Your scores make you not a match for either Penn or Chicago however your ECs might make up for it esp with Chicago. (Both school a reach for anyone; tons more people qualify than they have space for, so there is luck involed). Good luck!
@sahar1811 Thanks for responding!
@TheAtlantic Thanks for responding! I will definitely take that into consideration!
@lucifer220 Thanks for responding!
@MT16Actor You are able to apply ED to Penn and EA to UMass and Northeastern because they are non-restrictive, meaning if I am accepted ED, I simply withdraw my EA applications.
@insanedreamer Why do you say my scores are bad? They are actually a bit above the 50th percentile at Penn and around the 50th at Chicago? Also, what about my ec’s makes it not fitting for Penn and more for UChicago?
I feel like your app is very solid! You definitely have a profound interest in social science and are dedicated to your ECs. They are phenomenal! A 2180 may be on the lower end for some of your schools, however (as well as UW GPA).
UPenn - high match
Columbia - reach
UChicago - reach
Everything else - match
Best of luck! Again, your ECs are amazing
@ShawnLooch Thanks for responding! Actually, I’d like to think that how you rated my chance are actually how I would rate my own (at least for the 3 you mentioned).
@jarrett211 no problem man. If you ever want to swap essays or critique each others apps, let me know!
UPenn-reach /// UChicago -match ///Northeastern-match /// UMass Amherst EA-safety /// Boston U RD-match /// Columbia University-reach /// Georgetown-low reach /// George Washington U-match /// Wash U-match /// Tufts U-match /// NYU-match
One word of caution for OP:
if anybody tell you that you are (high) match for any of your dream schools (UPenn, U Chicago & Columbia)… don’t take it seriously! They are all reaches, even for applicants far better than you. As a matter of fact for all applicants!
@uclaparent9 On a percentage scale what does a high match equate to?
I consider High Match to be 40% chance of acceptance.
@uclaparent9 40% of legacy applicants who apply to UPenn ED are accepted. I am a legacy applicant. Unless I am a below average applicant for legacy candidates (which I don’t consider myself to be), aren’t I a low match for the University? If I am below average, what are my areas of weakness?
if UPenn accepts 40% of such applicants, then you could well be one of them. But 40% looks to me a huge percentage for an elite institution such as UPenn.
@uclaparent9 It’s actually not as many as you think. Penn gets about 6,000 or ED applicants, and I can’t imagine that there would be more than 1,000-1,500 of them having legacy.
I’m assuming that UMass is your safety? Remember that you need financial safeties as well. Your list is reach heavy but if you are OK with your safety then it’s OK to go reach heavy.
Chancing is a very iffy game. No one really knows what goes on when an application goes up. Just put forth your best effort and then let go. Enjoy senior year too.
I’m my neighbors childrens’ magnet school, we were stunned with the results. Lots of high stats students did not get into their reaches. Really great kids. So, be realistic and be happy where you land. Don’t let a college define you. You can define your college experience. That’s what I tell my own kids.
@goingnutsmom Thanks for responding! Yes, UMass is my safety, but in reality I like my odds at 4 of my others as well. I don’t need financial safeties (I know this sounds weird because I am applying for financial aid, but in reality my family can in the end pay for four years without incurring extremely substantial debt; I am from an Upper Middle Class family). I actually don’t think of my application as being high stat. I like to think that my best aspects are ec’s, interests, and especially essays. My grades and scores are only a bit above/average at many of my schools.
The OP was correct in his use of Columbia College. It is basically the LA undergraduate school. That said, admission into Columbia College is a lottery amongst a select group. OP’s credentials at least put him into that group. One thing OP should work on if he hasn’t already is the elevator version of all he provided above otherwise it will be a tough interview.
@Compdad Thanks for responding! Yeah, I agree 100% with what you said. And I definitely will prepare for a tough interview. And I all really wanted to know whether I was competitive and had at least an average (by Columbia’s standards) or maybe a bit above average shot for RD.
If, like you said, you are applying for financial aid, but do not really need it, it could hurt your application. However, I do think you have a good shot at some of these schools. Also, you said your ECs are a highlight of your app, but they do not count for much in your application. However, if your essays are good, that is a huge plus.
@pupscotch I’m in a position where I would like financial aid, even a little bit like work-study would help immensely. What I mean to say is that finances will not dictate my final decision on where I want to go. I don’t “need” the aid. My parents can take it out of their retirement, but I don’t want them to have to do that if possible. It would help, but it won’t change my decision. My family makes ~$200,000-$250,000 per year. It isn’t impossible for me to get aid. It’s worth a try, especially since I have two other siblings who will eventually be going to college within the next decade. I know it’s unlikely, but it’s worth a shot.
If you would be better off with aid, it is definitely worth a shot, I just assumed from one of your earlier posts (something I should not have done). With your legacy at Penn, you should have a good chance with your stats.
@pupscotch Thanks!