What are my chances and should I consider other schools? I want direct admit and a big school atmosphere for sports and social - Not submitting test scores. 3.98 GPA unweighted/ 4.2 weighted, on state student board, class officer multiple years, 3 sport athlete, participant in numerous school clubs, lots of volunteer hours (120+), 8 APs, multiple honors classes
To preface this, don't take my word as final. I'm answering this mostly off of my own prior research as a prospective Business major, but it'll be up to you to decide to take my words to heart or not. Without an SAT, some of these are going to be a bit hard, but that's what reaches are for. With that said, let's get cracking here...
UNC: Depends. If you're in-state, you're good. If not, don't expect much.
UVA: A top business school, don't expect guaranteed without an SAT score, but your other stats seem to be on-par if not better, so keep a healthy dose of hope for it.
VA Tech: You're good here. Acceptance rate is much higher and your stats are definitely above average.
BC: Again, don't expect it, don't not expect it.
BU: You MIGHT have a better chance here than BC and around similar to UVA, especially with those extracurriculars and that GPA. Lower acceptance rate, though.
WI: Has more admits without a test score attached than otherwise. Your stats should get you into it for sure.
MI: No idea. Your extracurriculars will carry here, and make sure you've got a good essay. Probably similar to UVA and BU.
MN: Same as WI, but even better chance to get into. I'd expect you to get into this one too.
IL: Harder than MN and WI, easier than MI and UVA. Your extracurriculars will be weighed more heavily against your major here, but it shouldn't be too much an issue.
IN: Basically guaranteed. 80% acceptance rate and not as competitive in most stats than the other schools here.
Villanova: Lots of test-optionals, but very competitive and your stats may be a bit closer to the average. Somewhere between IL and UVA.
Penn: I'm gonna assume this means Penn State, because I'm pretty sure UPenn is reinstating required test scores this year. You should be able to get into Penn State with your stats, it'll be around MN and WI in chances.
Alright... For my recommendations, UMD is test-optional and has a direct admit. It'll probably be around IL in terms of chances. I also wouldn't discount Penn State if you had meant UPenn (though it doesn't have direct admit...) And, I'd take a look into U Arizona or U Iowa if you really need some safeties. They aren't as good as the ones you're already applying to, but they're still highly ranked and regarded so they should be good backups!
And again, take this all with a grain of salt. It's just my opinion at the end of the day, after all. Good luck! :D
Edit:
Here's a more concise ranking of difficulty with UNC being the hardest. (Includes my recommendations.) And again, this is a more pessimistic outlook than might be the reality. I don't want to overestimate, so take this with a grain of salt.
- UNC (8% out of state acceptance rate.)
- BU (11% acceptance rate. Very competitive, but you've got good stats.)
- BC (16% acceptance rate. May or may not be easier than BU.)
- MI (18% acceptance rate. Your extracurriculars will be very useful here, be prepared to create a portfolio for the application.)
- UVA (17% acceptance rate. You seem to be about on-par here, though I don't have enough to be certain.)
- Villanova (25% acceptance rate. Maybe a hard-target, slightly above par?)
- UMD (35% OOS acceptance rate. Competitive but reasonable, especially with your stats.)
- Penn State (~45% OOS acceptance rate. Completely automated this year, so no idea what chances will be.)
- IL (44% acceptance rate. You should be able to get into this one, especially with your stats. Some chance of denial.)
- WI (~45% acceptance rate. Basically what I said for IL.)
- Arizona (~41% OOS acceptance rate, but your stats basically guarantee it.)
- VA Tech (~50% OOS acceptance rate. You're pretty much guaranteed this one unless something goes horribly wrong.)
- MN (71% acceptance rate. Probably around 50% OOS. You're getting into this one.)
- IN (~80% acceptance rate. Definitely getting in.)
- Iowa (86% acceptance rate. Definitely getting in.)
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