Brown chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>So I just started my sophomore year (yes, I’m a bit young to think about colleges) but I have had my heart set on Brown ever since my cousin started going here about six years ago. My family thinks that I’ll get in no problem (at the end of freshman year I had a 4.2 GPA) and I’ve taken every AP that my school offers for freshman and sophomores (which is two) and I’ve got a four on the exam as a freshman which is a pretty good scorce considering.</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m in standard math- which means I’m taking Intermediate Algebra this year (between Alg. 1 and 2 basically). My cousin was taking Algebra 2 as a tenth grader and took all the way up to Calc BC, which something I could simply never take (no room in my schedule) Obviously I’m quite terrible at math (Bs and a few Cs, never on the final) and I’m worrying that since I’m horrid at math, Brown wouldn’t even consider me.</p>

<p>So my question is that should I double up in math courses (for ex., should I take Geometry and Algebra 2 as a junior and then Trig. and Calc AB as a senior) or should I just take the required math courses and call it a day. I plan on taking AP Stat as a senior though so would that balance off the math courses?</p>

<p>The APs I plan/have taken
AP Government (taken, got a four on the exam)
AP US History (taking, plan to get a 4/5)
AP World
AP European
AP Lit
AP Lang
AP Psychology (I was supposed to take it this year but I had a science course I needed to take)
AP French
AP Environmental
AP Stat (maybe)
AP Macro (maybe)
AP Chem (maybe)</p>

<p>I’ve always wanted to AP Bio but they don’t let you take it unless your in the STEM career strand (i’m in the government strand anyway)</p>

<p>Anyway I mostly get As and Bs and I’m in a good amount of EQs (4, plus NHS and History NHS) and I play two sports, both at JV level and may be varsity in one this year (which probably doesn’t matter unless I get recruited). I’m also the secretary of the 10th grade class.</p>

<p>So, do I have a chance even though my math skills aren’t exactly great? The other schools I like (I haven’t really looked) are Dartmouth, Bowdoin, and UMich.</p>

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<p>You have solid stats and would certainly be competitive at Brown. If you list your intended major as something mathematically related, I would do as much math as you can handle before heading off to college (be it Brown or somewhere else!), if you’re going into the humanities, it’s not as necessary, and might even detract from your application if it takes time away from other extra curriculars you could be enjoying. You definitely show you’re challenging yourself academically with all the APs you’re taking.</p>

<p>Honestly, the admissions process at many of these schools is kind of a crapshoot. All an applicant can do is put themselves in the best position both for the admissions process and to prepare for the heavy college workload. You certainly would be a competitive applicant at Brown and other institutions of that ilk. I know it’s very difficult (my college search was one of the worst and most difficult experiences of my life, for multiple reasons I won’t go into here), but don’t worry about it too much! You’ll definitely end up at an amazing school.</p>