Chance me for my schools, please (UIUC, CMU, UCincinnati, Pomona, etc.)!

<p>To prelude, I'm not the best student. I have my fair share of mistakes and dumb decisions, but I am striving to move forward and improve myself. I am hoping that colleges will see that when considering me as a prospective student. While I have a more realistic list of schools to which I am more likely to be accepted, I would appreciate an opinion on my dream schools.</p>

<p>My primary major will be a branch of design, depending on the school and which programs it offers. More specifically, I am leaning towards commercial/industrial design, product design, illustration, graphic design, etc. I've been struggling with soul-searching, but I am very interested in economics, marketing, political science, international relations, and anthropology. They're all different, I'm aware, but I at least would like to have the option for interdiscplinary studies.</p>

<p>While I think my portfolio is solid, my stats and extra curricular activities are weak. I will have good recommendation letters and a good personal statement. That being said, please chance me for:</p>

<p>University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Pomona College
Syracuse University
The New School (Economics; I am applying to both The New School and Parsons Design)
University of Cincinnati
Carnegie Mellon University
Boston University
Brown University/University of Pennsylvania (should I just take these off my list?)</p>

<p>I really loved Georgetown, Boston College, and New York University when I visited while in the areas, but unfortunately, they don't have my major. I'd appreciate suggestions of schools that have good departments for both art and non-art related subjects. </p>

<p>Chinese/Female/East coast
2100 SAT score (retaking in October)
750 SAT United States History
700 SAT Math II</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Honors/AP
Chem Honors
UW 3.5/3.67
W 3.67/3.83</p>

<p>Junior Year Honors/AP
AP United States History
American Literature Honors
UW 3.67/3.83
W 4.0/4.16</p>

<p>I have taken Sociology 1, Psychology 1, Cultural Anthropology, and Intro to Art History at my local community college. I have gotten A's in all those classes.</p>

<p>Senior Year AP Coursework
AP Literature
AP Government
AP Economics
AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
Design Editor of Yearbook (Won 1 CSPA award, 2 yrs)
Treasurer of Chinese Club (1 yr)
President of Chinese Club (1 yr)
Treasurer of Class Council (1 yr)
Vice President of Class Council (1 yr)
President of Class Council (1 yr)
Volunteer at local church (6 yrs)
Volunteer at soup kitchen (1 yr)
Creative Advertisement Associate at small marketing/design firm</p>

<p>NOTE: I have been suspended once. During my freshman year, I was angry with a student and wrote a post about her on my blog. It was immature, dumb, and mean. I have since come a long way, and I think that shows in my app, esp. through my leadership positions.</p>

<p>I recognize that the schools listed are very high reaches for me, but I'd like some advice anyway. Cheers.</p>

<p>Brown: Reach
UPenn: High reach
Pomona: High reach
CMU: Reach
UCinn: Match (quite a big split)
Syracuse: Match
BU: Match/High match
Parsons: Low match
UIUC: Match/High match (poor financial aid)</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply! Should I just take UPenn and Pomona off my list entirely? I don’t want to spend money on apps for unrealistic reaches.</p>

<p>Bump! I appreciate any/all advice given. :)</p>

<p>UCinn is a big split since you have a comparatively high SAT score compared to your GPA (by DAAP standards)</p>

<p>Ah, thanks, I was unsure what that meant. Will they look at my weighted GPA and course rigor or only unweighted GPA?</p>

<p>UC/DAAP only looks at unweighted averages. I’ve read some of your other posts/“chance me” requests. It looks like grades are strong and AP course load shows initiative for Sr. Year. Unfortunately UC also does not look at portfolios…so write an honest, personal kick-@$$ essay that stresses both creativity (design award/s) and work ethic. The workload in DAAP is beyond rigorous, and they are looking for students with strong commitment. This likely goes for any of the schools on your list. GOOD LUCK !</p>