Chances at Penn, Pitt, Northwestern, and others?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I don't really know what insight anyone here will have, but why not?</p>

<p>Race: White
Sex: Male
State: Illinois
School - Large Competitive Public High School, Nationally Ranked, Always send top students to ivy's, stanford, mit, and the like.</p>

<p>Most likely applying to -
University of Pennsylvania
Northwestern
Vanderbilt
Princeton
University of Pittsburg OOS
University of Wisconsin - Madison OOS
University of Virginia OOS
University of North Carolina OOS
Tulane
Penn State OOS</p>

<p>GPA
Unweighted - 4.0 - 1 of 732
Weighted - 4.7779 - 23 of 732</p>

<p>Test Scores
ACT Composite - 34
English - 34
Math - 35
Science - 36
Reading - 32</p>

<p>SAT II US History - 780
SAT II Math II - Haven't taken yet, assuming +700</p>

<p>AP US History 5
Will also take AP Government, AP Language, AP Literature, AP Psychology, AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Spanish, and AP Stats (possibly). Expect 4 or 5 on all.</p>

<p>Classes (first semester/second semester)</p>

<p>Freshman Year
Honors English - A-/A
Honors Geometry - A/A
Honors Biology - A/A
Spanish II - A-/A-
World Geography - A/A
World History - A (One semester)</p>

<p>Sophomore Year
Honors English - A-/A
Honors Algebra 2 - A-/A
Honors Chem - A/A
AP US History - A-/A
Spanish III - A-/A
Health (required) - A
Consumer Ed (required) - A</p>

<p>Junior Year (1 Semester)
AP Language - A
Honors Trigonometry - A
AP Government - A
AP Psychology - A
Spanish IIII - A-
Physics - A-
Will take all clases for second semester except Government, which switches to AP Macro Econ. Given my track record, assume all will be A or A-</p>

<p>Senior Selected Courses
AP Literature
AP Biology
AP Spanish
AP Calculus BC
AP Stats (possibly)
Potentially something else, haven't thought of anything yet</p>

<p>Extracurricular
Football - Four Years - countless hours spent, potentially essays. Possible Captain for senior year.
Lacrosse - Four Years - more countless hours, possible varsity captain senior year.
Basketball - 1 year
School Newspaper - four years, copy editor junior year, shoe-in for lead sports section editor senior year.
National Honor Society - Junior and Senior Year
Founded a charity at the end of my sophomore year. We locally donate used sports equipment. Growing rather quickly, could be an essay topic.
Volunteering - lots of hours in a vast array of different areas, alot of coaching youth sports teams.
Work Experience - Soccer Referee since seventh grade, and i've recently gotten a retail job with about 15 hours a week.</p>

<p>Essays - I may be biased, but I figure I'm a pretty strong writer, and I've got some material to write about.</p>

<p>Recs - English Department Chair - Really likes me, should be good.
- AP US History Teacher - Went to Northwestern, should be good
- Lacrosse Coach - IDK about his writing, but he has been my coach since freshman year, so that's some character writing that the other two wouldn't have.
- My college counselor really likes me too, so that'll be a good one as well.</p>

<p>Other info
-I'm the kind of guy who likes a social scene, but also wants a school where people still work hard. I'm planning on going pre-med, poentially in a biology or neuroscience path, or potentially psychology. I still have a while to decide. I probably won't be applying to all of those schools either.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>You are joking, right? Are you just looking for an ego boost? Obviously your record is almost spotless, so you have as good a chance at any school in the country as anyone. Your list is fine, you could add a couple more extremely selective schools (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, WUSTL are examples) if your goal is to get into the most competitive ones possible. Otherwise it is a nice balance between those (Princeton and U Penn, maybe Northwestern) and virtually certain admission at the others.</p>

3

<p>Sorry, I wasn’t looking for an ego boost. I’m just fairly neurotic when it comes to this. Thanks though. I looked into Harvard, but it really didn’t seem right for me, I guess.</p>

4

<p>you should be fine at all of those
chance me PLEASE <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1068187-chance-junior-who-has-complete-background-listed-here.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1068187-chance-junior-who-has-complete-background-listed-here.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>viking - OK, I can understand neurotic, lol. But now I am curious. What is it about Penn that seems right but about Harvard that doesn’t? I mean that’s fine, I am really just asking to get an idea what you are really looking for in a school. Because you have some vastly different choices on your list.</p>

<p>So if you can provide some of your thoughts on what is important to you, some of us might be able to give you feedback on schools that might be interesting to you. Not only academically, although of course that is important, but also all other aspects like size, weather, location (urban/suburban/rural), sports scene, Greek scene, whatever. Even if it seems trivial, this is where you will be living for 4 years. Since you have choices, you might as well try and make it fit as well as possible. Also, are there financial issues? Are you looking for merit scholarships or can you pretty much afford anywhere you want?</p>

6

<p>Great ACT, GPA and Rank, however, ECs are rather average/generic at some of those schools.</p>

<p>University of Pennsylvania - mid reach
Northwestern - mid reach
Vanderbilt - low reach
Princeton - mid/high reach
University of Virginia - low reach/match
University of North Carolina - low reach</p>

<p>Please chance back!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1062868-chance-swede-wharton-harvard-yale-etc.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1062868-chance-swede-wharton-harvard-yale-etc.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Good chances. I would apply to a few more top-ranked schools.</p>

8

<p>I guess it’s more the city. I didn’t really like Boston, and I really like Philly. Also, I have a friend at Penn now, and that’s why I like that one. Penn is closer to home, it seemed to me to be a little more social. And it just had a feel that I liked. That intangible factor seems wierd, but in my case it’s true.</p>

<p>Academically, I obviously want a top-tier level education, based on where I am.
Socially, I do enjoy an occasional party, and I want to have fun, but I don’t want a school where everybody is partying all the time. Sometime I enjoy just hanging out or chilling with a few people over a big party. Greek life is somewhat important, but it won’t be a deciding factor at all.
Size - Smaller is better, but not too small. The 1500 class size of most of the schools I listed is important.
Weather is completely unimportant
Location - I think I want an urban environment, but I like how Northwestern is, where it’s right by the city, but it has a campus feel still. Still, location isn’t the most important part for me.
Sports - As long as theres a team that I can watch and follow, be it collegiate or professional, in the city, I’m A OK.
Financially - Not a huge issue. Parents aren’t happy about shelling out 50K+, but they’re still ok with it. I probably wouldn’t qualify for much, if any need-based aid. As far as merit scholarships, if they’re there then better, but if they’re not, it’s not the end of the world.</p>

<p>I’ve done quite a lot of school research on my own, and all of the schools on my list appeal to me, even if they are rediculously varied. I’d rather not look at any more Ivy’s actually, but any other schools that might be similar to the ones on my list, I’d appreciate it.</p>

9

<p>OK, that helps a lot! Stanford still gives you access to San Fran, that might be worth considering. Emory is in a location in Atlanta that is similar to Northwestern and Chicago, as is Tulane in New Orleans. Both Emory and Tulane are actually in the city limits, but in very nice residential areas. Feels more suburban.</p>

<p>Those three are worth thinking about given your preferences, I think. As far as chancing you, the person that did all the reach stuff was a bit off on some, IMO. It really makes no sense to chance a person with your stats, because you have a chance of getting in everywhere, as good a chance as almost anyone. So you probably should just apply to all those schools (it really is not so many these days) and make a decision when you see who comes through and with what kind of special offers, in the cases of schools that give merit scholarships.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

10

<p>This is sort of a bump. But also, everyone is saying how I should apply to more top schools, but I’m under the impression that my ecs are a little unimpressive. For Stanford don’t you need to like write a book or invent something?</p>

11

<p>LOL, no. These things help of course, but you really don’t have to cure cancer. Besides, people telling you your EC’s are “unimpressive” are full of it. You are a two sport varsity player and a leader in those, school newspaper contributor that is obviously more than just token participation, and solid community work. That is very good, especially since admissions people know that varsity sports take up a lot of time. They aren’t looking for thousands of activities, but rather a few that you really do well. You show that quite nicely.</p>

<p>You really have a top level resume. Go for whatever you want, with confidence. You might not get in everywhere, but you certainly have as good a shot as anyone everywhere. But also, these are just suggestions for you to research more and think about based on your preferences. There is nothing wrong with only applying to a few schools, as long as 2 or 3 are ones you like that you will virtually be certain to get into. Tulane might be a good example of that for you. Really good school, great city and campus, but not as selective as Princeton or Penn, for sure. As long as you can tell them why you would want to go there if admitted, beyond cliche reasons, you would likely get in and you would have a fantastic shot at a full tuition scholarship. Anyway, my point is that you can apply to Penn and Princeton and if you get in to one or both, that’s great. If you don’t for some reason (like they are just hard to get into) then you will have your options open with Tulane, Vandy, Pitt, and probably Northwestern. WUSTL would also be a decent probability. I was just saying that Stanford and Emory might fit you as well, but there is nothing wrong with applying to 2-3 “dream” schools and 2-3 safeties and leaving it at that. Just depends on your temperament and how much you really like the match/safety schools.</p>

12

<p>Your ecs are not weak. In fact, it’s awesome that not only you are a varsity athlete, (2 sports) but demonstrate a lot of leadership with sports like coaching kids teams and your charity. And having your own charity that’s making an impact is a lot better than 500 hrs at the hospital/nursing home. With your stats and ecs, I’d say:</p>

<p>University of Pennsylvania-Reach
Northwestern-Low Reach
Vanderbilt-Reach
Princeton-High Reach (It’s like that for everyone)
University of Pittsburg OOS-Match
University of Wisconsin - Madison OOS-Match
University of Virginia OOS- High Match
University of North Carolina OOS- High Match/Low Reach
Tulane-Low Reach/High Match
Penn State OOS-Match</p>

<p>Be sure to include a few safeties that you like when you apply and also maybe consider some top schools like Stanford that are really into athletics. When the adcoms see you, they’ll think you’re a good fit for their school.</p>

13

<p>Might look at some LAC’s like Davidson and Holy Cross. Both schools have strong academics, athletics, and proximity to a city. Davidson is the smaller of the 2 and harder to get into. Holy Cross has great pre-med program with new science building. HC is need blind with a January15th application due date. HC plays DIV1 sports in the Patriot League-and plays several Ivies in most sports including lacrosse.</p>

14

<p>i think pitt might be a high reach for you…</p>

<p>^sike thats ridiculous your record is like perfectt. why are you even posting on this website haha</p>

15

<p>We are very similar! Our activities are pretty similar in that I also played football (captain) and did 2 other varsity sports as well as newspaper. I think you have a decent shot at all of the schools you’re looking at. We seem to like the same schools as well and for the same reason, I’m from Philly so Penn is definitely great, but Duke is also a school that fits the criteria you mentioned. Good luck!
I applied to Stanford Early Action just this year, I’m post number 96.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/stanford-university/1043618-official-stanford-university-rea-decisions-class-2015-hamba-harambee-knaves-xd-7.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/stanford-university/1043618-official-stanford-university-rea-decisions-class-2015-hamba-harambee-knaves-xd-7.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

16

<p>@bobleman300 it’s pretty cool how we both do have those similarities. And it’s nuts that stanford rejected you, but i guess they’re pretty crazy. As far as Duke, I looked into it but I’ve always hated the blue devils haha.</p>

<p>@rose122 i’m really on here because i’m ridculously neurotic about college (obviously). It just sucks that even with my (perfect) stats, I still actually have to worry about getting into some of those schools. But it’s ok, because Penn, Princeton, Vandy, while I’d love to go to them, they aren’t ‘omg i have to go to them’ types. I’d be comfortable at alot of places.</p>

<p>@par70 - thanks for the advice, but idk if I’m really a huge LAC fan. Thanks though.</p>

17

<p>Btw, I also applied to Upenn, Northwestern, Vandy, Pitt, and UNC so we’re very similar in that way as well. Good luck!</p>