BAN on Chance Thread: HOPE with low scores

<p>I'd like to say something: I got deferred at UChicago with a 22/23 ACT. Yeah, I was actually deferred with a 22 ACT where there are also kids with 32+ who were rejected. First of all, I'll commend them for doing so well on a test that I struggled with. I'd just like to say that test scores aren't everything; I had an interactive interview. I wrote to the best of my ability and my recs were probably positive. I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack, but they saw something in me that kept them from rejecting me. </p>

<p>Also, this is for all those kids who chastised me a few months ago for even thinking about applying here when I mistakingly posted my stats: who has a chance? This guy! That really hurt me, and I cried. People told me I had NO chance, not even with the best essays in the world. I don't want future, curious students to go through the same grief that I went through. "Chance threads" are misleading, so don't be tempted to use them like I was. </p>

<p>For future students out there with low ACT scores: DON'T LOSE HOPE!!! Apply to as many schools as you can; I applied to 16 and now it seems like I have many options. All of them have average test scores above mine, so don't be afraid to apply to schools that may seem like reaches.</p>

<p>Have a merry christmas and good luck with college searches!</p>

<p>I love it. I can totally relate to this because I’m just like you, with subpar grades and test scores, but I’m still aiming for highly selective schools because I believe I can still thrive with hard work. I’ve had everyone also tell me that I had no shot at all at any of the schools I’m applying to. But to all the underdogs like me out there: there’s nothing to lose and nothing to be ashamed of for trying to get into the school of your dreams, and hard work will always pay off. Spend the time on the essays, and the colleges will see it and great results will come your way. Thanks for the post.</p>

<p>no problem :)</p>

<p>Don’t get too ahead of yourself. Most selective schools these days are deferring early applicants in order to decrease the acceptance rate of the regular pool, thus insinuating a more selective college. Honestly, it looks like you’re a part of this massive deferral trend. If I were you, I wouldn’t get my hopes up when you get your decision in April…</p>

<p>That may be true, but the fact that he got deferred when so many other kids that have better statistics have been outright denied, shows that colleges still value personal statements and the individuals, despite all the ridiculous extracurriculars and test scores that so many other students have today. A deferral is not to be taken lightly, because as he said, so many other brilliant candidates were rejected. And I believe everyone knows that it is highly unlikely to be accepted after getting deferred, especially in highly selective schools. But the fact that he was deferred just shows that he has something that colleges merit, and that he is in the ballpark. </p>

<p>Anyways, good luck in your admissions to other colleges.</p>

<p>chance threads were never meant to be accurate. they are meant as something of a guideline, of what you MIGHT expect, not what you WILL expect.
i agree with howdoudo. most EA/ED applicants are deferred nowadays (unless its stanford and defer a tiny percent), and often times the deferred acceptance rate is lower than 10%.
but good luck! It is true that you might get in, but it is also possible that you might be rejected. it is good to have hope and confidence, but it might lead to severe disappointment.</p>

<p>I agree with the above, so many schools defer students, it really doesn’t mean much. A 22 on the ACT is indeed quite low, roughly 1530/2400 equivalent.</p>

<p>Your case would have been struggling had you been accepted, but it appears the chances threads weren’t misleading at all. People predicted you wouldn’t get in top a Top 5 college in the country competing with students with 32-34 who are also hard working, arguably even more than you. And they were right. </p>

<p>And of course, it is common knowledge that we have the freedom to apply to any school regardless of our chances. But is that really reasonable?</p>

<p>Yeah, agree with you. A lot of the posts on chance threads are hurtful, not only to the person being replied to, but also to people with similar stats out there.</p>

<p>I, for one, don’t see the point of “chance me” threads. No one (that we know of) here works for the admission offices; therefore no one here can truly give an accurate response. </p>

<p>SAT scores are also posted publicly on school website. There’s no reason for you not to know whether or not your scores are within range. I think some people are also here for ego boosts, people who know that they have outrageously amazing SATs and ECs.</p>

<p>Good luck with UChicago!</p>

<p>howdoudo: I don’t think he’s certain that he’ll get in, not that he doesn’t have a shot. The average GPA for all the people admitted into Harvard at my school is 3.73 (no joke). Why? Because selective schools don’t always want the insanely smart ones, they want the ones who have academic potential but will also bring something unique to their schools. He’s just happy that colleges saw something in him, something that transcended his SAT scores.</p>

<p>The chance threads told me that I should not even waste my time applying as I would have NO chance, SIMPLY because of my test scores. Well, it turns out I do have a chance, because if I didn’t I’d be rejected like those kids with 30+ ACT scores. It should be obvious that UChicago isn’t looking for brains: they’re looking at the whole person. That’s my point, and just because I was deferred does NOT mean that I’m expecting or even hoping to get in. It’s just ridiculous how one can go through these threads and see how kids can be so thrilled with their scores, they can even brag about them, when in reality the scores don’t guarentee acceptance.</p>

<p>agree with diana. Last year the 4 people who got into harvard at my school had avg gpas of 3. 52. One was an insanely smart but lazy azn genius; the other three were just hella good athletes.</p>