A Chance of a Lifetime: Headed in the right direction?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Background Information
-Asian male (specifically, Korean)
-PA resident
-Attends a public school
-First generation college student (parents immigrants from Korea)
-Uncle/aunt of immediate family went to Penn; uncle also went to Univ. of Chicago (works for Johnson and Johnson as advertising medicine)</p>

<p>GPA and SAT/ACT scores
ACT: Taken (waiting for score; hoping at least 28); will be taken another time with preparation done)
HS cumulative GPA: 3.5 (Freshman GPA was low because of depression, finding out who I was at the time--will emphasize on this in college essay; upwards trend since then and have maintained; taken leadership in school)
-Sophomore: 4.0, 4.0, 4.0, 3.9; Honors English
-Junior (this year): 3.81, 3.86; AP Euro, AP English, Honors Spanish, Honors Chemistry
-Senior: To be determined the next year... </p>

<p>School Activities
1. Tennis (on high school team since 9th grade; captain of JV squad in 10h; I think I'll make varsity this year--not really important to me for varsity because I'd prefer leadership over a level increase; although, I'm almost positive that I will make varsity)
2. Key Club (one of the officers)
3. Student Council
4. Tech Crew
5. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
6. Played ice hockey on HS team (2 years)
<em>All of the EC that I have done are 'selective', meaning that they are ECs that people don't generally sign up for right away--Key club being an exception to this rule because I applied for an officer position last summer and got the position; made sure to make ECs stand out and emphasize on dedication and eagerness to work hard</em></p>

<p>Volunteer Work
1. Hospital Teen Volunteer (my passion lies here; I currently have ~225 hours and 450 hours is to be eligible for the scholarship that I believe is around $2,000)
<em>I will be sure to emphasize on the lessons that I have learned from volunteering at my hospital. The people that I have met; the things that I have seen; the lessons that I have learned all contributes to molding me from my "past life" (depressed, inactive, etc.) to an individual who takes active role and determined. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't like this in grade school and grades before coming to 9th grade. Everything was just hitting me in 9th grade due to personal issues</em></p>

<p>Special Nominations/Programs or Awards
1. Won two consecutive "Most Improved Awards" on my HS ice hockey team
2. Tennis award in sophomore year for “Most outstanding doubles player”
<em>I can discuss these in college essay to show that it is never too late to start anything and show that I am a hard working, dedicated individual; potential</em></p>

<p>Additional Notes
-Freshmen Year was not as strong as it could have been; faced depression and many other issues
-Intrapersonal individual for the most part
-Interested in Biology and/or Business field (Possibly do Biology then MBA); uncertain about Chemistry now (for pharmacy)
-Diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder)--will emphasize on this and discuss how I overcame this, including many other issues
-May take duel enrollment classes next year as senior (which are after school and meet once a week; options are mandarin chinese or philosophy for me-- these gives college credits in state of PA and HS credit)--shows that I mean "business" when it comes to dedication
-Somewhat interested in what my uncle does, in which he advertises medication for Johnson and Johnson, Inc.; or Biochemistry (scientist) in the United States Marine Corps or miitary
-Hard-working parents and I would consider my family to be lower middle-class citizens in terms of income. Both of my parents have only achieved a high school diploma in South Korea and when coming to the U.S., they did not have many options. My mother was forced to work with parents in laundry business, while other sisters and brother went off to college (Two UPenn grads, a Drexel grad, and a Temple grad--simultaneously). A year or so after I was born, my parents bought off a store from the original owner of a store in North Philadelphia; people all around know of my parents and appreciate them because they are the only convenience store around and is a heart-warming place to be because my mother and father influenced their lives (Will discuss these in college essay)</p>

<p>Colleges that I am interested in
Top three choices
1. Boston College
2. Boston University
3. Villanova University</p>

<p>Runner ups: United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy at West Point</p>

<p>The following are in no specific order:
-Penn State UP
-University of Chicago
-University of Pennsylvania
-James Madison University
-UCLA
-UC San Diego
-Case Western Reserve University
-Clemson University
-UCONN
-University of Delaware
-Drexel University
-George Washington University
-University of Washington
-Georgia Tech.
-University of Georgia
-Haverford College
-Lehigh University
-University of Rochester
-Rutgers New Brunswick
-University of Scranton
-Syracuse University
-Temple University
-University of Virginia</p>

<p>I'm a very motivated individual ever since 9th grade, which set a tone for the rest of my high school career. I will do my best to convince admissions in college essay and interview to convince admissions that I am a strong applicant that has the potential to succeed. This is all in despite of the somewhat low GPA because of freshman year (due to depression, etc.). As for the SAT/ACT scores, I'm waiting for my ACT score and afterwards, I'll be taking the test again. The next time I do take the test, I'll actually have done preparation, which I will be begin by using Barrons and/or Princeton Reviews ACT preparation books. Every other day or so, I'll be going to the local library (to block out distractions) after school and study there for a couple of hours. </p>

<p>All in all, I'm eager to learn more and willing to work diligently to reach that goal. What are you thoughts on my chances?</p>

2

<p>Thank you for chancing me! Now I will return the favor</p>

<p>My sister overall wasn't as good of an applicant as you, in my opinion and she got into Boston University, I'd bet my life you could get in there. Overall you seem like a solid, solid applicant, but remember, alot of brilliant, talented people are turned down by colleges every year!</p>

<p>You have a good hook with your ADD, I don't have numbers for people who have disorders, but I imagine they can't be incredibly high. University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, University of Chicago, George Washington University, and Georgia tech, are high reaches for you. Everything else seems within a match/reach, or in.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

3

<p>Poseidenj,
I appreciate the honest opinion. I wanted to point out one college in particular--University of Chicago. My aunt told me that if you have x number of AP courses and an excellent college essay, then you have a good chance of getting in. Do you know off the top of your head how many AP courses is a solid number for University of Chicago?</p>

4

<p>Sorry, I don't know too much about chicago, but I'd imagine you'd need to be elligable for an "AP scholar". My school only has IB, so I'm rather uninformed for AP information.</p>

5

<p>Ah--I see.
Since there is little activity going on, do you care to explain in further details why you think University of Pennsylvania, UCLA, University of Chicago, George Washington University, and Georgia tech, are high reaches for me?</p>

6

<p>Well your GPA seems a but low for all of those, and you don't show your SAT, ACT, and SAT 2 tests, which are big factors :p And while your extras curriculars are great, and don't let anyone tell you differently, they aren't incredibly unique to such schools. But yes, without posting an SAT, ACT, and SAT 2 scores, and your senior semester 1 GPAs, I can't judge you fully. But remember, you CAN be below the schools average GPA, SAT score, etc, and still get in, an average has to have people below that score.</p>

<p>And even then, I'm not a dean of admissions! I don't think anyone on college confidential is :p However, we can logically assess and criticially think these situations, but they aren't indefinete. It really comes down to your test scores, and your essay, which IS a huge deciding factor. I hope you get into one of your choice schools. I don't know everything my sister did, but I have confidence you can get into Boston U! Now we just get through this waiting game....</p>

7

<p>Poseidenj,
I'm thinking of adjusting my attention geared more towards the United States Naval Academy and United States Military Academy at West Point. Am I a good candidate for the schools? I know dedication is a huge factor into leadership and I'm sure that I can write a decent college essay that will critically assess points in my life that were lows and highs, specifically the lows and how I overcame them (and still struggling with nonetheless).</p>

<p>If it doesn't hurt to ask, what other schools did your sister apply to? Does it include Boston College? Could you share whether she ED'd, visited campuses, strong recommendation, or wrote a strong essay?</p>

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<p>Ok you want to know about the service academies here the deal with them, they will be a completely different experience than any other college in america, except for VMI the citadel etc., if you want to serve your country as an officer in you choosen branch they are a phenomal oppourtunity and will create a great leader and combat officer, however, if you want to go there because it is free, or because its prestigous it is not for you. You will not have the drive to make it through and you will be unhappy while there and even more unhappy while serving for the madatory 5 years after graduation. The way you introduced the academies as an alternative would lead me to believe that you have no put in the thought nessecary to be sucessful at a service academy. </p>

<p>Bet besides for that you look like a fairly good applicant, nothing is ever clear sut with the service academies and so no one can say yes or no to you except the admissions office. If you want to pursue them you should apply to their respective summer programs within the next few weeks at the latest as most people have already appplied, and you need to start watching your senators and congressperson's page to ensure that you apply for a nomination when it opens up</p>

<p>Another Question for you are you currently taking medication for your ADD?</p>

9

<p>Cast,</p>

<p>You do not mention taking any science or math classes in the list of AP/honors classes. The service academies are all math and science oriented. Even English and history majors are granted Batchelor of Science degrees, and they all take several semesters of calculus, physics, chemistry, and (at USNA) at least one semester of intro to electrical engineering.</p>

<p>Your mention of USNA and USMA appear as afterthoughts, because they weren't in the first twenty or so schools that you listed. I would encourage you to do some research at their web sites (for instance, United</a> States Naval Academy - Home Page), because the service academies are very different places than all the other colleges you have listed.</p>

10

<p>I doubt talking about your ADD will help on your PS because a lot of people claim to have it when they don't (for the study advantages and drugs.) I'm not saying you are lying, and it definitely won't hurt your application. Consider this scenario. It is a condition that is fairly common, and you'll be out gunned by people with worse conditions. What if someone who was paralyzed wrote about that? Your struggle would look like nothing in comparison. I think you could write one about your parents and volunteer work that is significantly more unique. </p>

<p>I think you have a good chance at a lot of those schools. You'll get into BU and Villanova. BC...I can't say for sure but you have a good shot. I am going to assume you aren't going to apply to the service academies. I am also going to hope that you don't apply to all of these schools. </p>

<p>I honestly don't know why these schools are on your list, you are way over-qualified:
-James Madison University
-Clemson University
-Drexel University
-University of Scranton
-Temple University
-UCONN</p>

11

<p>I agree with most of these other assessments, particularly navalacdmyhpfl. He's right, if you are not fully committed to servign in the military, they wil be absolute hell for you. But they are great schools if you want to pursue the military. And there's no getting out of the required service afterwards, with the exception that you have the potential to be a famous pro athlete, then they'll just let you go around the country speaking on behalf of the military(you accomplish more for them doing that than being in combat.) Euler321 obviously has no clue about Clemson though. Personally, I probably won't go there, but it's as selective as any of those schools you listed(with the exceptions of Pennsylvania, UCLA, and GT.) I have a friend who has a 3.7 unweighted GPA(4.4 weighted) who has a 1350 on the SAT and ecs just like yours. She got rejected from Clemson and she's in state. So it'd probably be a low reach for you as well. And you can forget about Clemsons honors college(no offense) because they want a 1400 and for you to be in the top 3% of your class. Thats just to be in the consideration. They only accept 250 people out of like 10,000 applicants every year.</p>

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<p>Hey there, so you're also a volunteer at hospitals?</p>

<p>Amazing</p>

13

<p>navalacdmyhpfl,
Yes, I have been taking medicine for ADD since 3rd grade.</p>

<p>2012mom?,
They are schools as "backup" because I am still in progress of researching. I've spent a couple of hours researching, but I have yet to place the schools in my top because I want to be fully confident. Other then that, they are both schools that I am most likely having as top choice.</p>

<p>Euler321,
I've been struggling with ADD for the past 10 or so years. I was placed in a special program or something in elementary school and have done counseling. As well, I have doctor forms that have me with prescription of the medicine I take. I'm sure you can't lie about that.</p>

14

<p>Cast - I'm not saying that you are lying, I'm just saying that you should talk about your parents. Being 1st gen college gives you an admissions advantage, having ADD doesn't.</p>

<p>Blaken91 - It is nice that you have one story of someone who got rejected from clemson who had good stats. I'm sure everyone on this board can name someone who had great stats and got rejected from a school they probably should have gotten into. Your friend probably should have gotten in. Unless it was for the money, I don't even know why she would apply there. I don't understand why Cast would apply to clemson when he could get in-state tuition to Penn State which is a much better school and has better name recognition.</p>

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<p>"I'm not saying that you are lying, I'm just saying that you should talk about your parents. Being 1st gen college gives you an admissions advantage, having ADD doesn't."</p>

<p>Actually, this is a pretty big deal. To overcome a disadvantage that potentially affects schoolwork, social skills, etc. for every person that has ADD is a big deal.</p>

16

<p>Blaken I think that you are exagerating Clemson's selectivity. That person probably had a warning sign (An F, Mental Problems, Disciplinary Problems, etc). It is not very selective overall. Not that it isn't a great school, it just isn't as hard as you make it out to be.</p>

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<p>SmallcollegesFTW, she actually doesnt have any warnign signs at all. And Euler, I could give you many other examples but that was the first to come into my mind. Clemson is not extrememly selective, but they do only admit like 25% of out of state applicants. Thats as selective as NYU, Penn, or William and Mary. And their honors college is extremely selective. The school itself might not be a low reach for him, but it's not an in. And Calhoun Honors college is a reach. They want you to be in the top 3% of your class and to have a 1400 to be competitive. And I assumed this guy would want to go to the honors college.</p>

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<p>Blaken91 -
I think you mean that they admitt up to 25% of their incoming class from out of state. That is what just about every public school does. When I was applying to school that is what I found at least. You're right, the honors colleges at public schools are generally very selective. I wouldn't say the honors college is an in for him, it will probably come down to how prestigous his high school is.</p>

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<p>Cast,</p>

<p>To receive an appointment to a service academy, you'll have to be off ADD meds for 1 year prior to taking your medical exam. Admissions will begin asking qualified candidates to schedule appointments for physicals during the summer before senior year. You will find quite a bit of additional information here.
<a href="http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>look man here's how i see it no bs'ing just straight from the heart, you want to make it in USNA or USMA </p>

<p>number 1 you have to know that it is the right thing for you, and you have to want to be a warrior and defender of our great country</p>

<p>number 2 when you read all these people myself included saying you shouldnt go there, you dont have what it takes, or whatever else people say to you to get you to not try for it, you have to look at that and remember what they said and then go prove them wrong - but again only if it is because you want to be a leader in a combat profession not because you want to be a marine corps scientist like you were talking about earlier cause if thats all you want man you are looking at this the complete wrong way</p>