Chances for a Mediocre Guy

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>GPA: 3.6 (GPA should go up quite a bit by end of semester)
Rank: 38/246 (More or less top 15%)</p>

<p>EC's:
AWANA
IHOB
M-FUGE
C-FUGE
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Organizing after-school basketball games
Bodybuilding and basketball on weekends
Serving at food shelters
Summer interning at office
Helping at church dinners to raise money
Worked with Department of Energy</p>

<p>In my spare time I have written a LOT of philosophical essays (I think they are marvelous quality - not to blow my own trumpet).</p>

<p>I'm an African and I got into the US 5 years ago. As you know, its damned impossible for an immigrant without Social Security/papers to get into jobs/internships and so on. I have joined many school clubs but my worry is my EC. I have 'generic' ECs because of my citizenship status over the four years - I couldn't get into anything special without the right papers.</p>

<p>Also, my GPA slumped during the second semester of my sophomore year. That's because I got the chicken pox and was out for quite a while. (The absences during that time are recorded on my transcript). Ever since then, I received only one B and the rest have been straight A's. I've also received straight A's for my senior year first quarter so I'm expecting straight A's for the semester. I'm taking 7 AP classes this year (and I took two last year). I got 5's in the exams I've taken so far and I'm self studying for Physics C by my self. My SAT score is 2260 (770 Critical reading, 750 Math, 740 Writing). My SAT II scores are 800 Math IIC, 770 Physics, 720 Literature.</p>

<p>Given this trend and my predicament, what might my chances be for the following schools?</p>

<p>Harvard
Stanford
USC
Caltech
University of Chicago
University of Illinois
Carnegie Mellon
Harvard
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of Washington
Georgia Institute of Technology
Cornell</p>

2

<p>Wait, are you a permanent resident or not? Because it vastly affects your chances.</p>

3

<p>I am not yet a permanent resident. But I will be on January 8. That's when I'm scheduled to receive my green card.</p>

<p>Does this affect me adversely?</p>

4

<p>I should also add that Harvard admissions called me to say that I would be offered a full ride if i were to be accepted. is that a good omen?</p>

5

<p>I don't think that call means much. I got a phone call from a Harvard adcom telling me to apply because I had "excellent" scores, even though my scores are far from Harvard's average.</p>

<p>On the other hand, I think you are in pretty good shape for all those colleges you listed. Good luck!</p>