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Scared I won’t get into any good colleges?

My mom went to Harvard and WashU and expects me to go to a really good school as well. However, in 8th grade I took 4 high school classes (will show up on my transcript) and I received one A-, one B+, and two Bs. All of my high school classes, however, have been As or A+s in honors or AP classes (my GPA is 4.57). Also, due to covid, I could only take the SAT once and got a 1490. Plus, my extracurriculars are kind of weak since I’ve had to work 2 jobs and other than volunteering for a few years, playing guitar, and being a co-President of a club I haven’t been dedicated to a whole lot.

Does anyone think I could get into a college with an acceptance rate of 20% or lower?? 

12 Answers

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  • 8 months ago

    i can understand why you're scared and worried, with that many B's in the 8th grade youll be lucky to get into a school with a 80% acceptance rate

  • 8 months ago

    If you get into a state college, you should rejoice, because they tend to be exceptional deals with higher returns on investment than many expensive colleges.  I did all state colleges for my many degrees and I make far more money than my ivy league going friends.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    8 months ago

    You aren't, or at least shouldn't be, in competition with your mom.  As long as you are accepted into a reputable college or university, and as long as you work hard in your classes, you will succeed in reaching your goals, whatever they might be.

  • 8 months ago

    It's very clear to me at least that this question is not a genuine request for help, but an opportunity to boast about how clever you are as well as public-spirited.

    I never saw a clearer case of "Look at me! Aren't I wonderful?"

  • John
    Lv 6
    8 months ago

    The other answers regarding your qualifications are correct, so allow me to address your concerns from a different angle.  

    Take some time to examine your feelings.  Particularly, are you afraid you won't get into a good college, or are you afraid you won't get into a college your mother thinks is good enough?  Some parents, either intentionally or unintentionally, put a great deal of pressure on their children to get into very selective schools.  That can cause a great deal of stress and other negative emotions.  

    If some of your anxiety is indeed sourced in your mother's expectations, perhaps you should try to talk to her about it. Be sure to keep any such discussion on a even level, so it doesn't turn into a shouting match. If you don't think that will work, some counseling might be in order.  

  • 8 months ago

    Yes, I think you could get into a college with an acceptance rate of 20% or lower.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 months ago

    I think you can get into a lot of great schools. Plus, an SAT score of 1410 puts you in the 95th percentile. While I can't guarantee you'll get into a certain specific school, I think schools with low acceptance rates will at least seriously consider you, and probably admit you all. However, you need to go to the college you want to go to, as it is your life, not hers.

  • 9 months ago

    Stop the drama. Your academics are fine. Start using your unweighted GPA on a 0-4 scale -- university admissions staff don't care about your weighted GPA.  There are over 3,000 4-year colleges and universities in the U.S. There are probably 100-150 that have an admissions rate of 20% of below.  There are a couple of hundred absolutely great universities that you could get into.  Harvard isn't likely, nor are those schools that have a super low admission rates.  That doesn't mean you can't get into a good school.

    Understand that "good" for you is not the same as it was for you mother or for anyone else.  Your ability to do well in college is based on finding a school that fits you both as a person and a student.  If there is one school, like Harvard, that you really want to try for and would go there without any regret, apply Early Decision to that school.  You just have to be prepared for rejection.  Narrow your search 5-6 schools where your unweighted GPA and SAT are at or above the average for admitted students that also fit your criteria in terms of things like size, cost, surrounding town, housing options, academic rigor, and campus culture.  

    Just a note...if you struggle with feeling "good enough," you may not want to go to a super competitive school.  Great students who find themselves at the bottom of there class as schools like Harvard or Davidson often lose confidence and drop their career dreams compared to equally good students who choose a slightly less competitive university where they are at a top of their class. (read Malcom Gladwell's David and Goliath).

  • fcas80
    Lv 7
    9 months ago

    You are doing fine.  There are many really good colleges, and you should meet with your college advisor to find some for you.

  • drip
    Lv 7
    9 months ago

    Most universities will want your unweighted cumulative gpa. 

    Working two jobs should be listed in your college applications. 

    What universities in particular are you looking at?

    Apply to 3-6 schools. Make sure at least one is a safety schools for you. 

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