I am cooked?Answered
Hello, I am currently a junior and I don't think I will make it into my dream schools. My top 3 are UCLA,NYU,and USC. Every time I look at college vine it feels like I have no chance to get in :(. I have a 3.7 gpa in the top 10% in my class and have mostly average ec besides debate which I am great at. I am scared if I don't do outstanding on my ACT/SAT there is no chance and I'll just join the army. Am I really that cooked?
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3 answers
Stop. You need to be positive. Colleges do not just look at numbers; they look at you as a person, but also your essay too. Just work on getting good grades and continue being the 10% you should have a good shot. Just take a deep breath and do not think negatively!
Nah you’re not cooked at all. A 3.7 in the top 10% is solid, and debate is actually a strong EC if you’ve got big achievements there. Test scores can help, but schools like NYU and UCLA are test-optional now, so strong essays + showing your debate impact can really carry you. Dream schools are always a reach for everyone, so make a balanced list (some matches/safeties you’d still be happy at). You’re definitely not “army or bust” — you’ve got good options.
You are absolutely not cooked. A 3.7 GPA in the top 10% in your class is already and strong start but remember, while it is not Ivy level, colleges also look past numbers. Your success in debate is something to start off of, and I think that you should build your application around that. Also about the SAT/ACT, you should aim for at least a 1500 and a 33 to even get glanced at by top tier colleges. Good luck!
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You’re fine. Your grades and things are good, and you don’t need a lot of extracurriculars, just do good in what you have. And if you don’t make it into your dream schools, your academics could give you significant scholarships at public schools with high acceptance rates, and you would still receive a quality education. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.