Chances for an Artist at Top Schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm actually not looking for chances as much as advice on how to frame my application, but yes, chances are welcome! I'm applying to:</p>

<p>Yale EA, UChicago, Brown, Columbia, Stanford, Pomona, Swarthmore, CMU... and some more that I can't remember. Looking mainly for liberal-arts that basically rock in everything, especially art, hence my undying love for the big Y.</p>

<p>SAT: 2360, 12 Essay
SAT IIs: 800, 800, 720
GPA UW: 3.80/4.00 for EA, 3.83 for RD. (Coming from an easy public school, I had trouble with the intense curriculum at my new private school when I moved after 9th. Upward trend since then, but the equivalent of 7-8 Semester B/B+'s. Counselor will explain, though she doesn't think this is a terrible GPA even in terms of very selective schools.)
GPA W: 4.5/4.7 (Only for junior year. But this, according to my school, is at the level of HYPS etc. acceptances--so I had a very strong junior year.)
Rank: None.</p>

<p>ECs:
Art (independent study 12 yrs, private instruction 7 yrs, 3 international juried shows, 7 national/int'l awards, 1 international publication, student shows, city-wide activities, etc)
1 Varsity Sport (Captain, lots of state/school recognition)
2 Culture/Internationally-focused Clubs (President of both)
2 Minor (assistant leader/leadership board) Positions in 2 Clubs (One culture-related, One semi art related)
(these Six above are central ECs, ones that I'm the most passionate about. My essays tie them together)
Two Science Research Internships
100 hrs Community Service in culture-related areas</p>

<p>Supplement: Art portfolio & Art rec (PM me if you want to see; I love critique/comments)</p>

<p>Recs: Should be strong, probably top 10% to top 1%.</p>

<p>School: Small, very competitive, very prestigious private. All the regional reps in my area are familiar with it.</p>

<p>Personal: Male, ORM (East Asian, and writing about it)</p>

<hr>

<p>Here are my major questions:</p>

<ol>
<li>Since my main ECs focus on culture/diversity activities and art, I've planned an essay around the two, and it's really well-written and personal. This is good, right? I'm a little paranoid.</li>
<li>I know my counselor is writing about the adjustment issues I had while moving, but should I write about it in a supplementary essay for some schools? I feel this may be cliche and misinterpreted as a sob story, but there are some really positive things I want to say about it (in addition to acknowledging my difficulties). If not, should I include it in my additional info section?</li>
<li>I love art, but I don't want to sound obsessed. All my teachers are writing something about it, I'm submitting a portfolio and supplemental art rec, and I have the commonapp essay about it. Would the 150-word EC essay be too much?</li>
<li> Will colleges really take into account moving schools mid-HS? In terms of grades, years of involvement, and leadership?</li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks, and sorry for the long ramble. Anxious senior here... is there really any other kind? :)</p>

2

<p>shameless bump</p>

3

<p>Bump!!</p>

<p>Honestly, with this heavy competition, I just really, really don’t want to be rejected. (as in I probably won’t cry with deferral, probably would bawl if rejected). So if you’re going to give chances I’d appreciate them being centered around my possible rejection :P</p>

4

<p>A strong unique candidate. Sums you up. Strong international art rewards… looks promising.</p>

<p>I think you’ll get into most of your schools.</p>

<p>Yale and Stanford look iffy, but possible. Maybe a 50/50</p>

5

<p>^Eh, actually, I think your chances everywhere are very strong. Like, really, really strong. Yes, you’re ORM, but it isn’t THAT big a problem, considering you have great scores, come from a well-known school (which could easily help), and best of all have major art awards and are submitting a portfolio! I wouldn’t be surprised if you were accepted nearly everywhere.</p>

6

<p>geez, that sounds ridiculous! I really dunno how to chance, but i’m curious about your artwork! your application looks great though</p>

7

<p>Aw, you guys are so nice! Thanks for the feedback, but I do think you guys may be overestimating my chances :P</p>

<p>Tres Elefantes, I’ve seen you on the Yale forums! I guess we’re both doing SCEA–best of luck!!</p>

8

<p>:O Thanks. I’m hella scared and will probably need the luck! Good luck to you too.</p>

<p>Yale’s my absolute first choice. I know I shouldn’t get attached to one school, but I can’t help but love it. You too?</p>

9

<p>Given that 90 plus percent will be rejected from the schools you list, there’s not much we can tell you. We haven’t read your essays and recs, don’t know the quality of others applying from your school/region/state, don’t know how good your art is and know you have many Bs which most successful HYP candidates don’t.</p>

<p>But if kids get in with your rank from your school and you pull off a brilliant app, then you have a shot like so many others.</p>

<p>In sum, we simply don’t have enough info to begin to guess.</p>

10

<p>Tres Elefantes–Yes, I love Yale! I’m probably going to be brutally devastated in December.</p>

<p>hmom5–We don’t have rank, but we do have Naviance. Kids get in with my weighted GPA which is only calculated for junior year, so I really don’t know. My counselor doesn’t seem to be too concerned with my grades, though, which kind of concerns me, haha.</p>

11

<p>Whether your school officially ranks or not, colleges know where you rank. Your school profile and history gives plenty of info to rank. Naviance is a good tool as long as you know who’s hooked.</p>

<p>Just focus on an amazing application.</p>