Chance me! ED class of 2015

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
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<p>So, Brown is my dream school. I visited it in November and instantly fell in love. I know I sound obnoxious, but I want to do EVERYTHING I can to get in. I’d have to say, my chances aren’t that great, but I keep holding onto the hope that they’ll see something in my character that will make them want me.</p>

<p>I’ve had a good GPA, but compared to Brown applicants, it’s actually not great at all.</p>

<p>After junior year, my GPA (weighted) will be about a 4.6. That’s about a 3.7 unweighted. My freshman and sophomore years were awful- I got lots of B’s and just didn’t work as hard as I could have/should have, because I didn’t realize how important it was. This year, I have a weighted GPA of 4.9 (4.0 unweighted), which clearly shows that I am fully capable of handling my schoolwork. I’m hoping that maybe, the “upward trend” will work to my advantage somewhat. I’m a great student when I apply myself, which I have learned to do. Because of my GPA though, I’m not in National Honor Society, so that looks bad against my competition. However, I do go to one of the most competitive, “best” public high schools in the country. </p>

<p>I took one AP class freshman year, one sophomore year (these two years, only one was available) but I am taking 4 this year and 5 senior year.</p>

<p>After graduation, I will have taken all honors and AP: AP Bio, Euro, Lang, French 4, French 5, Latin 5, Psych, Envi. Sci., Literature and Composition, US Gov., and Calc. AB. I take lots of major classes, because I just love to learn.</p>

<p>AP TESTS: 4 on Euro, 3 on Bio. I would probably hide the Bio score, though.</p>

<p>I’ve taken 5 years of both French and Latin, and I’m hoping that that can be my hook. This is EXTREMELY rare in my school. I’ve excelled in both- high A averages, awards on National Latin Exam, and I ranked 3rd nationally in the National French Exam. I’m also in French club. I’m going to France this summer, and want to major in it. I’m also taking a Spanish class this summer, and plan to continue until I go to college. I LOVE languages and other cultures, I just think it’s all fascinating. I think my language thing is a big deal, especially finishing two languages at the AP level- do you think they’ll see it that way? </p>

<p>SAT: So far, highest score is a 2160, but I am working my butt off to improve it. I am also a National Merit Semifinalist, at least. I might be higher- we haven’t found out yet. </p>

<p>Other things I do: I am self-taught on guitar, have played soccer on the same team since 3rd grade, am in my school’s CoExist Club and French Club. I am on the Literary Magazine staff (this year only, though) and next year I will be a co-editor. Freshman year I ran cross country, winter track, and spring track (all JV) but I stopped to devote more time to soccer. I only really started to get involved in my school this year. Again, this is not a great thing. </p>

<p>I have taught Sunday School classes at my church (volunteered) for 6 years, and have recieved honors like “most dedicated to community service” (which I probably wouldn’t put on my application anyway, right?).</p>

<p>This year, I organized a Shoe Drive for the Haiti earthquake victims. I got neighbors, friends, my school, nonprofits, and other schools involved, and collected 1,500 pairs of shoes. I’m really interested in helping people and working with them- this shows through my service, church teaching, Psychology and Sociology classes (I hope).</p>

<p>I am also a Certified Oral Presenter (that probably doesn’t count for anything, though).</p>

<p>I’m counting on good recommendations, one of which I think will be fabulous. I’m not worried about my essay either, really, because I’m a good writer and I have a personality that I think is interesting. I have a sense of perspective and so many ambitions that I will try to make them see. </p>

<p>I have a job at a clothing store for young girls, which I’ve held since August and will hold until I go off to college. </p>

<p>Why Brown? The liberal atmosphere and the open curriculum. I LOVE the idea of being able to take so many things that I’m interested in. I have so many interests, so I would love it. There are also a few specific classes I already know about taking, which I could put in my essay.</p>

<p>I know this is a lot. I’m just trying to include everything I can think of, good and bad, and maybe get some advice on what to do.</p>

<p>Do you think it would help if I applied ED, or would it hurt me? Do I even have a shot, or should I just give up? I’m holding on to hope because I know that Brown cares a lot about personality, not just numbers.</p>

<p>Do I even have a shot with my relatively LOW GPA? </p>

<p>Thanks SO much to anyone who reads this. Sorry I wrote so much, I just really need some outside perspective. Thanks a TON!</p>

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<p>I got in with a 3.8, I know many people who got in with 3.7 or even a little lower. But if you have a lower GPA you need to really impress with your ECs and Essays. </p>

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<p>No need to worry about this. If someone mentions National Honor Society on their distinctions it means they don’t have much else to mention. If I were an admissions officer I would not look for this.</p>

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Finishing two languages at the AP level is not enough of a hook - expressing your love of other cultures in your essays, placing 3rd on national exams, and succeeding in essay and speech contests is. </p>

<p>Your extracurriculars and work experience are strong, so I’d recommend emphasizing yourself as a community organizer or entrepreneur.</p>

<p>Ultimately I would say you have a decent chance at Brown - what determines your decision likely will not be your GPA, but how impressed they are by your ECs and essays. So don’t worry about your numbers, so much as how to present a strong, coherent you through your ECs and essays.</p>

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<p>thank you so much! that is extremely contructive advice. i really appreciate your time :slight_smile:
do you mind my asking what your “hook” was?</p>

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<p>Language was also really important to my application. I only take one language, but I placed in the national essay and speech contests. I also TA for a 3rd year class of this language - my teacher wrote one of my recs. My commonapp was about coming together through language with two roommates from the middleast and how language is empathy.</p>

<p>I was in a similar position last February - lots of things I was passionate but unsure about how to convey it. You’ve still got plenty of time but really think what defines you and focus on that.</p>