PSAT & Grades...College Choices?

Question

I took the PSAT as a sophomore this year and received the following scores with no practicing before test date:

Critical Reading--57
Math--59
Writing---55
Total = 171
Percentile compared to Juniors who took test 81%

I'm in all Honors and AP classes and received straight As last semester. My non-weighted GPA is 3.8 and my weighted GPA is 4.3.

Do you think I might have a chance at a rather highly selective school like Northwestern University, for example?

Answer 1

There are 4 types of people: Those that are smart and work hard, those that are smart and lazy, those that aren't too smart and work hard, and those who are lazy and not to bright. I fall into the not so smart but work hard category. I went to an average college for my undergraduate (that's right undergraduate) and worked through to earn a doctorate. You are apparently very bright; and with hard work you can do anything you want. I spoke with an admission officer at Yale a few weeks ago and he told me that Ivy league colleges look for students who are diverse and well rounded. That would be students who are unique and have many different activities and experiences under their belt. Good luck and more importantly work hard. You'll go far.

Answer 2

No, those grades aren't good enough at all.

I recommend that you study for the PSAT Junior year so you will scholarships and have a better chance of getting in (because being a Merit Finalist is impressive).