African American's Chances at the Ivies?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm an African American in California, where everyone is either white or Hispanic. Where I'm from I'm an anomoly, so everyone is pushoing for me to go somewhere fantastic. I'm freaking out, though, because I see everyone elses stuff and all my stuff just fades by comparison. Check me out and tell me what chances I've got. Be cruel if necessary; I can take it.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.83 (weighted), 3.73 (unweighted)
Class Rank: 27 out of 358, Top 8% (w); 36 out of 358, just below top 10%(un)
SAT Reasoning: Math 650, Reading 710, Writing 670; total 2030 (retaking in December)
SAT Subjects: Literature 730, US History 750, Physics 650 (had a horrible teacher), took Math II in November
ECs:
Superior Court internship (worked with a judge, clerk, reporter and assistant DA)
Rogers Kids Reading Klub (charitable organization that collects and distributes books to local elementary schools and childrens shelters)
American Legion Boys State delegate
National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalist
National Honor Society
Screen Actors Guild Award winner (Sideways)
Senior Class Treasurer
School Chamber Choir member
Church Choir member (and active in many other areas)
Soccer and Track (varsity junior and senior year)
Recommendations: Superior court justice, Marks House administrator (shelter for abused women and their children), school dean, math department chair
Colleges of choice: Harvard, Cornell, MIT, Columbia, Morehouse, USC, UC Berkeley, Stanford.</p>

<p>Be honest. Do you think I'm shooting for the stars? Do I have a shot?</p>

2

<p>I think your ethnicity will help you out, but apply to some schools that would be a sure safety or match just in case.</p>

3

<p>Wait, what? SAG award? Explain, please!</p>

4

<p>I had a small speaking role in Sideways, and the movie won like mondo awards. The SAG award was for best performance by a cast, and since my role was speaking, I got the award. So technically I'm a professional actor.</p>

5

<p>bump...........</p>

6

<p>You have a decent shot at some good schools. If I were you I would apply to more schools than fewer, including some mid-high ones, not just high-end and state schools. They might go after you strongly.</p>

7

<p>Hey, that's cool! But you should explain that...'cuz, you know, it might look a little suspicious if you just put "SAG Award." :)</p>

8

<p>MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are pretty big reaches. MIT wants kids with a science and math focus, which you don't have, and they will focus on that Physics score. Your scores and rank are below the average for Stanford and Harvard.</p>

9

<p>I have taken AP Calculus AB and got a 3 on the test. I'm a grade ahead of most students at my school in math, and my grades in both math and science have always been A-/B+, except for last year in physics. As for science, I'm not particularly strong because I've never connected with a particular branch (except physics, which, again, don't get me started). I've also taken AP US History (got a 4) and took AP Physics (didn't take the test), and am taking AP English and AP Chemistry.</p>