<p>Hi, I know that there are a lot of unseen factors that go into college admissions (especially for top colleges like berkeley), but I am wondering if I am on the right track for admissions to Berkeley or MIT. I am a rising junior, and before I give my stats, here is my story:</p>
<p>I was born and raised in South Chicago, my mother was addicted to crack cocaine and wasn't around much. My father died in a drive by shooting when I was 3. My family had no money and there was ZERO emphasis on any sort of education. We rarely had food, and I was hardly at school. Everyone around me took up hustling by age 9, but I never felt that temptation. I stayed in the library while my house transformed into a drug den. Taking up physics and chemistry textbooks. I have a lot of horrible stories from the streets. About a year ago, right before freshman year, I was adopted by a new family after CPS removed me and my brother. This new family has been amazing, and they are fully willing to support me in my college endeavors.</p>
<p>Stats: </p>
<p>5.26 GPA weighted, 3.93 UW, rank 27/545 (I'll probably move up to 14 or so by the end of junior year) (95s and above after freshman year, I'd be in the top ten people without my freshman year grades). I especially do well at science (97 and above in all my pre ap science classes so far). I got a 201 on my PSAT, but I haven't taken any help classes so far. I'm in academic decathlon, science olympiad, math olympiad, volunteer at a large hospital, NHS. I am also trying to get a research internship in an applied physics lab here in Chicago My junior year schedule is: PreAP PreCalculus, AP Chem, AP Physics I, AP Computer Science, AP English III, AP Us History, Science Team, Pre-Ap Spanish III. </p>
<p>Wow you seem Intriguing!
Ok let me give you my breakdown (IMO)</p>
<p>Plus factors:
Essay will be a major hook (compelling story+), GPA is highly remarkable, looks like you go to a highly competitve highschool, Your on low income with high achivements will be a plus factor, internship at an applied phsics lab is good looking for sure!</p>
<p>Negative Factors: None as of now, Without your SAT it’s hard to chance but ill try.</p>
<p>M.I.T ( on track) *note M.I.T is a reach for everyone, but you will definitely stand out with that story!
Berkely ( highly on track) * If you keep it up, IMO your in at UC berkely!</p>
<p>Just keep it up your application will be highly interesting to read:)</p>
<p>@TheJHUenthusiast thanks, although it seems unfair that my story will give me better chances for college. I have seen a lot of Asian people on here that jab higher stats and way lower chances.</p>
<p>@theJHUenthusiast But they didn’t pick their race, and a lot have had to work as hard as me. We all have dreams. And a lot of them are smarter than I am. How much lower do you think my chances would be at these schools if I was asian?</p>
<p>@TheJHUEnthusiast That is some racist stuff (and I’m saying this as a black person who has experienced racism first hand). My asian homies got it hard!</p>
<p>Actually, I doubt your chances would be lowered that much with the same stats as an Asian. The story would still be the same, and the poverty would not change. A lot of people say that Ivy League schools want diversity. Contrary to popular belief, diversity isn’t just based on ethnicity. Diversity is also based on where you are from and how you think. Most schools want a class of people who individually think a little bit differently, but are still high achievers. You would obviously represent diversity in terms of experiences, thinking, etc. no matter your color.</p>
<p>It would still be lower.
But OP, I don’t mind affirmative action helping you, you’ve obviously faced a lot of struggles and fought through them. I respect that immensely.
What I hate is affirmative action helping the rich (or relatively rich, upper middle class) black kids with the same opportunities as their Asian and white neighbors and friends, who typically aren’t even African American but from Africa. See kwasi enin.
With your compelling story and high level of achievement especially relative to your background, I think you’re one of the few people for whom MIT wouldn’t be a reach. Keep working hard and hope for the best. Berkeley should also be a match.</p>
<p>Are you a CA resident? The UCs are prohibited from considering race as a factor, but they may consider overcoming hardships (one of the personal statements on UC applications usually involves an essay on that topic). You will qualify automatically for admission to at least one UC campus if you are in the top 9% of your high school class (which you obviously are). Your compelling story and accomplishments make you a formidable candidate anywhere, but I recommend that you consider other schools. If you are not a CA resident, Berkeley might not be the best target school - you might actually have better chances at CalTech or Stanford. I would then look at Harvey Mudd. You could be admitted to a UC, but private colleges are likelier to meet all financial need debt-free (only a handful of the richest schools do not include loans in a financial aid package). Your drive and discipline will take you far in life, but keep an open mind and heart about colleges. Students from backgrounds like yours frequently lack information about the great spectrum of colleges and universities they can attend, because they are only familiar with a handful of prestigious, internationally-renowned, “brands.” You will get into a great college, provided you remain on the track you appear to be on now. It might not be MIT or Berkeley. You might get into Berkeley, for instance, but another, lesser-known college might offer you a debt-free four-year education with all the opportunities you want. </p>
<p>although these schools are reaches for almost anyone, you seem like a good candidate! Very compelling success story, and awesome grades, do well on the SAT and you should be good, or maybe consider the ACT, if math is more of your thing.</p>
<p>Amazing statistics, but IMO you should take Berkely off the list, and not because of your grades. You come from a low-income family and I’m pretty sure (not 100%) that UC schools don’t provide financial aid to out-of-staters. You’ll get into a great school, but I think that you’ll actually be able to attend. Good luck with MIT, I think that Cornell or Dartmouth would also be good fits for you.</p>
<p>I agree with Alden97. The UC system as a whole does not give much financial aid to OOS. Even if UCB is generous, you would still have to come up with $23K (OOS tuition) which is not covered in the FA packages.
There are many great schools which would love to have you. Good Luck.</p>
<p>You need time to think and research what top colleges want. Try looking at their own websites for what they have to say. And run the Net Price Calculators to see what finaid you might be up for. </p>
