Chance Me? Low GPA for Yale, Duke, or U-Chicago.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Demographics:
First-generation American
First-generation college
Black female
Ethnicity- Ethiopian
Low-Income Background
Competitive Public High School

Stats:
ACT-35
SAT II: 800-Math II, 800-Literature, 800- US History
GPA Unweighted: 3.75**(refer to bottom)
GPA Weighted: 4.625
AP: Human Geo(4), Environmental Science(4), Language(5), US History(5), Statistics(5)

AP Classes by graduation: Human Geo, Environmental Sci, Language, US History, Statistics, Calc AB, Calc BC, Art History, Psychology, Literature, and Government

ECs:
-75 hours volunteering for Americans for Prosperity.
Promoted campaigns through the largest conservative organization in the US. Was pretty cool and enjoyed this, this is when I first started getting really interested in politics. Thought the idea of a conservative minority was playful.

-120 hours volunteering at Duke University Hospital System.
Helped manage/organize a high-risk OB-GYN clinic. Did a lot of paperwork and helped with management in the clinic. Sometimes sat in with Doctors and watched them conduct their jobs.

-Spent a summer in Germany volunteering at refugee hotspots and at orphanages that had a high refugee concentration. Worked especially with refugee teens and their mental struggles of being in a new country and the pressure from their parents to perform well (a struggle that I share). Wrote an article about this.

-Participated at Economics for Leaders Summer Program at Wake Forest University.
Pretty cool experience got close to a lot of the program leaders and people at the university.

-Part of the youth committee of a local Ethiopian community organization.
I help newly immigrated Ethiopian teens get adjusted to their life in America as well as get adjusted to the American school system.

-Very active in a club called DECA. It’s a business/marketing club.
VP and Historian of my school’s chapter. 3rd place Districts. Two-time State Finalist. 3rd Place States. Many more awards for recognition in testing and interview. Competed at the International level. Was part of the State Social Media Team and am an International Social Media Correspondent.

-Questbridge College Prep Scholar

NOTE** My UW GPA was a 3.9 until the last semester of junior year. My mother is bipolar and she had a lot of emotional triggers that caused me some trouble during the second semester. By the end of the semester, I was actually homeless for a little while and my mom also left the house. We’ve recently reconciled but I live in a very dysfunctional household.

Personal Note: I intend to major in American Studies, and go to law school after that. The awkward household structure, income background, and ethnic background have given me a strong interest in America and government. I really want to do American Studies because it encompasses everything of what it means to be American and American life. I know Yale has a good program so ultimately it’s my dream school.

Also if you guys have any idea on how I could make my application more feasible for any of the schools please drop them below!

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If you have sufficient course rigor and very strong test scores you could be competitive. Essays will be important and the caliber of ECs

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I would like to give you some feedback since I am in the exact same boat as you, with a 3.75 UW GPA (sophomore year messed it up though, not junior year). My weighted GPA is a bit better though, at about 4.2, so I’m not sure if that will help my chances. Overall, I will say that a 3.75 GPA will not help you at all, but to know if you really stand a chance still at this point, I would have to know your W GPA, test scores, and ECs. You may still have a chance, if these stats are way better than your GPA. To know what I mean, you can look at my chance post which includes details about my UW and W GPA, my test scores, and my ECs. Many people have left comments on there as well so you can refer to them to estimate your chances. Here is the link to my post: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1995754-chance-me-low-gpa-rank-cornell-rice-wash-u-ucla-etc-p1.html

You definitely should NOT give up yet, since your other stats may be outstanding compared to other ivy league applicants and could indeed overshadow (at least a little bit) your GPA. Just refer to my post so you have a better idea of where you stand, and if you do not mind, please do leave a comment with your own feedback on my stats. Good luck!

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@tripledouble2000 @Wje9164be @VANDEMORY1342 My ethnicity is Ethiopian-American. I was born in the USA but my parents are immigrants of Ethiopia. I’m also first-generation for college and am a female.
STATS:
ACT-35
SAT II: 800 on Math II, Literature, and US History
Weighted GPA: 4.625
any other stats you guys need?

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Oh and I also did JV Lacrosse for 2 years

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We certainly do not need 4 threads for this… But that aside, I think you can be competitive if you explained your situation in your essay or/and have your guidance counselor write about it in her letter.

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Your ACT score of 35 and being both first generation and a URM help a lot. My D had a 3.78 UW GPA be s 36 when applying 3 years ago. Your chances improve as the UW GPA approaches 4.0 but with more information now, your odds at Duke are good. Chicago is hard to predict. Your stats are high enough for strong consideration anywhere. A focused strategy with no more than 3 or 4 reached and very strong essays will make a big difference

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@beezkneez1 You will do fine this app season Resist the urge to talk about your dip in grades in any of your essays. Apply to UChicago early if you really like the school.However you do know its one of the most difficult schools in the world. Apply to one of the reach schools early, and write great essays. TBH I would apply to Duke early just so you wont get shut out during RD.

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As of now your academic stats are pretty good, and you seem like a competitive applicant. Your status as 1st gen and URM will also help you. I say you are a very solid applicant, but again I can’t be sure without knowing your ECs. Good luck!

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@trippledouble2000 http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1999797-chance-me-low-gpa-for-yale-duke-or-u-chicago.html#latest here’s a link with my ECs thanks!

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Numbers you posted imply about a 3.0 for the second semester. Straight B’s, or anything worse? Any extenuating circumstances?

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@tdy123 check the link mentioned above! It mentions my circumstance. Thanks!

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@Alllviiinnn Thanks for the feedback!

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@beezkneez1 I read the info in the link. You’ve performed remarkably well under very difficult circumstances. One difficulty for all public school students is that colleges place a fair amount of weight on the Guidance Councillor recommendation, and GC’s in public schools often are responsible for many students and have little time to develop a personal understanding of the student’s particular situation that they can highlight in their recommendation. I’d suggest doing everything you can to develop a relationship with your GC, and when you meet with the GC to discuss your college list and their recommendation, bring a letter detailing your particular situation highlighting both your accomplishments and the difficult challenges you’ve faced. It isn’t uncommon for students to make excuses for lapses in their transcripts, so colleges are much more confident in the veracity of explanations when they are confirmed by a GC report.

I think you have a better than average shot at Yale and based on what you’ve written, the fit would be perfect. The student’s are politically engaged and vocal - primarily left leaning, but with a strong conservative presence (WF Buckley program.) They love very bright kids with an interest in politics/government/public service. (Son is at Yale)

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?

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You’re going to be competitive for any school. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got into two of the three schools you listed here. Make sure you get straight As first semester of senior year and write some creative essays

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@doorrealthe thanks! means a lot!

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Okay, thank you so much! @tdy123

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when you say first gen, do you mean your parents didn’t go to college at all or they went in Ethopia but not here? If they didn’t go to college of any kind, that’s a big hook these days, so I’d say you are in very good shape for the top schools you’re considering. If you do have a first choice, apply there early, it will help. Good luck!

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they did not go to college at all, and thank you! @thelonliestmonk