Chance a junior? OF COURSE I'll chance you back!

<p>Hey guys! I apologize in advance that this is a novel-length post... I'm a wordy person. And I know I just posted about Brown chances a few weeks ago... sorry, posting for all schools I'm interested now.</p>

<p>Caucasian male, semi-prestigious (step down from Choate) private school in Connecticut.
No fin aid necessary. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.7 UW, large upward trend but will probably dip a tiny bit because second semester I don't have a 4.0 so far.</p>

<p>Freshman Year:
English: B+
Algebra 2H: B
Spanish 2H: B+
Biology: B+
History: B
Wind Ensemble: A-</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
Spanish 3H: A-
English: A
History: A
Chemistry: A
Geo/Trig: A-
Concert Choir: A-</p>

<p>Junior Year (as rigorous as it gets, except for Pre Calc):
Spanish 4H: A, A
English 11H: A-, A-
AP US History: A, A-
AP Environmental Science: A, A
Pre Calculus: A+, A
Chamber Choir: A, A</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP Spanish
AP English
AP Statistics
Honors Physics
Chamber Choir
International Relations (First Sem.), Intro to The Middle East (Second Sem.)
Global Thesis (I'll be concentrating on the Cuban poetry situation and doing extensive research in order to produce a complete thesis by the end of the year; Competitive Program).</p>

<p>High Honors Society first semester Junior Year, both semesters Sophomore Year, second semester of Freshman Year.</p>

<p>Headmaster’s List (contributes most to overall classroom learning environment) both semesters Sophomore Year.</p>

<p>Inducted into foreign language honors society at the end of Sophomore Year.</p>

<p>SAT (took it in January, but my March scores tied in CR, and increased in W and M):
CR: 670
M: 700
W: 800, 12 Essay</p>

<p>Total: 2170</p>

<p>Intended Major: Business/Economics and English (Creative Writing).</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars:</p>

<p>1) I founded a literary magazine at beginning of sophomore year that donates proceeds to an organization that works to alleviate child labor in third world countries. I remain the editor-in-chief, and I’ve expanded the project to include almost 40 associate staff editors—the journal has attracted the writing of many impressive writers (see Connections section below).</p>

<p>1b) Put together a special feature about the Cuban dissident experience for my journal-- bilingual feature, featuring translating work as well as a call for action. The issue reflects nine months of research and a series of award-winning poems (see #3).</p>

<p>2) I am the runner-up for 2011 Elizabeth Bishop Prize in Verse sponsored by The Blue Pencil Online. I attended their inaugural ceremony to read my poem, which they published.</p>

<p>2a) I received the 2012 Elizabeth Bishop Prize in Verse, and have received a full scholarship to the summer program at Walnut Hill Arts School, which I have accepted.</p>

<p>3) I received the 2011 Renee Duke Youth Award from Poets for Human Rights for a series of five poems about the Cuban dissident experience.</p>

<p>--Sneaking this in here--</p>

<p>2012 Poetry Society of Virginia Student Contest for Poetry- 2nd place, sponsored by William & Mary.</p>

<p>4) I received a gold key for five poems in the 2011 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and three gold keys (poetry, flash fiction, playwriting) and a silver key (poetry) in the 2012 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.</p>

<p>4a) Just got a Gold Medal for Poetry and a Silver Medal for Flash Fiction from the 2012 Scholastic Awards (both works in top 1,500/200,000 submissions). I'm attending a ceremony at Carnegie Hall, where I'll be reading my work and receiving my medals.</p>

<p>5) I am the Junior Editor of high school literary magazine, and will be Senior Editor next year. I was also a staff member Sophomore Year.</p>

<p>6) My writing has been featured in over 150 independently-owned publications (some are extremely selective); I have been featured on my school's website for my work with my literary magazine and publication pursuits, and I am being featured in school's annual report magazine this year. Publication spots include: Australia, Austria, Canada, England, and Yale University's Humanities in Medicine Journal.</p>

<p>7) I will graduate high school with a Concentration in Global Studies (will take a global service trip to China this summer, will be taking AP Spanish, will write a 20-page thesis analyzing a global issue).</p>

<p>8) Bass/Baritone in my all-male a cappella group at high school starting Sophomore Year; won 3rd place in all-state a cappella championship Sophomore Year. I am Vice President and Arranger of the group, as of my Junior Year.</p>

<p>9) I played piano in the Young Musician's Festival (competitive musician program in March every year) in Freshman Year--Intermediate Level, 10/10 stars.</p>

<p>10) I am a member of my school’s Model UN Club. I traveled to Georgetown's NAIMUN conference Sophomore Year.</p>

<p>11) I attended Middlebury's New England Young Writers’ Conference last may (Sophomore Year).</p>

<p>12) I attended Stanford University’s EPGY between Sophomore and Junior Years, studying Creative Writing intensively for three weeks.</p>

<p>13) Two plays of mine were recently featured in my high school's Winter Showcase, and one play has been recruited for an outside-of-school gig.</p>

<p>13) Between Freshman and Sophomore Year, I volunteered as a camp counselor, and took care of an autistic child for six weeks.</p>

<p>14) I am a leading member of my school's GSA.</p>

<p>15) I am a member of Columbia University's Student Film Actors Pool (i.e. I act in student films there).</p>

<p>16) I am in two improv groups (will lead one in Senior Year).</p>

<p>17) I perform songs often at coffeehouses and school venues.</p>

<p>My essays, teacher recommendations, and interviews will all be great.</p>

<p>Connections:
- Someone on board of Northwestern willing to write a rec (only if I go there ED).
- Northwestern professor sent me two of his books, and I remain in correspondence with him about my literary journal.
- In contact with Professor of Creative Writing from UChicago, and an Admissions Administrator from UChicago.
- Someone very involved with Brown willing to write a rec and introduce me to reader for my county, as well as a collection of board members.
- In <em>strong</em> contact with Professor of Creative Writing from Brown; he initiates email conversation about once a week, and we talk about a variety of writing-related topics. I remain very profession with him, though.
- Creative Writing professor wants me to come to Tufts, featured another Creative Writing professor in my journal, Tufts student on my journal staff.
- Legacy @ Georgetown University
- Offer from Visiting Lecturer at Georgetown’s Business School to write a rec.
- Georgetown Law Grad willing to write a rec.
- Amherst alumni willing to write a rec.
- Relationship with jubilat, the literary magazine at Amherst.
- Poet-in-residence at Stanford University willing to write a rec.
- In contact with Fiction Instructor from Stanford University
- Alumni (Camp counselor from last summer) from Stanford willing to write a rec.
- Columbia professor submitted to my journal, Columbia student previously involved with my journal.
- Briefly corresponded with Yale Creative Writing professor; she would like to submit in the future, will follow up; previously, Yale student on my staff.
- UC Berkeley student, and two Brown students, will be on my staff this summer.</p>

<p>SCHOOLS:
Amherst
Brown (top choice)
UC Berkeley (OOS)
Georgetown
Northwestern
UChicago
Johns Hopkins
Columbia (shameless dream school)
Stanford (shameless dream school)
Yale (shameless dream school)
Tufts
UVA (OOS)
UNC- CH (OOS)
NYU Stern
USC</p>

<p>^Will be fine with the last four, but may try to transfer out if I can...</p>

<p>Edit: I KNOW the list is huge, sorry everyone! I will drop the top five if my grades go farther down, and I will drop some of the bottom four if my grades go up.</p>

1 Like

<p>By the way everyone, I’ll be retaking the SAT one more time in October. Hoping for 720/720/800 (2240), but we all have hopes.</p>

<p>Also, my SAT II’s will be US History and Lit, for now. Lit won’t go well I don’t think, but US H will.</p>

<p>Being out of state for UVA and UNC is a HUGE dissadvantage. But, I do have to say your ECs seem phenomenal. Just get your GPA and SAT up and you’ll have a decent chance</p>

<p>I think you have a solid chance at all of them if you do a tad better on the SAT (including subjects). My reason being that since you are such an amazing writer, your essay will be probably one of the best that these universities will receive. That itself can carry you a long way. I know a kid who had an average GPA but apparently wrote a great essay; he got into almost every Ivy. Plus your ECs and connections are really good.</p>

<p>SCHOOLS:
Amherst-write a KILLER essay and you’re in
Brown (top choice)-reach
UC Berkeley (OOS)-a bit of a toss up, leaning in
Georgetown-in
Northwestern-in, especially with your connections
UChicago-in
Johns Hopkins-reach
Columbia (shameless dream school)-reach
Stanford (shameless dream school)-reach
Yale (shameless dream school)-reach
Tufts-in
UVA (OOS)-in
UNC- CH (OOS)-in
NYU Stern-I don’t know much about this school
USC-in</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1306833-chance-me-umass-dartmouth-uconn-quinnipiac-northeastern-bc-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1306833-chance-me-umass-dartmouth-uconn-quinnipiac-northeastern-bc-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>get SATs up is a definite. also, you don’t have to, but I would strongly recommend at least Math 1 AND one of the science SATIIs as well. A lot of schools like to see that and it helps show that you’re well rounded in the same way that many math/science intended majors still do music and art.
I think you have a great shot at most schools and the only ones that I would be unsure about are JHU, Brown, NYU Stern, Amherst, Columbia, and Stanford.
JHU mostly because they waitlist anyone who is the slightest bit underqualified OR overqualified if they apply RD. (which I always thought was stupid)
The other ones I think you can have a good shot but you need to get some things up and write some killer essays.
I know it’s a bit late to say, but it could’ve helped for you to best demonstrate a well-rounded type of thing. most of your stuff is very liberal-arts type stuff. You didn’t list any sports nor any math/science stuff past what was required with the exception of AP Stats. And even that you’re not taking til next year. That could kill your shot at NYU stern pretty easily.
Other than that you’re good. You seem like a strong applicant, so write some amazing essays (which it seems like you most definitely have the potential to do) and you’ll probably get into a lot of these schools.</p>

<p>Also for the future, not ever detail is essential for colleges or for this site. After reading just 7 or 8 of the things you listed (not the first 7 or 8, but 7 or 8 key ones) I could have written the same reply.</p>

<p>Wow congrats… very accomplished with great connections. Except I don’t know about the Ivies and Stanford you listed with your gpa. But my sister got accepted and went to Berkeley with a good scholarship (she had a 4.5ish gpa, 2250 SAT, and so-so extracurriculars) so I think you would have a shot at that one. Also you’ve got UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, and USC.</p>

<p>dessie411</p>

<p>“Amherst-write a KILLER essay and you’re in
Georgetown-in
Northwestern-in, especially with your connections
UChicago-in”</p>

<p>Yes, they are safety schools.</p>

<p>^Haha, I was going to say that those predictions were pretty (actually, extremely) optimistic.</p>

<p>Chanced you back, dessie. Thanks everyone!</p>

<p>bump from the second page. any more opinions?</p>

<p>Great stat!!! Improve your SAT scores, get great SAT II scores, and continue working hard in school. </p>

<p>You have a shot at all of these schools. Nothing can be said about the top tier schools, but you have a really strong chance of getting into at least one.</p>

<p>chance back please .</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1315110-please-chance-ivies-top-colleges.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1315110-please-chance-ivies-top-colleges.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I don’t think you’re in range for ivies and their peers. Much is expected from affluent prep school kids at those schools and your scores will really hurt. You are also usually competing with a lot of ivy legacies at CT prep schools. I’d say you’d be smart to apply ED to your legacy school or NU with that letter.</p>

<p>@Waverly- My only legacy school is Georgetown, which only offers EA. But I don’t think I have a shot there because they don’t even look at writing scores, and without that my sat reeks even more. My dad didn’t go to a good college, and my grandparents didn’t go to college. I do see where you’re coming from though, and trust me I do not expect to get into an Ivy League-- they’re just there because they’re dreams, haha.</p>

<p>Do you think I’d potentially have a shot to transfer up the road? I don’t know anything about how colleges consider high school GPAs and SATs for transfer students, so I thought I’d ask. Obviously, of course, my transfer chances depend on my GPA freshman year of college and everything there, but… yeah.</p>

<p>Also (wow, sorry, long response), where do you draw the line between Ivy League schools and their peers, and a step down?</p>

<p>@sup3rman- chanced back :)</p>

<p>I think youve got a great shot. your ECs are AMAZING. also you dont understand how lucky you are to go to a school like that, it really helps. please chance me to <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1315222-chance-harvard-stanford-please-ill-chance-you-back-i-promise.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1315222-chance-harvard-stanford-please-ill-chance-you-back-i-promise.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>You are set my friend! Obviously Stanford, Brown, and Columbia are reaches for EVERYONE, you are doing very well and school, and I think you will be impressed with the schools you get into! Chance me? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1315087-help-student.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1315087-help-student.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>ECs are great. I think you’ll be competitive at most of the schools, but Brown and Columbia are pretty much reaches even if you have a 2400 and a 4.0. Connections will definitely help…did you reach out to these people yourself or are they from your family?</p>

<p>I reached out to all professors and students by my own prerogative. The alumni connections though, are mostly family friends-- though I did work independently on a community service project (just the two of us) with the NU alumni on the board.</p>

<p>You have a bit of a unique situation with your extremely passionate EC’s yet only good test scores and GPA. For schools that either completely disregard or downplay the significance of the writing section of the SAT, you would be wise to try to highlight your EC’s and strong writing ability to try to compensate. I am confident that you’ll get into one of the schools that you have such strong connections with, particularly Georgetown or Northwestern.</p>

<p>You have a great chance! Your EC’s are spectacular!(:</p>