<p>Essays:
Well written. One was about overcoming hardships, including a disability, and the other I don't remember.</p>
<p>Interview:
Nailed both of them. Both interviewers loved me, but the Yale interviewer really liked me. I have at least a 7 or 8, maybe even 9 from Yale. As for Brown, I did well, but not as good as Yale's interview. I'm a Physics major and really came off as someone who's passionate about it. I've heard they count for 1% of the decision, but am not sure if that's true. Are they really that unimportant? </p>
<p>I understand my chances are slim, but how slim?</p>
<p>Long story, but I had one shot at the ACT with little preparation and because of that, had major test anxiety. I’m lucky I did that well. This is for the 2010 year, so everything is set in stone.</p>
<p>You did not share your race/ethnicity. Assuming you’re unhooked, you have a very low chance with that ACT score.</p>
<p>I do not understand how you only had one shot at the ACT, why you could not take the SAT, or why you were unable to sufficiently prepare. Your score will be a major obstacle. Such a low score will bring into question the value of your grades, given that the ACT is predominately achievement-based.</p>
<p>White. Half European half Middle Eastern. Once again, one shot, barely any time. No need for a story, because they haven’t heard it either. The 26… Math anxiety. It happens when you’re a wreck when taking a test. Normally I ace tests. This was my one exception. I’m in honors pre-calc, so I really shouldn’t have done so poorly.</p>
<p>Does anyone have a percentage? Why would one thing, the least important academic achievement, completely kill an app?</p>
<p>Though not as much so as grades, standardized testing is very important. One needs to be solid in both respects to have a good shot – then it comes down to the subjective factors.</p>
<p>Did you take any SAT Subject Tests? Most prospective physics majors aiming at top schools are, at the very least, in Differential Equations or Multivariate Calculus by their senior year and have aced the SAT Math section and the Subject Tests in Math Level 2 and Physics.</p>
<p>The average acceptance rate at Yale for unhooked applicants with SAT scores around 1940 (which is an optimistic concordance for 29) is probably around 1%.</p>
<p>UCB -match
UCLA -match
Stanford -reach
Yale -reach
Brown -reach</p>
<p>I’ll tell you the truth–even with an amazing ACT score, it wouldn’t be a match. These colleges get a ridiculous amount of valedictorians, and you don’t seem too special for them. Your ECs aren’t incredibly impressive. But I still wish you good luck!</p>
<p>Agreed. It sucks, but that 29 SAT chance guarantees you a very slim, tiny chance. I wouldn’t get your hopes up on either Yale or Brown if I were you (sorry to be harsh!) Ditto for Stanford. I think you’re solid for UCLA and UCB though.</p>
<p>I seriously hope you get in dogwood. One so that you can prove to some of these people that an ACT of 29 is not all that bad and two so that your hard work pays off. The ACT is low, yes, but it still is a good score. BTW physics major with a 26 in math?</p>
<p>Although I find the distinctions of “high reach,” “low reach,” and the like to be highly subjective and therefore generally unhelpful, I cannot imagine a reasonable system of chancing in which anything but “high reach” would be applicable here.</p>
<p>Unless, of course, the capitalization of “high” has semantic significance. :)</p>