I’m in the top 20% of my class which is one of the top 400 high schools in the United States. I am white, but a first generation student. My Mom only makes $40,000 a year as a secretary at two different jobs so I work two jobs ( 20-25 hours per week; one at a Dermatology Office and the other at a Frozen Yogurt Shoppe) to pay for my Car, Gas, SATs, AP Tests, Clothes, food most of the time ( I don’t spend much time at home, My Step Dad is verbally abusive and has been trying to kick me out of the house since I called the police on him). I am in the top audition choir and drama class and I’ve been apart of each for all 4 year. I’m the only student to have participate in every show since my freshmen year ( 12 in total so far) and I’m usually casted in one of the bigger parts yet never the LEAD lead (it’s okay 
). I’ve spent at least 1200 hours on shows and 2,000 hours on choir. My Choir travels internationally every year, so far I’ve been to Canada, Paris, London, and this year we will go to Rio de Janiero in Brazil. I pay for this entirely by fund raising and being my teachers assistant during my free period and sometimes from my paycheck. We also perform around 60 community concerts during December (FINALS ). I am also an AP Scholar and have taken 6 APs so far and 3 Honors. I use to be in the top 10% but my work schedule combined with my problems at home as well as my school schedule caused a big slip in my grade, but I’m still OK with it. I know I’ll have good letters of rec and my I’m a fairly decent writer and I think my topics are pretty unique and I’ve gotten really positive responses from my teachers who’ve read them. For volunteer work, I’ve raised almost $3,000.00 with my best friend for AIDS Walk in SF buy selling cookies door to door. I’m also a peer tutor at my school. I’ve also been worked on a project with the Eagles Federation and Target to give underprivileged kids a $150 shopping spree at Target for Christmas. I helped fundraise the money and served the biligual liason for the Spanish speaking families. I’m also proficient in Portuguese and I’m currently learning Italian.
BUT
I got a 1660 on my SAT. I just took it for the first time because I had no idea when I was suppose to take it and I BOMBED.
I just applied for a scholarship for a prep class for the December SAT (it’s OK with the schools I’m applying too.) so hopefully it will help.
Am I screwed for college?
My SAT IS are fantastic either
I have a 690 in US History
750 in Biology
and I’m taking the Math one in a week.
( But NYU lets you combine 3 SAT IIs as your SAT so I think I’ll be OK for that)
I am applying to Boston University, UC Santa Barbara, USC, NYU, George Washington U, Barnard College, UCLA, Berkeley, and Columbia University (I know it’s a stretch but it’s my dream and I’ll kick myself later if I don’t apply, even though I’ll probably not get in)
I really want to major in International Business or Economics with possibly a minor in Musical Theater. ( I know weird, I might change my mind later but I’m really interested in both).
I’m really worried my low SATs are going to screw up my chances. I’ve worked really hard to get into a good college and now I’m freaked out.
my SAT II isn’t fantastic either *
I use to have a 4.5 but now i have a 4.25. ( I slipped Junior year, lots of stress and family problems but everyone has them, mine are bad but I’m sure I’m not the only one).
I live in the Silicon Valley, it’s really hard to make a living here but we moved here after my parents divorced because my Grandparents lived nearby. I have to spend the night at their house a lot because of my step dad. No I’m not going to go into detail about what he has done online. But please be honest, but don’t be rude.
