<p>Hi, Im really interested in applying to Brown for going into journalism, so I would like to see what I need to increase my chance of getting accepted…</p>
<p>GPA: 4.2/4.3 out of 4.51 (Top 25 in Class)
PSATs: 196/240
SATs: Taking them in June, first time taking them</p>
<p>Classes:
- Freshman - Honors Geometry, Honors English, Honors Biology, Honors History, Honors Spanish, Journalism
- Sophomore - Honors Algebra 2, Honors English, Honors Chemistry, Honors History, Honors Spanish, AP European History (First Non Senior in school history to ever take it, had an A minus as final grade) 4/5 on AP
- Junior - Honors Pre Calculus, Honors Spanish, Honors Physics, AP US History, AP Language and Composition
- Senior - AP Spanish, AP Biology, AP Government and Politics, AP Literature, Journalism, Satire, Creative Writing</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
- Golf Team (All Four Years, JV and Varsity)
- Debate Team (All Four Years, Captain Senior Year)
- Musicals/Drama Productions: (All Four Years, all 8 shows)
- Talisman (All Four years, All male acapella group)
- FWHS Focus, school newspaper (All Four Years: Writer, Section Editor, Editor in Chief)</p>
<p>Volunteer:
- Community Theater (7th Grade to 12th Grade, over 1250 hours)
- Boys and Girls Club (7th Grade to 12th Grade, not sure how many hours)
- First Tee Golf Program (5th Grade to 12th Grade, not sure how many hours)</p>
<p>I hope this summer to get a internship at our towns newspaper.
Tell me what I should do! Or if I forgot anything, just let me know!</p>
<p>Cant chance without an SAT score. To be competitive though, you need at least a solid 2200.</p>
<p>You need at least 2 SAT Subject tests as well</p>
<p>Ok what subject tests should I take? And should any other aspect of my transcript be addressed?</p>
<p>I’d admit you. You sound like you follow through and do all the things they do at an Ivy League. test and retest: scores can never be too high. but I’m just a parent.</p>
<p>Cortana431: I took a practice SAT, not the PSAT’s but like a legitimate practice… and I got a 2150… Would that help?</p>
<p>2150 won’t necessarily hurt, but it won’t really help either. The thing is, you are a solid, good candidate, but nothing stands out. And for colleges with admissions rates below 10-15%, standing out is important. As a somewhat average Brown candidate, it would hurt to have “average” (for Brown) tests scores. So, your test scores being high can only help. </p>
<p>As for subject tests, take whatever you can do the best in. They should be 750+. </p>
<p>The other thing I see is a lack of APs. Does your school offer more than 2 APs to juniors? For Brown, you should have the most rigourous course schedule available to you. If only two APs are available, you’re fine. If more are available, that will hurt you.</p>
<p>They do offer more than just two, but most just don’t interest me… I could take AP statistics, but I don’t want to pursue math so I don’t see the need to take it, and I could take AP Chemistry but I had a new teacher this year, so my guidance counselor recommended not taking it</p>
<p>That’s definitely gonna hurt you. You have to take advanced classes regardless of if you wanna go into them. Most ivy admits take AP in all their core classes (if available), unless they have a hook (URM, legacy, recruited athlete).</p>
<p>Is brown your #1 choice? If so, consider applying ED, if your finances are in order and you can afford it.</p>
<p>What is a URM? and I don’t really have a #1 choice, my top 3 are Brown, Georgetown, and Columbia, and I will have taken AP’s in all core subjects in senior year, is that what would work?</p>
<p>URM = under represented minority ie Native American, Hispanic, African American, etc. </p>
<p>Top colleges want the most difficult schedule possible. When your guidance counselor does their part of your app, they will have the choice to check off “rigorous” or “most rigorous” with regards to your schedule. You want most rigorous. So not taking all APs possible will hurt, regardless of if you’ve taken APs in all core subjects. </p>
<p>Georgetown will want 3 SAT Subject Tests. </p>
<p>By all means, apply to your top choices. You’re definitely a competitive applicant. But lack of APs will hurt you, so make sure you have matches/safeties you love too (this goes for everyone).</p>
<p>Oh okay I am hispanic… My mother was the first one in her family to get a college degree in USA… my grandparents moved here the year before she was born… but my dad is white so Im not 100%… and I wish I could fit more AP’s… my schedule is so tightly packed that I have literally no free periods next year… and should the Subject tests be related in any way?</p>
<p>First generation only matters if YOU are first gen, not your parents. But Hispanic will help. Did you check Hispanic on your PSAT? You only have to be 25% so you are good. That helps. </p>
<p>Your schedule for next year looks good, it’s just junior year that is a little light. </p>
<p>For the subject tests, try to gear them toward your major, but it’s also good to have them in a few subjects. So basically anything goes. A good way to go is a humanities, a science, and math 2. But that’s not necessary, just take whatever you can do well in. High scores are more important than what they’re in.</p>
<p>Oh okay and yeah I did check hispanic… and I’m not just one of those people who check it to help get into college, I actually do feel that its my race and heritage… and thank you so much you have been a great help!</p>
<p>And just to let you know, Im a sophomore, thats why I haven’t taken the SAT’s… we have to figure out what our schedules are for the next two years each year at my school, so thats why I know what classes I am taking senior year</p>
<p>If you get 2150+ on the real thing, your URM hook could get you in. If it’s your first choice, and you can afford it, apply ED.</p>
<p>Oh okay. I would highly suggest that you add a third AP next year. </p>
<p>If you’re getting a 2150 right now, you’re in good shape to get a 2300+ your junior year, so that’s really good. </p>
<p>Make sure you check Hispanic again next year on the PSAT do you can be NHR. </p>
<p>I agree with Stud, as an URM you’re in good shape. You still have over a year to think about it, but I would highly recommend picking your favorite and applying ED.</p>
<p>Ok I’m still new to the application process but does ED not allow you to apply for financial aid?</p>
<p>Of course it allows you to apply for financial aid. What it doesn’t do is allow you to compare aid offers. Most kids accepted to ivy league schools will also receive full tuition scholarships. Because most kids at ivy league schools are paying at least some of their tuition, it is more expensive for them than a free tuition scholarship. </p>
<p>You can calculate an approximate award for your family with Brown’s financial aid calculator to determine if you can commit to paying that. If you can, apply ED. If not, make sure you apply to lower ranked schools where you will get merit aid. </p>
<p>If you are accepted ED and your financial aid offer is less than expected and is unaffordable, then you can pull out of the ED contract and apply to other schools RD.</p>
<p>Oh okay I understand, thanks so much!</p>