Am I in over my head? =/

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey all! I'm pretty new to CC and was hoping you guys might help chance me for a few colleges please! My school counselor is super nice but notorious for making college suggestions that are too hard for students to get into. So I thought I'd beg the advice of all you smart people that I hear frequent these forums. ;) Thanks for your time!!</p>

<p>Schools (tentative-am planning to take one of them off):
University of Washington/Honors Program
USC (in cali)
Rice
Wash U in St. Louis
Pomona
Pitzer
Brown
Whitman
UC Berkeley</p>

<p>About me:
Senior male in high school
Washington State (school ranked #11 on US NewsWeek)
Asian American (Chinese)- 2nd generation
First generation going to college in the USA
Pre-med student applying as an Anthro/Sociology major</p>

<p>GPA/Rank:
3.93 unweighted, school does not weight
School does not do rank but both registrar and counselor said top 5 out of 69.</p>

<p>Standardized Tests:
-ACT: 34 with writing 11/12
-SAT: 2130 (1470 CR + M)
-SAT II's: not taken yet (could be my downfall I know). Will take Math II in November and Bio and US History scores on the way
-AP Test: 5 US History, 5 World History, 4 American Literature, 4 Bio</p>

<p>Course load:
10th grade- AP World History (2 A's and a 5)</p>

<p>11th grade - AP US History (2 A's and a 5), AP Calculus AB (2 A's, couldn't afford test), AP Bio (an A and a B, got a 4), AP American Literature (2 A's and a 4), and AP French (2 A's)</p>

<p>12th grade - the other AP English course (school record doesn't have official name but it is AP), AP Physics B, AP American Gov.</p>

<p>EC's</p>

<p>-Secretary of ASB (whole school student body)- 2 years
-Program Delivery Council (elected to decide school curriculum with adults) - completing 2 year term
- Outside of school youth symphony orchestra, highest division - 5 years
-Junior State of America (debate) - 3 years, was on state cabinet (chapter affairs co-coordinator) and on school council (director of fundraising/treasurer, new member affairs)
- National Honor Society - 2 years
- Tri-M National Music Honor Society - 2 years
-National French Honor Society - 1 year
-Jazz Choir pianist - 2 years
- Competitive Piano and Orchestra - 8 years
-School Tutor/mentor to 6th graders (6-12 school) - 2 years
-Roots and Shoots (key club) - 2 years
-Tutor/Big Buddy for middle school students- 2 years
-Internship with Piano Technician at Sherman Clay store - 1 year</p>

<p>Volunteers:</p>

<p>-80 hours at local library system
-60 hours at Swedish Medical Hospital (info desk, volunteer, assistant to nurses, etc.)
-30 hours with city youth council summer program
-24 hours as Co-Captain of 24-Hour-Relay team (fundraising relay)
-40 hours with Youth symphony summer camp (teach violin to middle school kids)</p>

<p>Honors/Awards:</p>

<p>-Lettered in JSA (debate) - 2 years
- Lettered In Orchestra - 2 years
-NHS - 2 years
-Tri-M - 2 years
-National French Honor Society- 1 year
-AP Scholar with Distinction
-Score of I (top) in solo/ensemble - 2 years
-Various small piano/violin awards
-President's Education Award (Humanities) - 1 year
-Voted Most Improved and Best Sense of Humor in Orchestra - 2 years (lolololol I'm actually proud of this)</p>

<p>Essays:
1) Personal Statement about servant leadership (a life defining moment when I chose to run for student government and what I've done since).
2) Diversity- About my family prejudices and how excited I am to finally meet new people with no restrictions</p>

<p>So, what do you guys think? Am I in over my head? Good chances? Is Taylor Swift hot?</p>

<p>All answers are much appreciated! Thanks!!! :]</p>

2

<p>Your list appears realistic. I don’t see any indication that you are overstretching yourself. On the whole, your application is strong but a bit typical, so for the more competitive schools (really only Brown on your list), it’s up in the air. Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much for your respond man! I guess I may have underestimated myself a bit, but I do agree that I’m not very unique on paper and although I’d say maybe pretty well-rounded, all the other top 5 at my school even have similar activities.</p>

<p>Can anyone else chance me please? Also, how would you suggest making myself seem more unique? I won’t lower myself to club-grubbing last minute but maybe more so on my essay topics? Thanks!! :3</p>

4

<p>assuming good SAT II scores
University of Washington - match
USC (in cali) - match
Rice - high match
Wash U in St. Louis - low reach
Pomona - high match
Brown - low reach
UC Berkeley - high match</p>

<p>chance back?
thanks bro!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1015920-chance-indecisive-kid-shooting-top-tier-schools.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1015920-chance-indecisive-kid-shooting-top-tier-schools.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Thanks!!</p>

<p>bump :3</p>

6

<p>Your list is definitely attainable and given your record you have an excellent shot at all the schools. Just be sure and write a great essay to make yourself stand out, other than that, excellent chance! good luck!</p>

7

<p>assuming good SAT II scores
University of Washington - match
USC (in cali) - match
Rice - high match
Wash U in St. Louis - high match
Pomona - match
Brown - low reach
UC Berkeley - match/high match</p>

8

<p>In state would put Udub as a safety. Well, I do not know how honors works there, but for regular college it is a safety.</p>

9

<p>solid in general
two things:
1st. dont send SAT scores unless you have to since your ACT is considerably better
2nd. if you can, apply to a couple more ivies since you have a good shot at them. (if you’re worried about money (im assuming since you didnt take a AP test b/c of it) they generally give need based scholarships which are generally really good).</p>

10

<p>Well there is an odd correlation between your essay about servant leadership and you volunteering. Servant usually refers to volunteering purely for the benefit of others…but you volunteering area is lacking. With around 250 hours i would definitely think about changing your essay topic to maybe the music award for most funny or whatever…idk just an observation =P</p>

11

<p>University of Washington - High Match
USC- Match
Rice - Match
Wash U in St. Louis - High Match
Pomona - match
Brown - Reach
UC Berkeley - Match</p>

<p>Brown and the others ivies are reaches for anyone no matter SAT/GPA.</p>