My GPA at the end of junior year is shaping up to be about a 3.72… I have a 32 on the ACT (36 E, 34 R, 36 W, 31 S, 28 M).
I have great ECs and I work two jobs (financial issues w family). It sucks that Brown is so prestigious because it has everything that I want in a school such as an open curriculumn, very strong theatre scene, great humanities programs, feeling of a classic college campus with access to urban amenities, great sports, and Greek life/partying. It’s gotten to the point where I really need to hone down my list; is Brown too far out of the realm of possibility for me?
If your 3.7 puts you out of the top decile of your HS class, then yes, Brown is a super duper reach for you. Is that weighted or unweighted? Are you taking the most rigorous curriculum? Were there any extenuating circumstances (illness or death in your family, for example)? What does Naviance say? My point is that we really don’t have enough info to answer definitively.
Yes I’m at the top of my class, I attend a highly ranked, very competitive school in CT. I’ve taken the most rigorous courses possible. I have two jobs and work often due to my family’s financial constraints if that counts as an extenuating circumstance.
Yes, that absolutely counts as an extenuating circumstance. Have your counselor notify it on their recommendation letter. Since there’s a reason behind your lowered GPA, Brown will look past it as you are spending time to financially support your family. Also, because you attend a highly ranked school, you are already ahead of the game.
Brown is within reach, but with a 9% acceptance rate, its a reach for everyone. What’s your exact class rank (percentage-wise)?
My school does not do class ranking unfortunately besides validvictorian and salutatorian- both of which I am not, haha. It’s interesting though, the person who got salutatorian took much harder classes than the girl who got validvictorian and only missed it by getting an A- (she got all A’s).
Do you really think that working two jobs would help explain my GPA though? If so that is honestly such a relief to hear… I work pretty much all weekend (no free time) and during the week I also have theatre, clubs, and work so finding ample time to study is always very difficult @mg29409
See if your high school at least will note of you are in the top 10% or something like that.
My opinion on whether to give it up? If you can afford to apply while still keeping some more realistic colleges on your list, then give it a shot because you will always wonder. But treat it as a lottery ticket chance. work really hard to find at least a couple of schools that your have a better chance of admittance that you could enjoy enrolling in.
Yes of course! No part of me thinks anything will really come of it but I feel like I have to apply because I love it so much. Could you help recommend some safeties that are similar to brown (e.g. open/loose curriculumn, liberal atmosphere, great humanities, near/in a small, vibrant city, great theater arts program…wow the list really goes on!). @mom2twogirls
Even if your school doesn’t rank, your counselor evaluation should reveal more about how competitive the school is. If most don’t have above a 3.7, they’ll see that your school is significantly more challenging than other high schools.
I would suggest some but I think there are people who frequent some of the other forums who would be way better at it. Try maybe posting on the college search and selection forum? There are some super knowledgeable people.
One that pops into my head that would still be a reach but could be slightly more attainable than Brown would be University of Rochester. Again, not a safety but could be an interesting option.
I have a friend whose dream school was Brown—he got rejected, went to Rochester, and he loves it there. I’d definitely check it out.
I agree with mom2twogirls and hufflepuffle that you should look at Univ of Rochester. That was DS 2nd choice after Brown. His biggest thing was the open curriculum and while not quite as open as Brown, they have limited requirements. They offered him merit aid as well. Good luck.