Chance me for Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, and others! Thank you!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Thanks for doing this! I’m super anxious about this whole college process even though it’s right around the corner. If you chance me, I’ll chance you back! :slight_smile:

INFO

  • I am a rising senior at a nationally ranked public school in a Chicago suburb
  • Although my school doesn’t rank, I’m sure I’d be somewhere in the top 10% (I really have no clue because we don’t rank)
  • I plan on either majoring in English/minor in Economics then going into law OR majoring in something business related so that I can go into marketing
  • I’m thinking about applying to:
    Harvard
    Princeton
    Columbia
    University of Chicago
    University of Southern California
    UCLA
    University of Texas (Austin)
    NYU
    Fordham
    Howard
    DePaul
    Pepperdine
    Stanford
    Yale
    Dartmouth
    (1. I need to narrow this down a bit soon, but whatever. 2. I know these are some highly selective schools for the most part, but I’m not worried about Pepperdine, DePaul, or Howard)
  • Once again a lot are reach schools, but I still have a little time to improve
  • SAT II: Literature- 710 (I need to take one or two more in the fall/retake this test)
  • Class Rank - My school doesn't rank
  • ACT- 32C, 31M, 35R, 34W, 28S
  • GPA: 4.385 W and 3.8 UW - I'm pretty sure my GPA will increase this year because my classes won't be too hard (but still AP)
  • APs Taken: AP Human Geo- 5, APUSH- 4, AP Lang & Comp- 5 (My school didn't let us take any Freshman/Sophomore year, but I took honors)
  • Senior Courses: AP Stats, AP Environmental Science, AP English 4, AP Spanish 4, Newspaper, PE, Gov/Consumer Econ

EXTRACURRICULARS N STUFF
Entertainment Editor of school newspaper
EIC/President of Literary Magazine
Beta Club member
VP of Freshman Class
Professional Magazine Internship (I have a few published articles with them)
Producer/Co-director of documentary covering a serious social topic (set to be released in late August–We’re definitely going to win a few big awards. We’ve worked really hard and it looks GREAT so far. I am soo excited. Took a lot of research and reaching out to organizations and stuff)
I run a blog
I’ve published a book and I’m writing another right now
Student Government Chairperson
I’ve had 2 part-time jobs
I won 2 2nd Place awards for a short story and poetry in a program for African American students in my area
I’m fluent in Spanish
Key Club member

VOLUNTEERING
I volunteered in Costa Rica (Painting schools, planting gardens, babysitting at a daycare, etc.–it was also language/cultural immersion)
Christmas caroling for sick children and elderly in hospitals
Labeling food cans for local food pantry
Other cool opportunities through key club and student government

Family Income: 100k+
Family of 5 - I have two other siblings
African American female
Both parents went to college (my dad has PhD–he’s a professor, my mom has masters–she’s a nurse)
Teacher LoR should be great. My Sophomore English teacher LOVES me and my math teacher Junior year was a fantastic guy and he liked me.
Counselor LoR- Pretty good. I made sure to visit him quite often so that I am set a part from the other hundreds of students he services. He thinks I’m a good student, so it should be a nice letter.

Please chance me, and I’ll be sure to chance you back! I hope your feedback calms my nerves at least a bit. Thanks everyone! :wink:

2

I would say that you’ve got a pretty good shot at most of the schools on your list especially because you’re an URM. However, all the Ivy’s on your list are reaches, like they are for everyone, except Dartmouth (low reach). Your documentary is definitely unique, and if it gains the recognition/awards you predict, that could definitely set you apart. Regardless, I could see you getting into at least a few of the top-tier schools on your list.

On another note, I’d try to avoid listing all the volunteer work you’ve done if they’re not consistent activities. I’m not sure how many times you caroled or helped out at the food pantry, but if they were short, one-time events, I wouldn’t put them down (seems like you’re just trying to pad your app with a lot of little things). This is more of a personal thing, though, so take it with a grain of salt if you don’t agree.

Good luck! Chance me back? http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1796894-chance-me-for-stanford-columbia-etc.html#latest

3

your achievements outside of the classroom sound second to none! Very impressed! Be careful with an english major, they’re not the most applicable to the real world, and don’t worry you’ll do lenity of writing in your other classes. I know Fordham has a great business program. Def apply to UCLA - the UCs love out-of-state kids lately. Your grades are really solid, but id still say the Ivies, UChicago, and Stanford are reaches - but aren’t they for all of us? looks like you’d have a great chance at any of those other schools though!