Chance Me, Please...aspiring for too much, I think (it's updated a bit)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Whoever will read this all, and can give me a thorough, honest opinion, I thank you and love you beyond belief.</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Age: 16 (one year behind everyone else in my class)
Ethnicity: Asian American (Chinese)
Region: Eastern Washington...we kind of suck
School: Regionally large-sized school with approximately 2000 students; best last year went to Northwestern and Caroll, year before fostered University of Virginia, NYU, and Emory</p>

<p>GPA Unweighted: 3.77
GPA Weighted: 4.0
Class Rank: Top 10-15%</p>

<p>Courseload:
Freshman (9): 14 Classes
- Pre-AP Freshman Language Arts I and II (Honors equivalent) (A,A)
- Pre-AP Coordinated Science I and II (Honors equivalent) (A,A)
- CMIC Algebra/Geometry I and II (horrible, horrible math curriculum...) (A-,A)
- French I and II (A,A)
- Concert Band (two semesters) (A,A)
- Health and Physical Wellness (A)
- Global Studies (A)
- Jazz Band (two semesters) (A,A)</p>

<p>Sophomore (10): 13 Classes
- AP United States History I and II (A,A)
- Pre-AP Sophomore Language Arts I and II (Honors equivalent) (A-,A)
- Chemistry I and II (A-,B)
- CMIC Algebra/Trigonometry I and II (A,A)
- French III and IV (A,A)
- Introduction to Business and Marketing (A-)
- Geography (A-)
- Chamber Orchestra (one semester) (A)</p>

<p>Summer Skills Center (10.5):
- Computer Graphics Design (A)
- Computer Programming (A)</p>

<p>Junior (11): 14 classes (my god, this was HELL)
- AP Calculus AB I and II (B-,B+)
- AP Biology I and II (B-,B)
- AP English Language and Composition (A-,A)
- AP Physics C: Mechanics I and II (B-,A-)
- French V and VI (college-level) (A,A)
- Anatomy and Sports Medicine (A-,B+)
- Chamber Orchestra (two semesters)</p>

<p>Senior (12): 14 classes
- AP Statistics I and II
- AP U.S. Government I and II
- AP English Literature I and II
- AP European History I and II
- French VII and VIII (college-level) (this will actually be AP French Language...it just hasn't been passed through the CollegeBoard)
- Advanced Business and Marketing
- Chamber Orchestra (two semesters)</p>

<p>March SAT I score: 2100 (retake in October)
- Reading: 660
- Writing: 670 (8 out of 12 on the essay cause I straddled the fence)
- Mathematics: 770 (missed only one question)
SAT II scores: 2100/2400
- May Biology E: 680
- May Mathematics Level 1: 720
- June US History: 700
Taking US History, Math 2, and World History in November</p>

<p>Taking ACT in September...do not know why I didn't take it earlier</p>

<p>AP Exam Scores: 3.875 Average
- 2007 US History: 5
- 2008 Physics C: Mechanics: 2
- 2008 Calculus AB: 4
- 2008 English Language and Composition: 4
- 2008 Biology: 4</p>

<p>Prospective AP tests for 2009:
- AP Statistics
- AP European History
- AP English Literature
- AP U.S. Government
- AP World History (w/out class)
- AP Chinese Language (w/out class)
- AP French Language (w/out class...sort of)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
- National Honor Society: Been active member for three years, was instated spring of freshman year (as early as possible), and have ran and lost campaign for office twice: once for Vice President in 2007, and once for treasurer and president in 2008. Have gotten two Academic Letter Awards as a result of hard work in academics and through Honor Society. Will continue to be active with Honor Society activities and service projects (Toys for Tots, Cancer Walk-A-Thon, etc.) throughout senior year
- DECA: Active member in sophomore year, taking third place at the Regional DECA Competition in Business Law and Ethics and qualifying for the State Conference. Could not join in junior year due to lack of a business/marketing class on schedule. Will return in senior year.
- Youth Commission: Helped initiate my city's youth commission, and served on its Executive Board sophomore year. Resigned the position in junior, but still remaining active, I will return to the Board senior year as Chairman of the commission. The Youth Commission has organized many local events, and has participated in many service projects, including, but not limited to, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, local Battle of the Bands, local All Fool's Easter Egg Hunt, and local Kiwanis club. Earned the Chase Youth Award for dedicated service in 2007 and 2008.
- Hospital: Regularly volunteer at local hospital since June 2008 (ever since I had time, really). Am acknowledged as one of the most prompt, respective, and hard-working volunteers.
- Library: Former regular volunteer at local library since freshman year. Had to drop due to schedule conflicts
- ASM Materials Science Camp 2008: Participated at the Seattle camp in the University of Washington campus in July 2008. Worked with Boeing engineers on carbon-fiber reinforced polymer projects, and am intending to finish some of those projects in an Intel/Siemens Talent Search Project
- Knowledge Bowl: Active participant since sophomore year. Competed at Junior Varsity level in sophomore year and placed sixth in league (out of thirty-ish). Captained second varsity team, finished sixth in league (out of twenty or so), and competed with varsity team at regional and state competitions (second in regionals, out of 42, and sixth in state, out of a lot more). Most likely will captain or co-captain Varsity team next year.
- Newspaper: Am now in an internship as a sports/arts/entertainment journalist for the local paper. In training...but about to get a Pulitzer!! kidding...but my writing skills are considered to be very good by my teachers, peers, and mentors...so, who knows?</p>

<p>Music:
- Violin: Have studied violin since fifth grade. Attained a silver medal in Level 1 Concerto Division in Musicfest Northwest 2007, and two silver medals in Level 3 Solo Division and Level 3 Sonata Division in Musicfest 2008. Attained third place in EWMEA Solo/Ensemble Solo Violin Division 2007, and second place in EWMEA Solo/Ensemble Solo Violin Division 2008
- Spokane Youth Symphony: Active participant in the symphony since eighth grade. First violin in the Junior Symphonic Orchestra until upgrading to the Spokane Youth Orchestra second violin section by sophomore year. High chance of making high first violin section in upcoming school year.
- Chamber Orchestra: Part of original school chamber orchestra in 2007, and served as Assistant Concertmaster since Fall 2007. Instated as concertmaster June 2008, and am planning various events to make orchestra the best in Eastern Washington. The Chamber took third place at the EWMEA Solo/Ensemble Large String Group in 2007, and took second place at the EWMEA Solo/Ensemble Large String Group in 2008
- Clarinet: Studied for three years in middle school concert band. Principal chair at three different schools.
- Alto Saxophone: Studied for one year in high school concert band and jazz band. Principal chair in concert band, and assistant principal second saxophone in jazz band.</p>

<p>Athletics:
- Track and Field: Active athlete ever since seventh grade. Attained varsity status in eighth grade, but injury left me out of All-League competition. Junior varsity status until sophomore year, where I was bubble varsity in 110m hurdles. Returned to junior varsity in junior year due to minor injury and academics. Eighth place at the Greater Spokane League Junior Varsity Championships 2007 in the 110m High Hurdles.
- Cross Country: Active athlete in sophomore year, achieving junior varsity status. Dropped in junior year for sake of academics, but will most likely return for fall season in senior year.</p>

<p>Work Experience:
- Lifeguarding: Currently am taking a lifeguarding course through the YMCA. Will start lifeguarding August 2008
- Retail Marketing: Have applied and interviewed at the local Aeropostale. Most likely will get the job, and will start late July 2008</p>

<p>Essays:
Very happy with what I have now. Will continue to edit and cut, but my readers have considered them to be nothing short of phenomenal, except that they're too long. They should be very good</p>

<p>That's kind of it...I probably forgot something big and will add it later...but for now, could you give me some good advice? Thanks. My prospective schools:</p>

<p>Yale University
University of Chicago
Williams College
Pomona College
University of Washington
Washington State University
University of Southern California
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor</p>

<p>Any other suggestions for colleges would be well appreciated!!!</p>

2

<p>Hi I'm happy to help you ... but you can you chance me too? <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/538677-please-chance-me-i-d-really-really-appreciate.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/538677-please-chance-me-i-d-really-really-appreciate.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>First off, your grades are good, but not the best. You clearly have challenged yourself in classes, as you have take 12 APs. Your SAT score is good, but not great as well. Your SAT Subjects are decent. In addition, your ECs are highly impressive. </p>

<p>Overall, you're a pretty good student. </p>

<p>Chances:
-Yale - FAR reach
-Williams - FAR reach
-University of Chicago - slight reach
-Pomona College - Slight reach
-University of Washington - Safety match
-Washington State - In
-USC - Slight reach
-University of Michigan Ann Arbor OOS - Reach</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thanks, ab2013!! However, I've been told that out-of-state doesn't matter too much with the UMAH...but I could've been told wrong. Do you have any suggestions for other good schools?</p>

<p>And can someone else give a quick review? Thanks a bunch.</p>

4

<p>Hey again ... are you talking about University of Michigan - Ann Arbor... I've been told that admissions for OOS is similar to admission for the Ivy League or Top 15 schools. The situation for OOS students at UM is similar to that of UCB. At least, that's what I've been told. </p>

<p>For UM, because it's rolling, the earlier you apply, the better of a chance you'll get for admissions. So, my advice is to apply early action for UM.</p>

5

<p>Wow...same as Cal-Berkeley? JC...I might drop that one then...</p>

<p>ANYONE ELSE?! PLEASE?!?!</p>

6

<p>Anyone else have a chance?! I beg of you! Please!!</p>

7

<p>Yale University= High Reach
University of Chicago= Moderate Reach
Williams College= High Reach
Pomona College= moderate match/high match
University of Washington= Low match/moderate match
Washington State University= Safety
University of Southern California= Low Reach
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor= Low Reach</p>

8

<p>Yale University= High Reach
University of Chicago= Reach
Williams College= Reach
Pomona College= high match
University of Washington = Safety
Washington State University= Safety
University of Southern California= Low Reach
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor= Low Reach</p>

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<p>Yale- High Reach
Chicago-Reach
Williams College- High Match
Pomona College- Match
U. of Washington-Safety
WSU-Safety
USC-Match
U. of Michigan- Mid-High Match
Great ECs, improve those SATs and you'll have a much better shot at any of these schools. </p>

<p>I'm applying to Wharton. Could you chance me?
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/534608-applying-wharton-there-any-chance.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/534608-applying-wharton-there-any-chance.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Thanks Jman21, Poisonous, and aairzoom34!! Though it looks like there's some disagreement on Williams. What are they looking for? I'd much rather attend Chicago or Yale, but is Williams more on test scores, or extracurriculars?</p>

<p>And I'll take a look at your's aairzoom34. Thanks again.</p>

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<p>Does anyone else have any more opinions...? Please...? I'll gladly return chance...</p>

12

<p>Only 3% of all those admitted to Yale WERE NOT in the top 10% of their high school class.</p>

<p>Just something to think about.</p>

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<p>Wow...that dampers a bit of my self-esteem...thanks TheProtagonist. But really...thanks, cause too much good stuff will make me quite haughty.</p>

<p>Anyone else want to dash my dreams? ;)</p>

14

<p>Yale- Agree w/ TheProtagonist (Sorry!) = Impossible
Chicago-Reach
Williams College-Very High Reach
Pomona College-High Match
U. of Washington-Safety
WSU-Safety
USC-Match
U. of Michigan-Match</p>

<p>Your GPA is the killer for Yale and possibly for Williams and mainly because the drop occured your junior year; had your GPA risen steadily as you went along (even if you just managed to breach 3.80), you might still have a sliver of a chance at these tippy top schools. I can feel for you b/c I have a similar GPA problem, though it still puts me in the top 5% of my class. According to you, your school doesn't have a good rep w/ top colleges in the first place, so it would be hard for them to notice you if you're in the top 10-15% (this must hurt...sorry again!). Like so many others on this site and in general, you seem to have dedicated much of your effort on your ECs (which are very solid by the way), but have not given due attention to your grades and test scores. Unfortunately, Yale and schools of similar caliber have the luxury of choosing people w/ great ECs such as yours who also have top-notch academic stats. The best you can do is up your SATs and hope for the best w/ the rest of your schools. Chicago is your toughest challenge outside of Yale and Williams, but is feasible assuming you can put together some solid essays. The rest are within your range and will depend upon how you assemble your application and present yourself to their respective admissions reps. By the way, the University of Michigan does not discriminate to the extent that UC Berkeley does for OOS applicants. My school regularly sends students less qualified than yourself to U Michigan (and I'm in NJ). Finally, I'd appreciate it if you could take the time to chance me back: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/539705-yo-chance-dis-indian-kid.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/539705-yo-chance-dis-indian-kid.html&lt;/a>. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks, nj<em>azn</em>premed! Do you think it would colleges will take a look at my grades from first semester of senior year? Because my strengths lie in history and government, and the huge amounts of science classes last year took me down completely, but I should have no problem with my senior year. So, saying I got straight A's, would they still accept a new GPA to consider? Or no? And would...let's say...a 2350+ SAT put me back up to Yale and Williams caliber?</p>

<p>Oh...and can we add some colleges to the list? Some are still up there with the tops...just wanted to make sure:
- Brown University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Columbia University
- Whitman College
- Carleton College
- Reed College
- Claremont McKenna College</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

16

<p>Your hypothetical scenarios are very optimistic. Well, assuming you could achieve those stats, I'd say Williams might be more plausible but Yale would still probably be a no-go (in general, colleges put a lot more weight on junior year than on senior year). However, if you were to achieve those stats, your chances at the other schools you mentioned before would increase exponentially. As for your new colleges (and with the profile you have at present):</p>

<ul>
<li>Brown University - High Reach</li>
<li>University of Pennsylvania - High Reach</li>
<li>Columbia University - High Reach</li>
<li>Whitman College - Not sure</li>
<li>Carleton College - Match</li>
<li>Reed College - Safety</li>
<li>Claremont McKenna College - Not entirely sure, but perhaps a Match/Low Match</li>
</ul>

<p>Once again, I'd appreciate it if you could chance me back: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/539705-yo-chance-dis-indian-kid.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/539705-yo-chance-dis-indian-kid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>
[quote]
March SAT I score: 2100 (retake in October)
- Reading: 660
- Writing: 670 (8 out of 12 on the essay cause I straddled the fence)
- Mathematics: 770 (missed only one question)

[/quote]
Reed is a quirky fit school, a safety for no one. Your SAT scores and GPA say Match.</p>

<p>Also consider Grinnell and Oberlin.</p>

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<p>Ugh...not interested in Oberlin, no way. Grinnell...I'll take a look at them, but seems a bit obscure for me...isn't it it in Montana?</p>

<p>vossron, you're a senior member. Can you please give me a full-on analysis? And anyone else is welcome as well! ;) Thanks!!</p>

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<p>Chances:
-Yale - reach
-Williams -reach
-University of Chicago - low reach/match
-Pomona College - low reach/match
-University of Washington - Safety
-Washington State - Safety
-USC - low reach/match
-University of Michigan Ann Arbor OOS - Reach/match (if you were instate u would definitely get in! But you never know with OOS)
Brown University - low/medium reach
- University of Pennsylvania - low reach (write good essays)
- Columbia University - medium reach
- Whitman College - Not sure
- Carleton College - Match
- Reed College - Safety
- Claremont McKenna College - Not sure
You have excellent stats, please chance me.</p>

20

<p>Thanks, animefreakss5! But it seems a bit optimistic...I'd prefer bad news as an impetus, really. But nonetheless, thank you!</p>