the same stats. I really think that you should not worry, and study really hard!! That was pretty much the advise people gave me. Try looking into other schools. For example, I am looking into NYU, Carleton, and Berkeley (maybe even Columbia).

Answer 5

You seem to have a good chance in getting into an Ivy League school.

I applied to Princeton but was waitlisted and finally rejected, but it seems you are on your way towards an Ivy League college.

Answer 6

Yeah umm..I don't know what to say. You seem to have a good handle on things. Well...I can recommend a website. The princeton review has one that is really awesome and has lots of info on colleges!!!