Chances at longshots

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello. I am a homeschooler trying to decide where to apply for college. I attended community college in addition to my homeschool studies this year (my junior year) and will continue to attend the college next year (my senior year).</p>

<p>I am planning on applying to 5 schools:</p>

<li>U.S. Air Force Academy</li>
<li>Massachusetts Institute of Technology</li>
<li>Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute (probably Prescott campus)</li>
<li>University of Washington</li>
<li>Washington State University</li>
</ol>

<p>The last two are safety-net schools. I am a double legacy from WSU and have been an active participant in their 4-H program so I’m pretty sure I could get in there. I’m pretty sure I could get into UW too, but would like any advice you can give on the first three.</p>

<p>My SATs:</p>

<p>Critical Reading: 720
Math: 680
Writing: 670</p>

<p>My ACT (first attempt): 31
I am going to retake the ACT in September and try for a better score.</p>

<p>Freshman year coarses:
Class Grade</p>

<p>Algebra I A
Geometry A
English A
World History A
Physical Science A
Physical Ed. A
Art A
Drama A</p>

<p>Sophmore year coarses:
Class Grade</p>

<p>Algebra II A
Trigonometry A
English A
Literature A
High School Biology A
U.S. History A
French A-
Drama A</p>

<p>Junior year coarses:
Class Grade</p>

<p>PreCalculus A
Chemistry A
Astronomy A
Geology A
College English B+
Physics I A
Physics II A
Life Fitness Training A
World History A
French B+</p>

<p>Senior year coarses:</p>

<p>Class</p>

<p>Calculus I
Calculus II
Calculus III
Computer Science I
Physics III
College Biology I
College Chemistry I
College Chemistry II
College Chemistry III
Life Fitness Training</p>

<p>Homeschool G.P.A. 3.9
Community College GPA: 3.85</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Coarses:</p>

<p>4-H (Rabbit Project, Leadership project, and Arts Project, emphasis on Public Presentations and Community Service)
Art (Painting and drawing, bead-working, sculpting)
Creative Writing (novels and plays with 1 novel and 2 plays completed)
Performance Drama (2 plays performed in the last 2 years)
Math Tutoring (Neighborhood grade school)
Community College Physics Club (Promote greater learning for physics, excitement of the physics student body, greater public awareness of physics concepts, and future ideas)
Calvary Chapel Eastside Youth Group
Swing Dancing (Clubs and classes)
Yoga (Neighborhood instructor. Personal enrichment)
Fitness Training (Includes running, cycling, weight training and emphasis on healthy lifestyle)
Downhill skiing (non competitive)
Hiking and backpacking</p>

<p>Awards and achievements:</p>

<p>Air Force Association Space Camp Scholarship
4-H Grand Champion County Public Presentation
4-H County Teen Representative</p>

<p>Leadership Roles</p>

<p>4-H Club President: 2 years
4-H County Teen Representative: 2 years</p>

<p>Next year I am running for 4-H club vice president and physics club president.</p>

<p>So… what are my chances? Please feel free to comment or ask for any additional information. I will be checking back regularly.</p>

<p>-Monica</p>

2

<p>You're not going to get into MIT with a 680 in math. And I think you need to be nominated for the service academies...</p>

3

<p>I know I need congressional nomination for the Academy. I'm still working on my application for that. You need to first make the nominations and then the Academy chooses who they want out of the nominees. It's like you have to get in twice. A real pain, but for no tuition, a job straight out of college, record of military service, and a chance to fly? Hey, two applications isn't that bad.
So for MIT, would I be paying their application fee for an official rejection letter? I've heard the "you can't get admitted if you don't apply," but perhaps I should try elsewhere. If not MIT, then how about U of Illinois, Michigan-Ann Arbor, or Purdue? Chances there?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>-Monica</p>

4

<p>UIUC-yes
Embry-Riddle-yes
Service Academies-Likely, but not having organized athletics will hurt a bit.</p>

5

<p>i agree with the above post</p>

6

<p>I know people that have gotten into MIT with 650 M on the SAT. I actually know one person who got in with a 610 (kinda sad).
If you're a girl with a 680 applying to MIT, you probably have a better chance than a non-URM boy with an 800. I say go for it.</p>

7

<p>Monica, schools such as MIT are intended for students who can spell words like "courses."</p>

8

<p>GhettOwnedddd</p>

9

<p>wegman, congratulations. You're so cool. Wow, you pointed out a misspelling! You'll get into top colleges for sure!</p>

<p>...</p>

10

<p>Funny, Kevin, I don't recall talking about my ambitions in college. I was merely giving Monica my opinion regarding her chances at MIT. When someone consistently spells the word "course" wrong, it leads me to speculate on how well they might succeed in a demanding school like MIT.</p>

11

<p>Thank you for pointing out the error. It's one that I tend to make while typing. A computer bad habit, you could call it. A long time ago, I got used to spelling "courses" and a couple of others words incorrectly. I've since corrected most of them to their proper spelling, but every now and then I'll slip up- hence the repetition. I usually catch it when I proof read my posts, but I suppose with so much more to look over, it escaped me. Thank you for spotting it. </p>

<p>As to my credentials, I think my test scores and grades speak louder about my academic abilities than one misspelled word.</p>

<p>Since you seem very attentive to detail, my dear wegman22, perhaps you could tell me which of the three, U. Illinois, U. Michigan-Ann Arbor, or Purdue, you would consider the best school for someone looking into an engineering field? By analyzing my test scores, which of the 3 would you think I should apply to if I was only going to apply to one? </p>

<p>Anyone is free to comment on this. Thank you for your previous replies as well. They have been most constructive.</p>

12

<p>Well, Monica, I think you should apply an important skill used by engineers - analysis. You should look at the schools' stats and consider which ones you might have a chance at instead of asking random people on a forum.</p>

13

<p>It should be "he/she" instead of "they" because "someone" is singular.</p>

14

<p>Wegman...if you're going to criticize Monica for going to people on forums for advice, then why are you advising? Honestly, why do you have to be so touchy?</p>

15

<p>by the way, Monica, I think you write very well. Best of luck!</p>

16

<p>Monica,
Of UIUC, Purdue, and UMich, it is probably hardest to get into Michigan, especially if you are OOS. Check Princeton Review to see how your stats compare -- or go the the schools' websites to see if there is specific info for the engineering schools. I would think you have a good shot at all three, esp. Purdue. If I recall, Purdue has rolling admissions, as does Michigan (at least for the moment).</p>

<p>How was your math score on the ACT? Despite the snarkiness of some other posters, a stronger math score will help. Not that it's bad, but strong standardized test scores will help assure adcomms that your homeschooling is good preparation (though the CC classes also will definitely help your application).</p>

17

<p>My math score was a 32, but like I said, I will be retaking the test in the fall. I know I can get my score up to at least a 33 if not a 34 or 35. There were administrative and testing environment problems that were extremely distracting for all of those testing. I wrote to the ACT to make them aware that my, and my fellow test taker's scores may not accurately represent our academic achievement and they wrote back asking me to retake the test for free. I'm going for round 2 in September.</p>

<p>I don't plan on retaking the SAT. I walked out of that test knowing that I did the best that I could. I'd probably get right about the same (or lower what with summer break and all) score.</p>

<p>Hmmm... Perhaps this list is a little more reasonable,</p>

<p>USAFA
Embry Riddle
UIUC
Purdue
UW</p>

<p>I couldn't afford UMich or MIT without significant financial aid, and since I'd be lucky to get in, I'd have to be the goddess of luck to get financial aid with it.</p>

<p>Any comments?</p>