Chance me? Very high GPA, very low SAT score

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I just wanted to know my chances at UChicago.</p>

<p>I have a 4.0 GPA and im taking the following IB subjects:</p>

<p>Economics HL-7
Mathematics (differential option) HL-6
Physics HL-7
Chemistry SL-6
English Lang. and Lit. SL-6
Spanish AB initio SL-7</p>

<p>When i say my GPA is 4.0 its not officially 4.0 but my councellor told me that considering my IB points (listed above) i should expect a GPA of something like 4.</p>

<p>Also, my SAT scores are terrible.</p>

<p>1830- 630(reading), 650 ( maths), 550 ( Writing).</p>

<p>SAT 2 subject tests: 650 Maths 2C
740 Physics. </p>

<p>Im thinking of not giving my SAT 2 scores as i believe my maths scores are pathetic. I dont know how i got so low, I was expecting like 780+ in it.</p>

<p>Also, im giving my SAT 1 for the 3rd and final time now and expect to get atleast 2150 or more. Ive been scoring around 670, 780, 760 for CR, Maths and Writing respectively in my recent princeton review Diagnostic tests as well as the actual SAT past papers.</p>

<p>Also, I dont wanna list all my ECs here as the list is seriously too long but all you need to know is that my ECs are amazing.</p>

<p>My teacher LORs are also phenomenal. My teachers love me. </p>

<p>I also believe that im gonna right fairly decent and creative essays but not so sure about that.</p>

<p>*Duke university.</p>

<p>I copied the message over from UChicago so that part came accidentally carried over</p>

<p>It sounds like you are far too optimistic. </p>

<p>Improving your CR from 630 to 670 is typical of the performance increase from dedicated studying and learning test-taking techniques. It is reasonable to hope for a 40 point increase for a single section. However, moving your math score from 650 to 780 is unrealistic. Even worse, improving your writing score from 550 to 760 would be cause for a cheating investigation.</p>

<p>You will need to submit your SAT Subject Test scores as part of your application. Your statement that, “I was expecting like 780+ in it” is yet another indication that your expectations are far too high based on your actual performance.</p>

<p>Similarly, stating “I dont wanna list all my ECs here as the list is seriously too long but all you need to know is that my ECs are amazing” is probably an indication that you have wildly overestimated the impact of your ECs. To have truly amazing ECs it should be easily summarized, such as “qualified for Olympic swimming team” or “founded $1million internet business” or “played in Carnegie Hall”. It is more likely that you have huge involvement in a large number of disparate activities that are commendable but will not stand out in Duke’s (or UChicago’s) applicant pool.</p>

<p>Feel free to apply - they will gladly cash your $70 check. The admissions process is notoriously unpredictable. I certainly have no inside information, but I believe your chances are slim.</p>

<p>no. im not expecting myself to get such scores. I AM getting such scores in my tests.
And these tests are timed and the environment is pretty close to the actual test.</p>

<p>And, Im pretty sure you dont get investigated for cheating for a 200 point bump. In my first SAT I scored 460 in maths(although i gave it in 10th grade). In my second i scored 650. I didnt get any letter from my counselor or College board or the testing center so ill just assume there wasnt any investigation on me.</p>

<p>And about the ECs.</p>

<p>Yes, I agree that a long list of disparate activities doesnt look very good on an application but I consider myself to have a long list of good activities to which im actually committed.</p>

<p>Since youre asking so ill spill out the details anyways.</p>

<p>My activities include but are not limited to :</p>

<p>Working 80+ hours at Village schools.</p>

<p>Setting up a primary school for an army campus</p>

<p>Found and set up a very important school website.</p>

<p>Head boy</p>

<p>organized Teachers day, Graduation day, farewell for the graduating class when I myself was in 11th grade.</p>

<p>The list is seriously long and I genuinely spent atleast 50 hours on each activity and have been awarded 30 CAS hours at the least for each respective activity.</p>

<p>Your chances are slim, but don’t be deterred, as top schools like Duke are often unpredictable. </p>

<p>But, tell me why Duke should admit you instead of someone with both high GPA and high test scores? I’m sure they don’t have a lack of those types of applicants.</p>

<p>And your activities seem similar to that of most other applicants.</p>