Chances at WUSTL and UChicago

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I plan on applying to WUSTL, Uchicago, Williams, and Vassar. UT Austin is my backup, and since I'm in the top 10% I'm guaranteed admission. I'm really scared that I might not be able to get into these schools due to my SAT scores.I'm retaking the SAT in October. I took the SAT II in June after realizing that most of the colleges I planned on applying to required it. I didn't have much time to study so I did badly, but I'm retaking Literature and Math I in November. Also, I planned on taking 4 years of Spanish to look good on my transcript, but my school made major changes to the schedules and now I can't take it. Also, I'm going to major in Art History, which is why I have taken so many art classes. There aren't any Art History classes at my school. Here's my info:</p>

<p>SAT: 2060, CR: 700, W: 690,M: 690
SAT II: lower 600 for all
GPA: 4.6 W (may be higher, I will know at the start of the new semester)
AP English test : 4
Top 10% of class 17 out of 365</p>

<p>Junior year classes: AP English 3, AP US History, Pre-AP Spanish 3, Pre-AP Algebra 2, Pre-AP Physics, Graphic Design and Illustration, Pre-AP Studio Art 2</p>

<p>Expected Senior year classes: AP English 4, AP Government, AP Economics, Pre-AP Pre-Cal, AP Environmental Science, Adv. Graphic Design and Illustration, AP or IB Art</p>

<p>ECs:Art Club president since Sophomore year( this year we're becoming a National Art Honor Society chapter), NHS member, Teen Docent at Dallas Museum of Art this summer, volunteer at grandmother's church, helped design and paint mural at the square in my town along with students from University of North Texas, Volunteer at the Children's art tent at the Arts and Jazz Fest in '10 and '11.</p>

<p>Do I have a good chance at these Colleges?</p>

2

<p>I want to add:
I was accepted to Bard College at Simon’s Rock my Sophomore year but could not attend due to financial reasons.
I am a Type 1 Diabetic. Would that help with admissions in any way?</p>

3

<p>WUSTL: Honestly, no. WashU’s academic standards have skyrocketed in the past decade, and your SAT, SAT II’s, AP score, and GPA (it’d be more helpful to post an unweighted GPA…on a 4.0 scale, with 4.0 being straight A’s) are definitely lower than the mid-50% of accepted students. Unfortunately, your EC’s, which would be what could help you in this academic situation, are nothing amazing. In fact, they’re rather lackluster compared to some of the other applicants applying to WUSTL. I’m not trying to be brash, just objective, so bear with me. One thing that could help if you really, REALLY have your eye set on WashU would be to show interest in the school, as the admissions officers over there are real sticklers on not accepting students who viewed WUSTL as a back-up school to HYPSM, etc. Visit, ask for an on-campus interview, sign up for the mailing list, and apply ED if you’re sure you want to attend. Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste the $55 it costs to apply.</p>

<p>Chicago: Again, although I hate to say it, you aren’t qualified here either. U of C is known as an academic powerhouse not only in the midwest, or even nation as a whole, but on an international level. Taking a look at your SAT scores and GPA, I would question not only your ability to get in but also your ability to succeed at the school where “fun goes to die” and “the only thing that goes down is your GPA.” However, U of C LOVES creative, witty students. You should check out some of their supplemental essay prompts, and can do so here: <a href=“https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essays/[/url]”>https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/essays/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I can’t speak for Williams or Vassar as extensively, but if I were you, I’d set my sights a little bit lower. Both are ranked as “most selective” by U.S. News and World Report, and I would hate for you to spend time and money applying to all of these schools only to receive rejection after rejection.</p>

<p>Finally, no, being a Type 1 Diabetic would NOT help with admissions in any way whatsoever. At most, you could incorporate it into your Common App essay, but focusing on personal issues is somewhat trite.</p>

<p>Good luck on your college search, and please, don’t take offense to anything I said; it isn’t personal. I’m just trying to offer the best advice given the question with which I was presented.</p>

4

<p>Yes, I realize my SAT scores are not fantastic, but I am retaking it in October. I’m taking a prep class to get my scores higher. As for the SAT II, I KNOW I can do better than that. I rushed into it last time so I had no time to study. I will probably be submitting an art supplement too. I’ve taken lots of art courses over my high school career because it it something I’m really passionate about So, I believe that will show through in my supplement and transcript. Though art club may not seem to be the best EC I’ve been really dedicated to it and spend my Saturdays at the school working on a mural there. I’m working toward becoming an NAHS chapter this upcoming year.
I don’t see how I won’t be able to succeed at UChicago. Not making a 2400 on the SAT does not mean you’re not a good student. My SAT scores and GPA are not bad and I’m in the top 10%. Plus, I’m not the kind of person who likes to party, so I’m fine in an intense academic environment. </p>

<p>Lastly, I figured I’d give Diabetes a try. I mean, I have to live with it for my whole life so I might as well try to get something good out of it.</p>

5

<p>I was going to suggest University of Michigan.</p>

<p>That is another good midwestern school, but would be somewhat easier than Wash U or UC.</p>

<p>However, if you are guaranteed admission to University of Texas, there is probably no point in applying to Michigan. I would say that you might as well take a shot at the schools you mentioned. Unless you do SUBSTANTIALLY better than University of Texas, you might as well go to The University of Texas.</p>

<p>My son faces a similar situation down here in Florida.</p>

<p>He will probably get into University of Florida, which is very low priced, so going to Emory, for example, would probably not be worth the extra money, but going to UC would be.</p>

<p>Perhaps your geographic diversity (being from Texas) might help a bit.</p>

6

<p>Have you visited the University of Chicago?</p>

<p>These are students who argue about variances in the chemical structure of hydrogen at lunch.</p>

<p>These are professors who teach classes on software and programming that THEY THEMSELVES invented.</p>

<p>It isn’t just an intense academic environment; it’s academic suicide (in my opinion). These kids DO have the 4.0 GPA’s, the 36 ACT’s/2400 SAT’s, but also have the unique, out-of-the-box thinking required to establish themselves and assure superior performance on four hours of sleep per night, time and time again. Being in the top 10% of your class in high school means nothing at U of C. I know previous valedictorians currently attending who struggle to get C’s.</p>

<p>I’m sorry, I just don’t see it happening. Just my opinion. Again, don’t take it personally, I’m just studying the facts.</p>

7

<p>I definitely agree with floridadad55.</p>

<p>There are some fantastic public schools in the midwest that you would be a PERFECT match for, most notably Michigan-Ann Arbor, Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, and Wisconsin-Madison.</p>

<p>In my mind, these are MUCH more realistic choices than U of C, WUSTL, etc…</p>

8

<p>I’m not going to college to study software and programming or in a science related field. I’m going to go to college for Art History and I’m an artist. I think I would fit in with the creative kids there. And, if I bump my SAT scores I’ll have a much better chance. That was only my first time to take the SAT without much studying, so after the prep course I’ll have a much better score. Plus, my GPA is going to go up. I know my grades from last semester might put me in the top 5% with a 4.7 or 4.8 GPA.</p>

9

<p>Haha well it’s pretty blatant that you disagree with me.</p>

<p>Seems like you really have your heart set on U Chicago…that’s a good thing! :)</p>

<p>Try and show it in your app, visit, interview, get those test scores and GPA up…you never know. Write some killer essays.</p>

<p>If you’re determined enough, you’ll succeed, wherever you go. And based on your posts, you seem pretty damn determined, so don’t let anything I or anyone else says deter you.</p>

10

<p>Well, I believe I have a better chance at Williams, but Chicago or St. Louis would be a better city for me. In an interview I had with one of my mom’s friends who teaches art history at a university she recommended the cities of Chicago and St. Louis for studying art. She also said UChicago has a huge press, so a lot of books about art are coming out of there. Plus, I have to visit an endocrinologist frequently, so being in a big city is almost necessary. I don’t know where I’m going to find a doctor in Williamstown. I’ve already started working on my essays because I know they have to be really good to compensate for my SAT and ECs. Right now I’m looking into doing something else at the Dallas Museum of art. While I was volunteering there earlier July, I talked to someone who said I might be able to volunteer in other departments like the curatorial department. I’m a teen docent and that’s the education department. The chances for that are slim though. There aren’t many internship or work opportunities for someone looking to major in art history.</p>