Demographics: White male in NC. Middle class. lower-income public school/city in NC. Medical condition that may serve as a hook (don’t want to reveal too much personal details here).
Intended Major(s): Most likely applying as humanities major, interested in in entertainment / film management.
SAT: 1440 (780 english 660 math)
GPA: 3.67 uw, 4.02 w (will go up after this semester) – weak, I know
APs: Completed 5 so far, 4s and 5s on almost all
PLTW: Engineering program at my school, 4 AP-weighted courses, scored high on every EOC exam
Extracurriculars: Maybe the strongest part of my application. Large spikes in both filmmaking/media and the humanities. Film activities include freelance work, internships, selective learning programs. Humanities: Governor’s School, founder of Philosophy Club at my school, head editor for school newspaper. Cross country all 4 years.
Essay: 7-8/10 still working on it. Definitely interesting and supplements my application well.
The GPA isn’t competitive enough for a school like Brown. You’re application will likely get tossed in the recycle bin. If I were you, I’d just let them go and focus on some good affordable schools in your area. You’re also eligible for some pretty decent scholarships. Here’s a link for University of Alabama.
A medical condition is not a hook. A hook is a reason a college will want one particular person above others with similar qualifications. A person with a hook fulfills an institutional need of the school. Some examples of hooks include a recruited football player, a person whose parent is a huge donor, a person who might bring positive publicity to a college (ex. Malala). A medical condition is not a hook because Brown has no pressing need to have a person on campus with every particular illness. If you had a true hook you would know it.
That said, your stats look somewhat low for Brown – google the school’s common data set, look at section C, and check for yourself… If you want to apply, go ahead and give it your all. Just be sure to also have match and safety schools on your application list that appear affordable (run net price calculators) and that you would be excited to attend.
How competitive is your school? Is your GPA considered good there? Are you in NHS? Ik your #s are low but if thats because you’ve been challenged then it is very understandable.
If you like the school, I say apply no matter what. Can’t say you didn’t try!
As the parent of a kid with medical conditions, I am kind of horrified that you see a medical issue as a hook. It is true that some young people will write an essay on that, to show their resilience. I was proud of my kid for not doing that, actually. My kid did have to explain some absences from school, a couple of online courses, that kind of thing, that resulted from the medical issues. I guess you are thinking of illness as “an obstacle to overcome” which is something the Ivies tout as what they are looking for. Ugh.
Anyway, make sure you register with the Office of Disabilities wherever you end up and get accommodations. Did you need accommodations for the SAT? And make sure to pay for tuition refund insurance.
For film, there are other great options. Check out Emerson in Boston, or BU. Bennington might be a possibility. Maybe go to the majors forum to ask about schools. There are lots of artsy liberal arts colleges.
No harm in trying with Brown. Their admissions can be quirky. You could submit an arts supplement with an example of your work, an arts resume, and a letter of recommendation specifically geared to your film work. If your level of talent or accomplishment warrants it.
But keep your expectations very low and find other schools you like.