Are these test scores/GPA unrealistic for Brown and top Liberal Arts colleges

I have a 30 ACT score/1930 SAT, and a 3.7 UW GPA

  • I read that Brown only accepts 2% of applicants who are not in the top 10%, so I’m 14/72
    -EC’s-Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout Candidate)
    -Drama club 9-12 (Treasure 9th/ PR team 11-12th)
    -Varsity soccer 9-12th
    -Yearbook Club 10-12th
    -School Newspaper 9-10th (It kind of disbanded after that)
  • Volunteer at the local food Pantry (about 40 hrs)
  • part of VOSCA (volunteers of South Carolina Association), we do community service in the Area, and go on a trip during spring break to poor areas of South Carolina.
    -Latin Club Officer (11-12), have also preformed in the talent show
    -No Major Awards (just AP Scholar Award)
    Essay-Very good (for me at least but Im a bad writer)
    Letters of Rec-No clue
    With these stats do I have a chance to get into at least One of these schools: Brown, Vassar, Wesleyan, NYU, BU

Vassar - ACT is at 25th percentile. Reach
Brown - ACT is at 25th percentile. High reach due to low acceptance rate.
Wesleyan - Test optional, so percentiles don’t mean much. But your GPA is low end, so I would say it is a reach.
NYU - Probably depends on which school. ACT is at 50% mark overall, so possible match. Have you run the net price calculator, can you afford it?
BU - ACT is a bit over 50%, seems like a match. Again, run NPC.

If this is your full list, you need a safety or two, and it would be good to have a couple more matches. It is good to have choices in the spring…

These are some schools that are Iffy. I am also applying to Suny Stony Brook,Binghamton University, Purchase College, UVM, and I am thinking a couple Of Cuny’s. ( I attend a small Rural Public school in New York, also white if this makes any difference)

If students are getting into Brown with lower level credentials, they are most likely legacies (or maybe athletes). Brown has been around a long time and there are lot of legacies. In terms of EC’s, you’ve listed a bunch but not really any outcomes, something the more competitive schools look for. Without more information, I don’t think people can really predict your chances with a high probability that their predictions would mirror those of the schools. What about SAT2’s? What about grades in the most rigorous classes? How far did you go in math and science?

You mention that a small percent of students get into Brown without being in the upper 10% of their graduating class. Think logically about that. Why would that happen? They have other compensatory credentials-those may be family credentials rather then their own as in the case of legacy. They may have other outstanding credentials. The point is that they have something going for them that over-rides concerns about not being in the top 10%. They are not just lucky. You don’t provide any information suggesting that is true for you. Luckily there are hundreds of schools out there that would not be out of range for you at all.

You mention you are a lousy writer but you are applying to schools looking for outstanding students. That is a little confusing. You might want to consider bringing your aspirations and skill levels closer together.

Lastly, you ask about the possibility of getting into some fairly competitive schools. Then in a subsequent post tell readers you are also applying to at least 5 others. How you phrased your question (“do I have a chance to get into at least One of these schools: Brown, Vassar, Wesleyan, NYU, BU”) leads me to think you really don’t want to go to those others. if that is true, then find some less competitive schools that you do like. Just because a school is less competitive doesn’t mean that they lack qualities you would find valuable. Find ones you’d be happy to attend.