<p>So here's the deal: I moved in the middle of my sophomore year, and let me say that I kind of let my GPA go by the wayside. I thought I was going to junior college. I have a 3.13, which I hoping to bring up at least a couple of points this semester because I have two APs and straight A's so far. I have a really wierd background (my parents belonged to a philosophy school/cult until i was eleven years old), my parents are blue collar, I'm really talented in the visual arts (I'm sending a supplement), I know I could write a knockout essay, I've won four essay contests, and I know that both my recommendations would be excellent. I wrote for my local newspaperas a high school columnist, I was ain a baroque opera (Dido and Aeneas) with professional singers my sophomore year (one the most dazzling experiences of my life), co-wrote two showcases (big-deal talent shows with storylines that my old school, an arts school, put on twice a year), and co-directed one. If I appealed my situation, did well on my interview, and really emphasized the upward trend in terms of academics, do you think I could have a chance at:</p>
<p>Wellesley
University of Chicago
Dartmouth (I've looked at their stats, and their GPAs range all the way to 1.3)</p>
<p>Those are my quantum-leap reaches. I've got other choices. I was also wondering: does anybody know anything about Brown in terms of accepting high risk applicants with more-than-interesting/wierd backrgrounds? And, finally, am I just crazy?</p>
<p>Hmm...you sound like an interesting person. Here's the thing, the reason the GPAs range all the way to 1.3 at Darthmouth is that the people who got in with 1.3 (probably just one person) had some crazy hook. Also, interviews don't mean anything in the admissions process. They don't really help you, but they can hurt you a little if they go really, really poorly. They are really more like a one on one information session.</p>
<p>We need a standardized test score to make more accurate predictions. Plus, we don't have things like class rank.</p>
<p>Based on just your GPA:</p>
<p>University of Chicago - Maybe...they are known to let in people with low stats if they show that they are really interested in the school (and of course their essays must be good). Also, they really do take people with "more-than-interesting/weird backgrounds."</p>
<p>I heard that at Wellesley interviews can make a huge difference in terms of getting in or being rejected. I know that usually the schools are just checking to make sure you're not a sociopath or something, but, like i said, some actually put weight on the interview. I think.</p>
<p>As for my test scores, I got a 33 on the ACT + writing test. I didn't take the SAT.</p>
<p>Rankwise, my school doesn't rank, but if it did, I think I'd be in the top quarter-ish, maybe top third. I'm not quite sure.</p>
<p>No chance at any of the four schools mentioned unless you've been living on the street for the past few years (I think I saw that the person who was 1.3 GPA at Dartmouth was someone who was homeless--I think I saw the article on her. She needed to help her parents survive--and couldn't spend money even on paper and pencils to submit her homework the first few years.)</p>
<p>You need to set your sights this year a bit lower than these schools--or apply to these schools, but at least also apply to one or two other places--and definitely to at least one "safety" school.</p>
<p>Are you ready for college at this point in your life? Most of the Wellesley, Chicago, and Dartmouth kids are coming from cushy backgrounds of privilege and wealth, and I'm wondering if a state school might feel more comfortable for you. I have a quasi-middle-class background (long story), and I always felt that because of this background, combined with other things, I felt much more at home at my state school than I did at a lot of elite schools.</p>
<p>You might have a chance at Wellesley.
What is your ethnicity?
With some careful planning and a well-organized application that ties together your background and your goals, you might have a chance. I think an interview at Wellesley could make a difference if you are articulate and can express your reasons for wanting to attend the school.</p>
<p>I think I'm white. My mom is Spanish, and I was told a couple of years ago that, technically, you're not lying if you say you're half hispanic if your mom's spanish. But I think it defeats the whole purpose of helping the underrespresented, because Spain is fairly well-off and it wouldn't be kosher to take a spot from an actual migrant worker or something. I think in my case it might be better to talk about having a spanish mother and how that sets me apart in terms of how i was raised and my values and everything. I really have a wierd background, which I think will help a lot. </p>
<p>As for dartmouth and brown, I don't really care for those schools. Sometimes I get an Ivy High and want to see what would happen if I apllied, but it all comes down to the fact that I don't want to go to those schools. Chicago is great, and I know my essay would certainly be good, but I don't know that I want to live in chicago for four years. I'm a small town kind of person.</p>
<p>So it comes down to Wellesley, which I have checked and double checked to make sure I'm not just drawn to the prestige, plus some colleges I've read about that I'm pretty sure I could get into: New College of Florida, Marlboro, and College of the Atlantic. State schools are generally too large for my taste.</p>
<p>There's a fine line between being optimistic and being a bit delusional. There are tons of great schools out there that will gladly take you and you will get a fine education, unfortunately, I don't believe the ones that you mention are part of this group. I would recommend meeting with a counselor at your high school and finding more realistic options.</p>
<p>I hate to break it to you, but while your writing is something to be proud of, it's not something so rare and special that will single-handedly lift you up. And your background doesn't seem so unusual.</p>
<p>Just trying to be realistic here, best of luck though.</p>
<p>I'm going to try anyway. I just read about a person with a 3.3 and good EC's who got into Chicago. That's pretty much where I am. I'm not giving up, though thanks for your input.</p>
<p>Have you thought about Bennington, or Hampshire? These schools would be open to a "weird" background, weigh the interview heavily and would appreciate your strong writing background.</p>
<p>yes you are crazy, :P start lulling adcoms!!!</p>
<p>no, but in all seriousness the only of the schools that you would have some chance in is University of Chicago. I have a friend with similar credentials that got accepted there.</p>