What are my chances for college (Northwestern, Boston College, Georgetown, etc)

Question

I really messed up my freshman year and got a 3.1 GPA.

I worked harder my sophomore year and got a 3.6 GPA, bringing my overall GPA up to a 3.4, but I know that's not good enough.

Junior year I am taking AP classes and am getting really serious about school.. I am hoping to get a 3.9 - 4.0 junior year, which should probably bring me up to about a 3.7? (I think..)

And I'd also get those good grades senior year.

I'm on the girls JV tennis team at my school, and also the boy's varsity golf team. All of the colleges I'm looking at have Div I women's golf teams and I'm hoping to get a scholarship for that. I just started golf this year but have improved extremely fast and am already shooting scores in the 80s which many college teams post.

I'm also in the Interact (community service) Club, my church's youth group, and I submit pieces to my schools literary magazine

I've won several international and national writing contests and I hope to win more

I get A s in english every quarter

I'm hoping to be a journalism or english major in college

I've already taken the SATs for a couple years for practice..in 7th grade I got the highest score in the state on verbal... and on the new SAT I got a 760 critical reading, 790 writing, and 630 math. i got a perfect score on the essay and in my various practice tests I've been projected to get a 800 next time I take the writing section because I got perfect scores on the prac tests..

I got the 99th percentile overall on the PSAT

I'm just afraid my low GPA will bring me down, what do you think my chances are? I don't want to go to URI or anything.

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Hi, friend!  Wow, you sound like you are really serious about getting into a good school!  First, you should check out what the requirements are for general admission to the schools you would like to attend.  Most schools like Northwestern and other Ivies typically like at least a 3.5.  However, don't panic if they would, ideally, like a higher score.  Universities also put a lot of emphasis on social development, which translates to the question- how are your extracurriculars?  You sound like a very well-rounded young lady, so I can't really imagine that you wouldn't at least be admitted to Georgetown, etc.  If I were you, I focus on what scholarships these places could offer me!  You sound like you are more than on the right path.  Keep it up! :)

Answer 2

You can use edsoup.Just sign up. Let them find you.It's easy and free.

Answer 3

It looks like you should be able to get into BC. Northwestern and Georgetown might be a little more difficult, but if you write an outstanding essay and they realize you are a serious student who is motivated then you might be able to get in. It just depends on who they are looking for. You could be more qualified then another student who does get in, so if you don't get in don't let that get you down.

Also, you said you don't want to go to URI. If you can get a centennial scholarship to URI and go for free it really isn't a bad deal. Then you can use the money you saved with the scholarship to go to a top notch graduate school. Just something to think about...

Answer 4

It really will depend on the overall picture the colleges see on your transcript. Does it paint you as a slacker? Were there AP or other advanced classes you could have taken the first 2 year but didn't? Did you get bad grades in humanities classes where your scores suggest you are talented?

Your GPA is the best predictor of college performance. There are many kids, labled underachievers, that have low GPA's and high scores. The top colleges don't accept them without a hook. Golf may be your hook, but honestly, you would have to be extraordinarily unusual to score a golf scholarship after playing just a short time. Have you scored that 80 consistantly on different courses?

Colleges aren't being that forgiving now because their numbers of applications are going through the roof. A school like BC where you would have had no problem 4 years ago is suddenly a school of choice for those just missing the ivies. Georgetown and NU have been that for some time.

Throw in the applications, you never know. But if you don't get in, keep in mind you're an excellent candidate for a transfer with your high SAT scores.

Answer 5

With the rate youre going, you should have no problem with Boston College.  Georgetown is more competitive and Northwestern-- not an Ivy school as indicated by the previous poster-- but almost as rigorous as Ivies.  You want to take AP and Honors courses and take the AP exams.  My gpa was similar to yours (years ago) before weighing the classes, but AP classes tremendously boosted my gpa.  Freshmen year is not counted as severely as sophomore and junior years and schools factor in progression.  So dont worry about the freshman grades.  

  You are very well-rounded.  What I would suggest for the next two years focus on a few activities.  Youre going to be facing a tougher school workload, so its a good idea to choose a few extracurriculars (golf, writing, volunteer, etc) and maintain your attention on academics.  Top schools such as Ivies and Northwestern Univ want to see that you have a clear direction and not just an impressive resume/application.  Your SAT scores are excellent.  Do well in your junior and sophomore AP/honors classes, and you will be in a fine position.

  

Answer 6

Overall, you are an exceptionally well-rounded student. This will be very appealing to all colleges. Also, your SAT scores are very high. So, I don't think that your GPA will be muck of a problem. Most universities are not solely looking at students' GPAs; they are looking for well-rounded students with high SAT scores, like you. If you can do well in your AP classes, you should be fine.

Here are some stats for you.

Boston College

Avg Critical Reading: 610-700

Avg Math: 630-720

Avg Writing: 620-710

Georgetown

Avg Critical Reading: 650-750

Avg Math: 650-740

Avg Writing: N/A

Also, if you feel like your GPA is still not quite what they are looking for, do some extra community service.

I'm not sure which "Northwestern" you are referring to though.

Hope I helped!