My mother thinks I can only get into University of Georgia or Emory. Could I do better?

Question

My dream would be to go to one of the top schools in the country, such as Vanderbilt or Duke, but I know they are very competitive. By my stats, do you think I could go to a top school, such as Cornell or Vassar, instead of the University of Georgia?

Here are my stats:
4.0 GPA
SAT: 700 Math, 730 Verbal, 730 Writing
Ranked 2 out of 524
Lettered in varsity tennis
Key Club
Beta Club
Art Club
National English Honors Society
School Pageant decoration committee
Student Council Public Relations Officer
Minor role in 2 One-Act Plays
National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Participant
Counselor at a camp for underprivileged children
100 volunteer hours at the local hospital
church youth group
church youth choir
7 Honors classes and 7 AP classes
Academic Letter
2 summer programs for the gifted (TIP) at Duke University
Honor Roll with Distinction
Honor Graduate with Distinction
History Department Citizenship Award
Johns Hopkins CTY Summer Program participant
AP Scholar with Distinction

I am asking because I feel like my application doesn't stand out and is more about breadth rather than depth.

Answer 1

I think you would have a good shot at Cornell or Vassar. They are both very competitive, but you have a shot.

The following figures are the SAT scores of admitted freshmen for 2005-6, at the 25th and 75th percentile. I believe its from when the SAT was just 2 parts.
Cornell: 1290-1480
Vassar: 1340-1450
If you add your best and worst score you get 1430.

Of course if you go out of state, you don't get the Hope scholarship.

If you're thinking of Cornell and Vassar, you also have to apply to safety schools. Its a very competitive college process this year.

Answer 2

I think you could get into Vanderbilt. I was there for a summer program, and it is a wonderful school. Btw, my SAT reading and writing scores don't even compare to yours. Everything else is pretty similar.

APs and those summer activities will help distinguish you from the rest. It shows that you're challenging yourself, which always gives you points. Passing the exams will be even better.

I really think you might have a chance of getting into a really good school. All you have to lose is a little bit of money for those application fees, but go ahead and apply. If you get accepted, it can make a huge difference in your life.

Don't let other people drag you down because then all you have is regret. Try, fail or succeed, and at least know you tried!

Answer 3

You have done awesome. I really believe you can get accepted into pretty much any of the schools you listed. Have you considered which program you are interested in studying? Cornell and Vandy are great schools; just make sure there is not a better school for your interest. With your record you should be pretty selective.

One thing you didn't mention is whether you can afford these different choices. Vandy is very expensive. If you can get a full scholarship or have very rich parents then go for it. You can likely get a full ride at other schools.

Answer 4

Hi, I have two friends who had similar stats to yours when they graduated. One of them goes to Yale and the other goes to Duke. I see that you were in the TIP program, that is a plus for getting into Duke. I graduated in '06. I got into GA Tech, Mercer, and Jacksonville State and I only had a 3.3, but I also didn't get int UGA and almost all of my friends did. I pretty much know you can do better. I see that you are in Art and Choir. Try to get a scholarship at the schools you apply to. The arts is something very big to prestigious schools and that will make them put down someone else's application and look at yours. I have another friend who got a full scholaship to Mercer from the choir BEFORE she was officially accepted. I am a big band person. The band teacher at GC&SU told me that if I wanted to go to that school, audition for band and he would get me in. I'm not about college level tennis, but you should look into that too. Sports can get you full scholarships, partial scholarships, dorm waivers, stipends, and basically anything you can think of. You didn't mention what you are planning to major in. If you are majoring in something that is rather rare, you have a better chance of getting in than if you are a business major because that is so popular. If you don't know what you want to major in yet, put down something obscure and change it when you figureit out. I hope this helps and feel free to email if you have any questions!

Answer 5

Hi, my name is Sandy and I would like to say congrats on all your academic successes. As someone that has been around and met a lot of people, college is what you make of it. If a top school is what you want, go for it. Can u imagine not trying and then regretting it for the rest of your life. Now that would suck.

Take a chance cause life is what you make of it. How many people have ivy league degrees that we know nothing about. How many people have hs diplomas and have plenty of money in the bank. Take your degree in whatever it may be and do something positive, something you want to do and something that will leave a lasting impression on your kids one day.

Good luck and best wishes.

PoeticButterfly

Answer 6

You're a senior right? Anyways I think that you have a good chance of going to Cornell (my cousin goes there and she has statistics that are as good as yours). You are/was involved in alot of activities and have good grades which shows your well-balancedness.
You should apply for Cornell or other top schools. Don't let your mom drag your dreams down. I want to go to Rice, but my parents think I can only make it to Austin College or public texas schools. I don't know what will happen in the my future but I can see that you will succeed at your dream school. =)

Answer 7

You never will know if you don't try and apply to your dream schools or at least contact them.

The worst thing they can do is not accept you but if you don't at least try then you will have that question in the back of your head for the rest of your life, that if you did have a chance to get in.

Answer 8

With an application like that, you should be able to get into ANY school in the country. Really, the sky is the limit. And in any case, you should apply to every school you think you would like to attend. It's always better to be told you didn't get in than to regret never applying, know what I mean? What do you think you want to do with your life?

Answer 9

I you want to get in to a college you should be able to get into anyone you want to in the world girlie.That amazing. You should be extremely proud of yourself. Congrats. Many people would love to have the stuff you do. Its incredible. I am really impressed