What colleges do you think I could get into?

Question

I have a 3.7 GPA, I got a 140 on my PSAT for sophomore year, so probably I'll be like in the 1200 - 1250 range for SATs. I am the editor of my high school newspaper, I am in a selective program called STS for student to student mentor program. I am a state coordinator for a non profit organization involved in the Darfur crisis. I am the student council elected representative at large for my high school, a rep of all the students for the board of ed meetings. I am taking AP English and AP Art History, along with honors history. I am aiming for NYU but where do you honestly think I could go with my record?

what about penn state as well? Is that a likely college I could get into?

Answer 1

I don't think your stats match up with NYU, but you should check their web site to be sure. They are pretty competitive and your SAT/PSAT isn't too good. However, they might be impressed by your extracurriculars. It's worth a try if they are your favorite.

You should go through the princetonreview.com or collegeboard college search programs and try to pick out a few of the top tier schools that might match up with your qualifications. Fordham is in NY and has a much nicer campus than NYU. And there are dozens of schools around the NorthEast that would be a good match.

Any school that is in the top 100 of the US News rankings in either the National category, the top 5 - 10 of the Regional category, or the top 25 Liberal Arts category will be a very good school that can give you a great education.... take a look!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

To optimize your chances of getting into a top tier college, ask yourself the following questions: Are you taking the most demanding schedule at your school? Are you taking the most advanced courses possible in multiple subjects? Some recommendation forms ask if your school ranks its students. If so, how do you rank as compared to your classmates?
Your college advisor should be able to find colleges that are a good fit for you. Remember that attending a top tier college doesn't necessarily help you in a job interview if you are in the middle of the pack. With your stats, I think Penn State could be a good fit. I went to Penn State for grad school, and I have nothing but good things to say about the Penn State and the Nittany Lions.

Answer 3

Boston College, Vanderbilt maybe(its hella hard to get in there now for some reason) Emory, maybe Duke.
For Vanderbilt and Duke the application process if more tricky because they don't just look at you from a strictly numbers and quantative point of view, they really DO want to know who you are and how you can achieve at their school.
From what it sounds like though you seem to be on the right track to applying to and getting accepted to good schools of your choice.
Don't worry too much about the future though. Since I assume you are a junior you really REALLY don't want to stress out over college. Senior year, if any, is the the year to stress out for. You don't want to burn yourself out early and just keep up the pace but find time to relax and enjoy whats left of your highschool. It really will be gone before you know it and, trust me I wanted to get out of high school really badly, you'll miss some part of your high school experience and you really don't want to remember just working for college and acceptance. Just work for yourself and you'll be happy dude.
Alright peace out.