Chance me Please!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey all, </p>

<p>I'm currently a Senior (Class of 2014) at a competitive high school located in a suburb north of Chicago. I am applying to Northwestern University, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Michigan, Vanderbilt, Tulane, University of Virginia, Brown, and possibly UPenn, although I don't think I have much chance of getting in there.
(I'll be applying as either a Biomedical or Mechanical Engineering major.)</p>

<p>Some demographic info:
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: White
Income: >$250,000</p>

<p>Statistics:
GPA: 4.09 W, 3.62 UW
School doesn't have class rank anymore, but I was in the top 20% prior to the removal of class rank
SAT: 2070
SAT II: Taking Math II and Physics in October.
ACT: 33 (34 English, 34 Mathematics, 31 Reading, 33 Science)
SuperScored: 34 (36 English, 34 Mathematics, 33 Reading, 33 Science)</p>

<p>AP's from junior year:
AP Physics C Mechanics (My school has a science program where we take Physics C and AP Chemistry over our junior and senior years. The Mechanics test is taken junior year, whereas the Chemistry test and Physics C Electricity and Magnetism tests are taken senior year)
AP English Language and Composition
AP United States History
Exam Scores:
Physics C Mechanics: 4
AP US History: 4
AP Lang and Comp: 3</p>

<p>Class load for Senior Year:
AP English Literature and Composition
AP French Language and Culture
AP Chemistry (Read junior AP courses)
AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism (Read Junior AP course)
AP Calculus BC
Honors Economics (We don't have AP at our school, although I may take the exam in May)</p>

<p>Sports/Clubs @ School (With senior year projections):
2 Years of Junior Varsity Soccer - stopped playing due to a hamstring injury.
3 Years of Peer Jury/Restorative Justice program - Will be in a leadership position as one of 4 seniors in the program.
3 Years of Best Buddies - 2 years as an associate buddy, and 1 year as a peer buddy (senior year). I am a board member this year.
2 Years of participation in the TEAMS Junior Engineering Competition - I was a co team captain this year as a junior, I am unsure of my role this year.</p>

<p>Other Extracurriculars (Without projections for senior year):
3 Years of a paid internship in a Molecular Biology lab at Northwestern University - I work over the summer for 30-40 hours a week as a research aide to a technician in the laboratory.
4 Years of volunteering service for Misericordia, a home for the disabled (Total 100 hours or so) - My brother currently lives here, and the volunteer work I do for the home is something that I am passionate about. I participate in fundraising mostly. If anyone on here is from the Chicago area, don't forget to donate money on Candy Days .
20 Hours of Habitat Restoration Work for the Cook County Forest Preserves.
Over 120 hours of volunteer service in coordination with my school's Best Buddies Chapter</p>

<p>Honors and such:
Sophomore Honors Society - Admitted 2012
National Honors Society, Lighthouse Chapter - Admitted 2013
Health Student of the Year Award 2012 - Only given to one student per Academic school year.
AP Scholar Award - 2013</p>

<p>Demonstrated Interest in WUSTL:
I visited the campus and interviewed with one of the admissions officers over spring break. The interview was a success in my opinion, as the admissions officer and I discussed my interest in prosthetics and engineering as well as my involvement in Peer Jury and Best Buddies. The admissions officer seemed genuinely impressed, but she could have just been a nice woman. I received a post card from the admissions officer within 2 weeks of visiting, if that means anything. I love the campus, and the students that I talked to during the engineering discussion were really kind and helpful during the tour of the Engineering School. </p>

<p>Demonstrated Interest in Northwestern:
I have gone on the campus tour a few times and attended information sessions for the general school and the McCormick School of Engineering. I have also worked at Northwestern for 3 years, but I'm not sure if that will help me much. Also, both of my parents have worked there for over 23 years, but I've been told that that may have a negative effect.</p>

<p>Also, I am planning on applying ED to either Northwestern or Wash U, but I can't choose between the two. Based on my statistics, which school would I be better off applying to Early? It's seriously a 50-50 split, I love them both equally.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance</p>

2

<p>ED northwestern: high Match</p>

<p>Chance me back (view my last post)</p>

3

<p>Will do AK</p>

4

<p>Bump. Any thoughts would really help me guys. I need to make this ED decision within the next couple of days. My school requires me to have my Nov. 1 applications completed by Oct. 14. Also, don’t be afraid to chance me for the other schools I have listed.</p>

5

<p>Your GPA is rather low for top schools. Your ACT is okay. I think UIUC would be your best match for in state although your uwGPA is below their engineering admission mid 50.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the input bill. Anyone else? Please?</p>

7

<p>I don’t know if this helps me at all, but I’m technically a first generation American as both of my parents are immigrants. I guess it’s another factor into my profile, albeit a very small one.</p>

8

<p>“You ACT is okay.” I think it’s a great score.</p>

9

<p>The highest match on the list is potentially u-mich. A target school for you is UIUC. Overall great scores</p>

10

<p>Considering the mid 50 of 31-34 for UIUC engineering, 33 is a fine score. I did not see UMich on your list, but it will be a low reach due to oos with low GPA. For UMich engineering, the mid 50 ACT is also 31-34 while the average uwGPA for admission is 3.9. UIUC is definitely your best bet.</p>

11

<p>Again, thank you all for your comments. What would my chances be for ED at Northwestern or Wash U? I know Wash U is BIG on demonstrated interest, but I am unsure on Northwestern.</p>

12

<p>For NU, you GPA may also hinder you. Only having good ACT score (33 is around the admission average) is not sufficient but you may give it a try. It would be better if you have good SAT2 or AP scores to support your application as your GPA is really below average.</p>

13

<p>Thanks again Bill. I agree, my GPA is low, but I know of a good number of people from my school that got in with similar grades and scores. Would my EC’s be considered strong, and would they help with an ED application?</p>

14

<p>Bump. Please help me out guys, all thoughts are appreciated.</p>

15

<p>bump10char</p>

16

<p>You do have good EC, in particular lab and research experience. Can that PI write you a recommendation? You know GPA does not have a universal standard. 3.6 at some school with certain rigorous course load may be even better than 4.0 of other school with moderate load. It seems you do have a moderate high load in junior, but your AP score does not support a very stringent grading system at your school. You need to be very careful when you compare with someone that has similar grade or score. Each student would have a different package in the application for holistic review. The admission stat would be a better reference as it averages out the other factors.</p>

17

<p>Northwestern University: High match
Washington University in St. Louis: Match
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Match
University of Michigan: Match
Vanderbilt: High match
Tulane: Low Reach
University of Virginia: Match
Brown: Reach
UPenn: Reach</p>

<p>Chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1559607-chances-getting-into-bu.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1559607-chances-getting-into-bu.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;