Brown University RD - chance me please

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi there, I understand that there is only one week left before admission decisions are made, but I am starting to get nervous and am looking for some serious input. </p>

<p>Before you make your decision by looking at my ACT score, please read the entire article. Btw I'm not the best test taker.</p>

<p>ACT: 23 ( I know it is really low, however I took the ACT twice and received the same grade )
SAT II: US History-590, Math 1-600.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 unweighted</p>

<p>My school is a very small private school with a graduating class of 5 this year. Because my school is small, this means that there are a limited number of courses offered through my school. On the Common App, I pointed out that I took all the rigorous courses offered through my school, because there are no AP's; extracurricular's, including sports; very few Honors, which I took; and no clubs. I am pretty sure I could think of more if given some time. ( At this point you must be thinking that I stand no chance, however I am hoping that my other activities will redeem me.)</p>

<p>Let me tell you a little about myself.
I live on a tiny island in the middle of Japan, with very few opportunities. The reason I am here is because my parents got divorced while my dad was in the military, and for financial reasons my mom decided to raise us here. At the age of fifteen, I had the opportunity to visit my dad in the states; this was my very first time ever being in the states after my parents moved to Japan when I was one. On this trip, I had the opportunity to visit the amazing city known as Los Angeles. I know this may sound weird, but for the very first time visiting a city in no way comparable to where I grown up, I actually felt passionate about something, but I still didn't know what it was. My dad on my way back to Japan left me with a book known as Rich Dad...( I will leave the rest out for copyright reasons) . After visiting Los Angeles and reading this book, everything finally came together; I was passionate about business. As soon as I returned home in Japan, I started looking for opportunities in which I could make some money. At the age of fifteen, job opportunities on a small island, in which you were underage and couldn't speak the language made things difficult to get a job, so I resorted to something that very few teens get involved with... the stock market. At age fifteen, through my mother's trading account I used $100 out of my own pocket and invested it in my very first stock. Long story short, I lost all of it. The one thing, that I believe really showed passion, was that instead of giving up, which was very easy for a fifteen year old with a $25 allowance a month to do, I decided that I would instead study another stock for several days, and then invest more money into it. Long story short, my original investment of $300 almost doubled in 4 days... penny stock. After that I was hooked, exactly like a drug, until I lost almost all my money. The funny thing is, after depleting my bank out, I waited for about 5 months worth of allowance, and then reinvested it all again, only to lose it. I don't know how many times it has been now, I am still trying to find the so called secret to investing if I could say. I am now seventeen and am still investing in the stock market, I attend conferences when I can; seminars; and even interview individuals when possible. Business is now a big part of my life... a day doesn't go by without me thinking about investing/making money. All I can say is I'm passionate, and hopefully Brown sees it as well.</p>

<p>Sorry for the long story, but here are some things I did because I didn't have any opportunities in my school.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I work as a volunteer for the USO ( an organization that supports millions of military personnel every year ). I have been volunteering there now for almost 2 years, and on a consistent basis. </p></li>
<li><p>I was the very first intern at probably the largest business organization on my island. While the job didn't entail investing, I thought that the experience I gained working with highly trained businessmen would help me in the long run. About 6 months. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Btw, I received superb letters of recommendation from both the manager of the USO, as well as the president of the business committee. I also have letters from two teacher's and my counselor. </p>

<p>From just these two experiences above, I stated in the Common App, that they have really shaped me into the individual that I am today. I use to be extremely shy, but because of putting myself into these situations, I have grown into one of the most outgoing individuals in my school/work. These two jobs alone, I believe, are what helped me perfect my Brown interview, which I will explain in a minute. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>I worked as a volunteer for my local church, and contributed in many different ways. About 1 year</p></li>
<li><p>I joined a local basketball team that participated in local games, simply because my school didn't have a sports team. About 1 year.</p></li>
<li><p>Many other small things...</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Lastly, my Brown interview. This is what I believe would have sealed the deal if I got in. The entire interview, I can honestly say, I poured my heart out to the interviewer, and he certainly saw it. I told him the same story I told you above, as well as the plans I have for the rest of my life. ( very, very detailed.I even included internships and certificates I wanted to earn; I gave years as well. ) By the end of the interview the guy sounded shocked. These are his exact words:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>" You are one of the most outstanding individuals I have ever interviewed." He said this with passion as well.</p></li>
<li><p>You are going to laugh, but this is seriously what he said. " I know I am vouching for Brown, but I would highly recommend that you go to a school like Columbia or NYU, just because you sound very passionate. " LOL!!!</p></li>
</ol>

<p>This is when we both sat there for literally 10 seconds in deep silence... I was shocked, and didn't know what to say. So, in a low voice, I just said, "I will take that into consideration..." LOL!!!</p>

<p>By the end of the interview, he said that he was really glad I took the interview, and reminded me that I was one of the best interviews he has ever had. It ended with positive remarks.. I am hoping this is what will make me stand out in the admissions board. </p>

<p>Anyway, that is all. I'm sorry that it is very long, but I would really appreciate your input.</p>

<p>Btw, can an interviewers remarks overrule an ACT score; considering my experience. </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I’d say its a high reach, Your story and Ec’s are pretty good but your scores are too low for Brown.</p>

3

<p>

</p>

<p>No. In fact the interview will carry very little weight, if any. As you said, you’ll find out in a week, but I would not be optimistic.</p>

4

<p>High reach. </p>

<p>You have a fantastic story. It’s just…the interviews don’t really offer much pull. It’d be extremely difficult for the committee to overlook a 23/3.7. </p>

<p>Also, have you made a fair amount of money on the stock market? If not, the story–although it shows passion–might come across as a sum of poor decisions… <em>Invests</em> <em>loses money</em> <em>Invests</em> <em>miraculous gains</em> <em>Invests back</em> <em>loses all money/gains</em> <em>Invests</em> <em>loses money</em></p>

<p>You’ll see your decision in a week, but I wouldn’t have your heart set on Brown. Judging from your personality/story/passion, you’ll do well anywhere you go, so long as you take the opportunity to learn more about business. I mean, Warren Buffett went to the University of Nebraska (then Columbia B-School). </p>

<p>Do keep us updated though. You do have a chance, and I’d like to see you succeed; whether it be an acceptance or a rejection, let us know what happens. Best of luck :)</p>

5

<p>thank you very much for all of your replies. I will make sure to update you once I receive the decision. I also applied to Yale, Columbia, Cornell, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford. I am really not counting on Stanford because they only received one of my LOR’s and I didn’t have an interview because I live outside the US.
As far as my interviews, I am staying positive. Once again thank you, and best of luck to all of you who also applied.</p>

6

<p>High reach.</p>

<p>Your story is unique indeed. However, admission officers can never overlook that ACT score (it’s just too low - sorry to tell u that.) Don’t be discouraged by a possible rejection letter a week later, though. You may consider some lower options as well, and then endeavor to enter a good grad school to pursue your ambition and passion in business. </p>

<p>Good luck to you in your future life!</p>

7

<p>thank you bbff1234</p>

8

<p>I agree with the above posters: all of those schools are very high reaches, even with a spectacular interview and story. No one with a 36 ACT can count on any of them to come up with an acceptance, and neither can you. But don’t be completely dismayed. According to Brown’s website, they did accept 34 people with less than a 26 on the ACT. Interpret that as you will, but good luck!</p>

<p>Predict back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1628065-the-ultimate-chancing-thread-with-real-life-incentive.html”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1628065-the-ultimate-chancing-thread-with-real-life-incentive.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>thank you nhdmaniac. one bit of information that I did get from a Columbia alumni at a formal banquet was that Ivy league schools try to diversify there acceptances. So I am hoping that I have a chance because I am applying from Japan. You can counter that by saying that Asia has more applicants that most continents, however Japan was one of the least if I am not mistaken. And I am not trying to be stereotypical, but I heard that most Asians get rejected because they have many good grades, but very little ec’s.</p>

10

<p>You’re right that Japan may have an advantage, but that’s more of because Japan has great universities in the nation itself (which South Korea, in general, lacks), and isn’t nearly as hypercompetitive as China. But then again, many schools, including Columbia, are not need-blind for internationals, so that can hurt many internationals. </p>

<p>But really, just don’t think about it too much. Many stellar applicants get rejected for no reason aside from “they’re #3001 but only 3000 can be admitted.” </p>

11

<p>Do you carry a Japanese citizenship or a US citizenship/Green Card? </p>

12

<p>im a US citizen, however I am applying from Japan, if that makes sense. On the application I said I was a US citizen, but I couldn’t claim a State because I have lived in Japan my whole life, so I just used Japan.</p>

<p>I know this is sad because I really don’t know, but I might be a dual citizen.</p>

<p>My mom’s relatives are originally from Japan, which is why I was able to live here for 17 years. My mom claims that we are citizen’s, however I know for a fact that we are both US citizen’s as well.</p>

<p>Another thing to question is whether they are classifying an individual by his citizenship or his residency. I am leaning towards citizenship, however living in Japan for 17 years seems like it would make me an international applicant.</p>