What colleges will accept me?

Question

Ok, so I'm a junior in HS and my total unweighted GPA is maybe around a 3.7, weighted maybe a 4.1?...I have yet to take the SATs, but no my PSATs I got a 62 on Critical Reading, 63 on math, and 59 on math, and am in the 90th percentile. I'm hoping to break at least a 2000 in the March SATs, but will most likely take them over.
I don't really have sports (except badminton, which I know doesn't count as much), though my extra-curriculars are piano, violin, life-drawing (drawing nude models-part of AP Art curriculum), and I'm in my school magazine. I have never won any national awards, and I think I'm just average...but I really want a good college to accept me! It doesn't have to be an Ivy League school, but not just any community college either. Will a college along the lines of NYU accept me, or am I just dreaming? I'm so worried...

New York University isn't an Ivy league...its a state university.

Oh yea...on Fridays I go to this place that helps children with special needs.

lol, I know some sophmores that got into the 99th percentile, and a few of my friends did. Its just that everyone in my school is really competitive and do really well in school because their parents have elite jobs and such...and even though I'm good at the arts I dont' want to major in a liberal art. *sigh* I'm just really worried.

Answer 1

If you really do well on the SATs (over 2000 and above the 90th percentile), you should shoot for much better schools than NYU. NYU is a fine university, but it is inundated with applications because students think it is better than it is.

I'd advise you to start looking at top tier liberal arts colleges. Go to http://www.collegeconfidential.com, and click on "Discussions." From that page, check out the discussion boards for "Top Liberal Arts Colleges," and see what applicants to these schools are saying about their own qualifications, and acceptances for the fall.

You don't have to worry about sports. You have music. If you are not in a leadership position at your school magazine, get into one. If you've already done some volunteer work in the community that you haven't mentioned here, that's even better.

Everything you bring to the table right now is way above average. You are going to do just fine when it comes to college admissions, I promise. :)

But do your research. There are going to be many paths open to you, but it is up to you to find them. Don't just pick the colleges nearby, or the ones you've heard of from others. Think about what kind of environment you'd like for college, and find the right place for you.

Best wishes to you!

EDIT: I just noticed your update. You don't have to major in the liberal arts at a liberal arts college! Top-tier liberal arts colleges have some of the finest hard science and social science programs in the country!

Obviously, you are comparing yourself to your "elite" peers. Get some perspective. Remember, you'll be competing for college admission against students from all over the country, most not as fortunate as your classmates in terms of background.

Answer 2

besides the undeniable fact that schools are worried with age and adulthood, the biggest ingredient is your factor of steerage. i'm no longer effective of the minimum age because maximum colleges do not encounter this variety of project on a common foundation. once you've accomplished the wanted situations, then you fairly should be considered as an applicant. colleges do have a tendency to turn faraway from ambitious infant prodigies over the region of adulthood, so if you're very youthful, say 15 or youthful, do not set your hopes too extreme. if you're graduating a year early or something alongside those lines then you fairly should be thoroughly advantageous and be considered alongside with the 18 year previous applicant pool.

Answer 3

Your grades are good and if you get the SAT you are hoping for (which is a big if), you definitely have a shot. Don't downplay your activities; most students, even at good schools, aren't national champions in their hobbies. And sports are no more important than music, art, and writing as activities. You might think about doing some volunteer work of some sort; it shows that you think of someone other than yourself, and may make a difference to some schools.

Answer 4

NYU is Ivy League. But there are so many darn good schools out there. Most state schools are just as good if not better than private Ivy schools...Michigan, UCLA, Cal, Ohio St. etc. etc. And cheaper. Focus on a good degree program and not so much the school.

Answer 5

Just apply, your grades are good and you are more into extracurriculars than my daughter was and she dropped out of school got her GED and was accepted in a four year University before the seniors graduated.