Chance super competitive Ivy League Applicant! Will chance back!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I completely agree that tutoring raises scores on average. I’m just pointing out that the huge gains made in the OP’s area must somewhere be balanced out by far smaller gains made by a much larger group of students, many of whom are taking classes or tutoring from the same national companies. That seems odd to me and I suspect that some of the info is not accurate or not being presented in a comparable way. </p>

<p>I also stand by my original point that comparable inequities are seen on other tests for which the wealthy are not hiring private tutors, and so it’s wrong to say that it’s all because of tutors. Someone else posted a thread a while back saying “don’t shoot the messenger”. I don’t like the inequalities, but they start years before the kids even find out about the SAT.</p>

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<p>It’s entirely possible that he’s lying, sure. Who knows? But I’m inclined to take him on his word.</p>

<p>I completely agree that the wealth difference is not solely due to tutoring.</p>

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<p>@bluberaptor I don’t want to read though the whole thread, but did you do the Saltz Internship or the SMRP or something else at the Museum of Natural History? I am doing the Stars Science Research Course there and hope to meet Neil Tyson as well, lol.</p>

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<p>@ckoepp127‌
Surely. Can you elaborate as to why the analogy was faulty, without just paraphrasing what you already said? It was an example where a correlation was caused by multiple factors - not just the most evident one. I also do not know, despite having decent knowledge of statistics, as to how they could control a subjective factor such as “determination.”</p>

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<p>@mathyone‌ and @ckoepp127‌ Can you guys take this to private messaging please?
@wannabefeynman‌ I’m fairly confident that you’re a brighter individual than I am. I’ve had grammar problems since child hood :frowning: My first grade teacher taught us really jacked up English (I still spell elephant as elefant, and randomly insert semicolons everywhere), so relearning the mechanics of English grammar was pretty difficult, nonetheless in only 5 days of SAT prep, I went from 480 to 690. </p>

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<p>Sure. Sorry to crap up your thread.</p>

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<p>@ckoepp127‌ No worries :slight_smile: Really interesting discussion going on here though!</p>

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<p>Bump?</p>

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<p>Sorry to derail your thread. Getting back to your chances, I think you are relying too heavily on your 2 week internship. Just make sure you write about you. They aren’t deciding whether to admit Neil deGrasse Tyson. If there are things you can do to follow up on what you did in that internship, I suggest you pursue them.</p>

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<p>Harvard - Reach
Yale - Reach
Princeton - Reach
Stanford - Reach
Cal Tech - Reach
UC Berkeley - High Match
Vanderbilt - Low Reach
UCLA - Match
UCI - Safety
UCSD - Low Match
Brown - Reach
USC - Match
Amherst - High Match
Cornell - Reach</p>

<p>The only reason most of these are reaches is because they have low acceptance rates. Just like you said on other people’s threads, there are qualified people, just like you, who have interned with just as famous people as Neil Tyson in their own field(s) and are applying to the same colleges that you are. At that point, it’s really what the colleges want (to fit their own needs of diversity, etc.) rather than if you are qualified or not (because most people who apply, like you, are qualified).</p>

<p>The only reason I didn’t put Berkeley as a low reach (which it actually could be) is because you are in-state and it has a relatively high acceptance rate (compared to the Ivies).</p>

<p>As other people have said already, your extracurriculars are lacking. Just as people have probably told you that quality is better than quantity (in other words, colleges like to see a leadership position or a significant award in one club rather than just memberships and no major accomplishments in others), you need to have some strong extracurriculars. Two weeks is not enough. What looks better is if you interned with Tyson multiple times, or even for a longer time. I assume that you got into that internship because of your network, but does that actually show that you are interested in astrophysics (or just physics)? Join a physics club or a math club. Participate in science olympiad and do well. That stuff, along with the internship, shows that you are interested. If I were the admissions counselor at a competitive school and I saw that you had a 800 grand family income (forgive my stereotyping, but it’s true), then I would assume that your father and/or mother and/or previous generations made money in business/economics or another field where you make networks to get rich. Therefore, I would assume that your family just has connections that would get you the internship. Forget about showing interest. I, as the admissions counselor, might take you in for your money (because you can afford full-tuition) but not for your physics/mathematics interest. If you’re a junior, I would highly recommend you take part in a math or science related club.</p>

<p>Oh, as I didn’t read your first comments to skieurope, I didn’t realize that Tyson would just “take his time off” to “help young minds get interested” (Sorry, I can’t copy down everything word for word, but you get my point). When your family has connections and maybe Tyson or a close friend owes someone like a close family member, what great way is there to pay off a debt in two weeks to that someone’s kid? (Not saying that your family did this, but something like this happens, and that’s what I, as the admissions counselor, would think while reading your application). My main point in these two paragraphs is that your internship shows nothing. NOTHING! Unless you can back it up with interest in related clubs/orgnanizations.</p>

<p>You are definitely not that hardcore athlete, so forget about DI athletics. You might get DIII depending on if your school is competitive in swimming and tennis and whether you actually want to do it in college. I’m assuming that your two years in swimming and one year in tennis means that you aren’t that interested.</p>

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<p>The only thing that really makes me jealous of ur application is ur SAT score(I got an ACT score of 29 lol, but will be taking sat in sep). Otherwise, there isnt much that I have done or others have done, that u have done. I read somewhere that at MIT(dont remem the year), 33% of the students they accepted founded an organization. If one were to found an organization, as well as, on par scores and GPA, good essays, good recs, then their chances will be increased. Remem, do things that u like, start a physics or astrophysics or astronomy club, i am sure there r other kids of ur interests that wud be willing to join, ur ECs dont yell out passion. The Neil Tyson thing is great, I agree with u on that, but u shudnt get a rec from him. Someone with a rec from Bill Clinton, got rejected from Harvard, the rreason that this failed is that Bill didnt know this person well enough to write a good rec, which i fear is what will happen here. Also, for ur ECs found whatever u want, dnt think u need to strt an underwater basket weaving organization that sends funds to Africa, just be u. Also, if u do get rejected from these schools, know that it probably would not have worked out, be gr8ful for wat u got.</p>

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<p>@manas1997‌ I seriously feel as if we went to the same school >_> (underwater basket weaving team sounds a BIT too familiar)… A lot of the stuff you say is anecdotal, and I’m not too worried at this point about my chances. Whatever happens is going to happen! I worked my hardest, and I think that I deserve to attend a decent college as a corollary. </p>

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<p>If it makes a difference, I got 3 800’s on my subject tests which included Literature, US History, and Physics, and I’m retaking math 2 this weekend to try and get an 800.</p>

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<p>Um… Sweetie, let me bring you back down to earth. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>There are kids applying to these schools with higher test scores and GPA. </p></li>
<li><p>2 weeks with Neil Tyson is hardly enough time to get to build a strong relationship with him. It will probably be extremely generic and written by one of his assistants since he barely knows you. Many students make the mistake of getting letters from distant acquaintances who have powerful or influential positions. The strategy often backfires. Your aunt’s neighbor’s stepfather may know Bill Gates, but Bill Gates doesn’t know you well enough to write a meaningful letter. This type of celebrity letter will make your application seem superficial. The best recommenders are those teachers, coaches, and mentors you have worked with CLOSELY. </p></li>
<li><p>Colleges won’t be swayed by that letter. All they will see is privilege, privilege, privilege. They will just think that you used Daddy’s money to buy yourself into an internship (If 2 weeks with someone even constitutes an internship).</p>

<ol>
<li>There are kids who make 1/10 of what you make, but are MUCH more accomplished than you are. Kids who have competed in Intel and Google competitions and have actually won. Kids who have lab and research experience with established professors. Kids with perfect scores and perfect GPAs.</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>

<p>So I hate to burst your bubble, but NO, you aren’t a super competitive applicant. You are just privileged. You have nothing to show your interest in science aside from 2 short weeks. And your other than that, your ECs are lackluster. </p>

<p>Lastly, don’t be prideful. You asked people to take their time out to evaluate your chances, so don’t be combative when people let you know that you aren’t as “SUPER COMPETITIVE” as you think. You aren’t entitled to admissions no matter what you have been raised to believe. You have to work for it just as much as anyone else.</p>

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<p>Completely agree with AnnieBeats 100%. Your “big accomplishment” just look like it’s bought (and even if it wasn’t, 2 weeks is nothing compared to students who work year-round in labs or doing great scientific work) and the rest of your ECs are pretty much below average (not even Varsity sports?). Out of your list I’d say you’re probably going to get into UCI, but I’d doubt any of the rest except maybe 1 or 2 of the other publics. Your arrogance certainly seems to be your downfall.</p>

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<p>@AnnieBeats‌ Before you presume that I bought my time at the internship, please consider that it was publicly open, and I even worked with kids who were below the 60k$ wage line. The spots for the internship were given out based off of merit.</p>

<p>I understand that there are kids that have scored higher, gotten higher GPA’s, but what I mean by “Super Competitive” is top 0.01% for SAT Score, GPA, and Class Ranking.</p>

<p>The two weeks I spent with him were pretty meaningful? We got to know each other… Everyday after lab work, all the interns, he, and I would hang out, get a quick bite to eat, talk to each other, and get to know each other…</p>

<p>Saying that everything I achieved is out of money is both rude and close-minded. I had to take the same exams as everyone else, and I had to work equally hard. My parents success does not mean my success. There are, similarly, rich kids who aren’t motivated at all, who crash their parents’ Mercedes, and who simply waste away doing drugs.</p>

<p>Finally, you may have not thoroughly read through the post, but I’ve literally taken every single AP Science and Math class my school offers, and I’m actively going out to a decent university to try and learn even more. I’ve also gotten into multiple medical internships at Kaiser Permanente, a Pediatric Office, and shadowing of a world class neurosurgeon through INTERVIEWS, and not money. So yeah, I do have a passion for science and the medical field.</p>

<p>@BBanks‌ Both of you know me off of one “Chance Me” thread and you’re able to conclude I’m arrogant? That’s just a BIT presumptive. Furthermore, I’m not too great at athletics. It’s just not my thing. I tried my hardest at it, and I’m happy with my results? But yeah, I guess I should elaborate a bit more on my EC’s since everyone here thinks that I have really crappy ones.</p>

<p>Key Club: 250 hours since 9-12. It’s a fun way for me to go out and give back to the community.
Debate Club: Varsity Debater. I like arguing?
Let It Be Club: Provides relief to kids dealing with acute pediatric illnesses, and I served as the treasurer in 9th grade.
Indian Club: Cultural get-togethers for Indians at our school. Served as treasurer 3 years.
I was member of 3 other clubs: Treehuggers, Operation Smile, and Club Ed (Tutoring club).</p>

<p>Speaking of tutoring, I worked at Kumon last summer trying to get some pocket money because not all affluent kids are entitled to 1000$ a week as AnnieBeats implied.</p>

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<p>You act entitled. It is as simple as that. Sure, you may need $1000 to buy gas for the $100,000 car you were trying to get. That hardly shows humility. You are missing the point. You won’t see trough your pretentiousness and understand that you are not entitled for these things. It doesn’t matter that you applied for the program, it doesn’t matter that you did interviews. Your attitude on this thread has showed that you are extremely prideful and quite frankly, that will show through your application. And nonetheless, with grades, you still aren’t super competitive for your top schools. No one is. And the fact that you think you are shows how desperately you need to check your privilege. I’m just being honest when I say this. I’m sure you are a great academic. But you lack the character traits that colleges want. I don’t know you personally, and you already seem like someone who feels as though they are entitled to admission to top schools.</p>

<p>I’m sure you had to apply to work with Tyson, but with your income and his fame, I would reccomend being extremely thorough in your explanation of how you got this opportunity. And sorry Hun, but no, you aren’t close to Neil Tyson. You just aren’t. He’s a distant acquaintance simply trying to motivate a budding mind. I highly doubt he knows you enough to write a quality LOR. </p>

<p>Colleges don’t want entitled rich kids unless their parents are donating huge sums of money. Money that is out of your pay grade, so you still have to work for it.</p>

<p>I don’t see the point of this thread if you are gonna argue against everyone who isn’t hailing you as the greatest of all time. </p>

<p>Check your privilege. </p>

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<p>@AnnieBeats colleges like privilege at any rate. Still think HYPS are a reach for the applicant though he has a shot, 2 weeks isn’t really that much time. Good luck and in general both posters responding to OP and OP should be more respectful towards each other. </p>

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<p>Look Neil Degrasse Tyson is a pretty cool dude but a two week internship where you crunched numbers? Its cool, definitely add it but its not a hook. You have great stats but so does everyone. Just look at their acceptance numbers and that is your chance. </p>

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<p>@AnnieBeats‌ You’re extremely presumptive. I drive a 2012 Prius that I had to earn myself. Stop presuming that just because my parents are rich, I’m rich. I volunteer constantly. Any time I’m free, I’m trying to help people. I’m not entitled to anything. I’m just questioning a couple of chances people gave me based off of the research I did?
I’m seriously beginning to feel like it was a mistake to post my parents income thread as that has skewed the chances and perception of posters by a lot.</p>

<p>Look AnnieBeats. I go to a public school, I do normal high school kid things, I take tough classes because I enjoy them. I don’t fly around in my golden helicopter that rains diamonds. I don’t spit on people that aren’t as privileged as me, and instead I try to help them up because social mobility, right?</p>

<p>Okay. I got the internship through a culmination of GPA, SAT, Courses, and Essays that propelled eligible students into the interview round. There I had 3 1.5 hour interviews where they asked the weirdest questions ever (Why would you want to be a bald eagle?). I thought I completely bombed it, but apparently I got in. Income and Race played absolutely no factor inside of the application judgement.</p>

<p>Yes I’m prideful. Why? Because I’ve statistically put myself in the “high-rollers” of test takers and I feel very accomplished for that, done pretty darn well at the school I go to, and I’ve accomplished a couple things that a lot of kids dream about. Is there anything wrong with that? I don’t think so.</p>

<p>Once again, none of the money that my parents make it mine.</p>

<p>@originalguy609‌ Thanks :slight_smile: I think I stand an OKAY chance at a couple of the schools I’m applying to.</p>