Chance me - unique situation?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello guys, looking for a quick chance. I have a very unique situation. I have a low GPA and decent test scores, but a possibly strong EC and reason for my grades. Also, my grades are a upward trend of 3-5% per year since ninth grade. Currently a senior located in Pennsylvania (for OOS purposes).</p>

<p>My school doesn't use a GPA scale system, rather we use percents. My GPA freshman year was bad, around an 81% unweighted. My sophomore year was 5% more, and my junior year was a few percent more, all with upward improvement and a increasingly difficult course load. I'm currently a senior taking AP Chem, Calc II at a local college twice a week, Biotechnology (selective dual enrollment class with a lab semester and a theory AP Bio type session) and H English, along with AP Gov. I have taken AP Stat and AP Compsci as well, 5 per exam. My courses are honors based and my school does NOT weigh honors, only AP @ a factor of 1.2.</p>

<p>My current grades not counting my senior grades (I project them to be at least a 93% UW) is a 86.12% UW/87.98% W GPA.</p>

<p>SAT: 2100 (730M, 700W, 670CR) </p>

<p>SATII: 700 (Chem), 730 (MathII)</p>

<p>Unique situation:</p>

<p>1) My father died before my freshman year in high school and that affected me a lot, which leads me to number two:</p>

<p>2) I wanted to financially help my family out so I opened a business, which I currently fully own; I manage my corporate taxes, payroll for my partner, advertising, and of course the technical aspect such as the website development, programming, and support side aspect. It is a registered C Corporation in Pennsylvania. I am currently working on a patent pending HR listing website with a bright outlook for the last six months. This is my main EC and passion, and I intend to major in a MBA/MBS (business and science) field.</p>

<p>With that said, here are my top choices:</p>

<p>-Carnegie Mellon (they have like 10-12% in my GPA range I think)</p>

<p>-UPenn (doubt this is reasonable)</p>

<p>-UChicago (^)</p>

<p>-UPitt </p>

<p>-Drexel</p>

<p>-Emory</p>

<p>-RPI</p>

<p>-Penn State, UPark</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Also, my essay is based around my two points (mostly 2 but leading from 1).</p>

3

<p>Anything :)? Also, that GPA did include my senior grades…without them it is about 1% lower.</p>

4

<p>In my point of view? I think you will have no problem with most colleges. Make sure you explain your situation in your essays and they will understand. Also, your gpa improvement per year is a plus. I think you have a decent chance! Upenn may be a very high reach…but you got nothing to lose…well …70 bucks, but you don’t wanna spend the rest of your life saying “what if”, do you? Also don’t forget the possibilty to go as a transfer student.
Good luck!</p>

5

<p>Chicago doesn’t have undergraduate business.
Is your business profitable? If so, that would be impressive.</p>

6

<p>@greennblue - it was profitable a year or so ago, when I owned my hosting company. Not much, like 8-12K profit, but keep in mind it was my first company and only a 9mo profit venture. I sold it then a year ago or so because I had many things in school and studying for SAT, etc. I only sold the clients, not the parent company, which I still own today. I have focused my attention on developing a few major applications and am working on a patent pending HR app. I do have a few clients generating low incomes, in the low 5 figure area, with a decent 45 or so percent profit margin. I have put a lot into this new venture, and it’s looking good numbers wise for when we launch.</p>

7

<p>Would love to hear more feedback - I will chance back if anyone wants, just link your thread!</p>

8

<p>UPenn and Chicago- big reaches- your GPA and SATs are too low.
CMU- reach- worth a try
Emory- I think reach, due to GPA
Pitt, Drexel, RPI, Penn State main campus- match</p>

<p>Penn state other campuses are safeties</p>

9

<p>Thanks for your input. Yeah, I am not to hopeful about UPenn and Chicago. I am more leaning towards CMU and Emory, which have excellent business programs (although UPenn is the best, doubt there is any hope there).</p>

10

<p>CMU and Emory both have ED 1 and ED 2- if I were you, I’d use them. Be strategic.</p>

11

<p>I’d probably not apply ED anything to Emory, it’s a very, very tough school and I’m OOS. I will emphasize it’s one of my top choices on my app. I am probably going to ED CMU. Any more feedback is appreciates!</p>

12

<p>Raise your SAT - your unique situation probably excuses your grades, but not the SAT. Still, I still think you’re probably in at all but UPenn.</p>

13

<p>Thanks. What do you guys think are my chances at CMU and Emory specifically?</p>

14

<p>Ok, so here’s my debate for top pick:</p>

<p>CMU and NYU. Debating which to prioritize…which do you guys think will fit me better? Does ED significantly improve admissions for these and my stats, etc?</p>

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<p>Also, what other schools fit me well? :)</p>

16

<p>This should help with my chances/requests:</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1211355-business.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1211355-business.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Post #1 and 7. </p>

<p>Thanks again!</p>

17

<p>NYU is a match/low reach. Others are also match/reach, except UPenn, which is a high reach.</p>

<p>Honestly, you shouldn’t have that much of a problem. Your scores aren’t terribly low and are understandable.
Make sure you really shine out through that essay. That’s what really determines whether you get in or not, since it’s the only way to personally tell them about your situation.
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll be fine nevertheless :smiley: :)</p>

18

<p>I think your scores are pretty darn impressive! All around you look like a very interesting person who faced adversity in your life and delt with it in a positive manner. You came up with a plan & started your own business. WOW! So many schools would love to have someone like you as part of their community. Any IVY is a reach for everyone but I would go for PENN! Good luck!</p>

19

<p>Thank you. Any other feedback is appreciated, as always.</p>

20

<p>bump ---- :D</p>