<p>“About the Calc AP score, I heard that good AP scores could help you but they wouldn’t hurt you if they’re bad.”</p>
<p>I think they look at the entire application (i.e the “holistic” approach) and, with so many very well qualified applicants, a low AP score will be a factor. If your judging 10 applicants who all have close to a 4.0, over a 2300 SAT (or 35+ ACT), then if one person has lower APs that surely will be a factor - there is just no getting around it. </p>
<p>That’s not to say that other parts of the application can’t compensate. Obviously, if you get published in a prestigious journal that will make an enormous difference.</p>
<p>More generally, I think what many posters are trying to say is that at the top schools (HYPS) there are so many applicants that have 4.0s and great test scores that (even if understandable circumstances exist) why should they reject someone with better grades in favor of you? In order to get past that, I really think you’ll need to publish and have a great recommendation from the lab.</p>
<p>Yup. it’s going to be published and i am working on more projects, namely developing the vaccine. Plus, the professor really thinks i’m awesome lol.</p>
<p>Of course, AP’s could make that tiny difference but I don’t think it constitutes a factor in the ‘holistic’ approach. what about the lower grades in junior year first semester? thanks a lot for the input.</p>
<p>Hey crimsonuser!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for your earlier chance. </p>
<p>I personally think you’ll have pretty solid chances to the Ivies, especially if you get that vaccine worked out and it is legitimate! What a thing to be doing at our age, huh? 36 ACT etc. Harvard etc are crapshoots regardless…</p>
<p>Don’t submit five letter of recs…do the two required, your guidance counselor, and maybe one as a supplemental! </p>
<p>Are you really applying to all of the ivies?</p>
<p>If you don’t mind PMing me, how did you actually manage to get into a lab at such a young age?</p>
<p>Crimsonuser,
Your GPA, SAT I, and AP Calc BC scores are a bit low for Ivy league schools. Your EC’s and SAT II scores are very good. Your scores and GPA might be overlooked though. Just keep in mind that the Ivies are a reach for almost everyone.</p>
<p>Thanks. I received 36 on the ACT so I’m just planning to use that. I don’t know if I should send in both or not. Plus, the GPA is 3.88 uw and that may be low(although 3.88 uw and 4.4 w is not too low even for Ivies)… I’ve gone through/still going through some huge problems at home. And I have a question…my Calc score is 3 but I heard that it wouldn’t hurt me just that it wouldn’t give me a boost.</p>
<p>Do I still have a good chance?</p>
<p>Well, I think you still have a chance. Your Calc score really isn’t that bad. It is passing, so it won’t hurt you. Also, I guess I didn’t take into account the fact that your 3.88 GPA was unweighted. That is actually a good GPA. Besides, your EC’s are really strong. You should be fine.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks. “still have a chance” is like a negative connotation though…although I think that you might just be saying that for everyone without a hook, it’s a reach.</p>
<p>Would the C affect me harshly or will college adcoms acknowledge at least a little bit of what I went through?</p>
<p>Which brings me to my next point…hooks.
I’ve heard hooks being described as life-altering experiences. Does my experience really count as a life-altering experience? For me, I feel that it is and that I really gleaned a lot about myself and life…but I’m not sure. Also, would starting on a vaccine project and being a co-author on the final publication/team for creating the vaccine be a hook?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Don’t listento crimsonivy about your SAT; it’s high enough, I mean come on, a 2290? I think you should sen all your scores in including your subject tests becsuse they’re all really good, no matter what anyone says.</p>
<p>Also, if your C was in freshman year, it shouldn’t matter so much because some schools don’t even look at freshman year grades.</p>
<p>Hey, thanks. But the C was in junior year with Lit Honors. But there is a story regarding this if you read previous posts.</p>
<p>Crimsonuser,
It is possible that the adcoms will take into account what you went through. However, I am slightly doubtful that Harvard and the other Ivies will. I definitely think starting a vaccine project would be an excellent hook. It will show how hardworking and dedicated you are.</p>
<p>exactly, that’s something they can’t deny. Maybe you just had some bad luck or other unfortunate event happening when you got that C; some, if not all, schools would clearly recognize that. But please, turn in your apps early for best chances. If you’re applying RD, before Dec. 1, and if ED, hopefuly around 1st week of october.</p>
<p>OK thanks! I’m not sure if HYPS would take it into account…I’ve heard yes and no.</p>
<p>But yeah…My major hook is getting my research published in my name (first author) and starting the vaccine research to get my name eventually on the finished paper as well.</p>
<p>A hook islimited to the following: recruited athlete, URM, legacy, development.</p>
<p>Applying early does not matter at schools that do not have rolling admissions.</p>
<p>Oh the things that are written here!!!</p>
<p>yeah i realized.</p>
<p>what do you mean by development redroses?</p>
<p>Most likely acceptance at Dartmouth and Cornell.</p>
<p>and a crapshoot for the rest?</p>