Chances for an Asian Female at Top Ivies?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Rank: Tied for Second out of 250 students
GPA: 4.0/ last semester- 4.9
Gender/Race: Asian Female
School: Small private school</p>

<p>AP/Honors courses:
Sophomore: European History AP, Chemistry Honors, English Honors, Math Honors, Spanish II Honors
Junior: Us History AP, Biology AP, English AP, Chemistry AP, Math Honors, Spanish III Honors, Psych. Honors
Senior Year Courses( I have already filled out my course schedule so this is pretty final) : English AP, Spanish AP, Physics AP, Gov and Econ Honors, Calculus AP</p>

<p>SAT I: 2260( I'm retaking so hopefully it will go up)
PSAT: 224 ( NationalMerit most likely) </p>

<p>SAT II:
World History- 720
Math II- 740
French- 710
Spanish- 720</p>

<p>EC's</p>

<p>-started my own non-profit organization; have recieved recognition in local newspapers, magazines, websites, etc; featured in the radio</p>

<p>-fluent in 7 different languages( Spanish, French, Russian, Polish, Ewe[ local tribal language in Ghana], Arabic, and Chinese Mandarin)</p>

<ul>
<li>over 500 hours in service( volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, Hospital,tutor socio-economically disadvantaged students, work at a daycare for orphans)</li>
</ul>

<p>-interned at a non-profit that delivers medical care to war victims in foreign nations- developed technological infrastructure and currently helping to launch nationwide campaign that focuses on "Poverty"</p>

<ul>
<li><p>spending 2 months in Ethiopia- teaching French and english to impoverished children and spending one month building homes in Honduras and also working with prostitutes- shooting a documentary</p></li>
<li><p>held school supplies drive for children in Tanzania, book drive with over 500 books, raised money to build a well in India, more Advocacy/Philanthropic related events- benefit concert for the homeless, Wear RED for AIDs Day, Sign petitions. lobby for action( went to Washington to lobby for access to education, Darfur, and Burma and met with FPLA and a few senators) </p></li>
</ul>

<p>-received a $3,000 scholarship award from school for service</p>

<ul>
<li>a $500 scholarship award for academic excellence</li>
</ul>

<p>Other things:</p>

<p>-President of Key Club, Publicity Officer for Amnesty</p>

<p>-President of Students Take Action! Committee( an elected student council that addressses the concerns of the student body through collaborative action- this year: Environmental Sustainability Theme-selling reusable water bottles, more recycling cans, fun cleanup days at the beach, park ,etc.</p>

<ul>
<li>Dance as part of a dance group</li>
</ul>

<p>-clarinet player/ JV tennis for two years</p>

<p>-NHS, Math Honor Society, French Honor Society, CSF, MUN</p>

<p>-attended a variety of conferences and leadership institutes</p>

<p>-library volunteer</p>

<p>Essays: steller, in good shape I think</p>

<p>Recs: Not sure...ehh</p>

<p>Hoping to major in Political Science</p>

<p>Dream Schools( by rank):
Columbia
Princeton
Yale
Harvard
Stanford
John Hopkins
UC Berk
Georgetown</p>

<p>Do I have a chance? at all?</p>

2

<p>UGHH WHY WON'T ANYONE COMMENT?</p>

<p>Am I THAT horrible of a student?</p>

<p>I just need some advice on what to do because I am pretty scared about the whole college process and it would be great to get feedback. ANYTHING. even if it is mean and dashes my hopes at getting into my dream school Columbia.</p>

3

<p>Wow, I wish I could speak 7 languages. Sorry, I can't really add anything in terms of you getting in to colleges, but I think it's awesome you are fluent in all of them, especially the Ghanian one!</p>

4

<p>1) I think you have really good chances, unless you are an international, in which case still decent chances</p>

<p>2) You still need some safeties.</p>

<p>3) You really don't need to retake your SAT.</p>

5

<p>You have an amazing chance. </p>

<p>How did you become fluent in so many languages? That's really cool.</p>

6

<p>So judging from the responses, languages is the hook?</p>

<p>Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I basically self-taught myself Russian, Polish, and French. My lifelong neighbor is from France and a french teacher so ever since middle school, I've been going over and took a bunch of books and all that snazzy stuff. I spent about a month and a half with a host family in Ghana and the reason I consider myself pretty able with Ewe is because I really immersed myself in the language and it really is amazing how in such a short time, you can really learn so much! I carried it on so if I was ever randomly dropped in Ghana and the people could only speak Ewe, then I could survive. I grew up with Chinese and my best friend from elementary school was egyptian so I fell in love with language but I didn't self teach- I took classes so I could read and speak Arabic- I can even read the Muslim Koran! haha and Spanish I am currently learning in school..so yea.</p>

7

<p>Any more feedback? If I didn't know 7 languages, would my application still suffice?</p>

8

<p>i hardly think 7 languages is a hook. a hook would be like a urm: "gotta keep that diversity up!" or athlete: "gotta our sports programs good!" or son of president of univ, etc.... Unless one of your schools is desperate for someone who can translate russian -> polish, it won't be a "hook." It's impresive to say the least, but would most likely be treated like a good extracurricular. </p>

<p>you should know you're a strong candidate and have a solid shot at most of your "dream schools." Your SAT is fine but notable increase could be the difference between you being a very competitive applicant and an ultra competitive applicant.</p>

9

<p>Firstly, don't be stupid. Don't say stuff like 'do I have a chance at all' or 'am I really that bad of a student.' </p>

<p>Secondly, yes. Your application should be fine. Just make sure it comes across that your true passions are other cultures (an assumption on my part) and philanthropy. </p>

<p>Your grades, scores, honors, philanthropic ECs are all fine for applying to the top schools.</p>

<p>HYP- The acceptance can be so arbitrary, but I wouldn't be surprised if you got into one (maybe two). Just make sure to focus on those individualizing factors like philanthropy in your application.</p>

<p>Columbia- (I'll go into detail since it's your first) low reach. I've seen people with incredibly impressive applications be rejected, but that was because they lived in an area where the applicants are incredibly competitive. Columbia admissions told him (my friend) if he lived anywhere else (besides our rich suburb) he would be in, so I think you have a decent shot. His scores/honors/grades were equivalent. He was huge in theatre and singing (president of chorus, all-state level choir) and was editor of the newspaper for two years. His volunteer work was mostly singing for the elderly and other various functions. Volunteered at an assembly woman's office as well. So, he was rejected from Columbia because of where the school he applied from, but did get into Harvard. So, I'd say your chances are fair since your applications are nearly equivalent, with you having a slight edge. Then again, asian doesn't help =P</p>

<p>JHU and Georgetown would be a safety and high(ish) fit (in that order)</p>

<p>Don't know much about cal. schools.... =/</p>

10

<p>Thank you guys for your wonderful feedback.The reason it may seem that I am so paranoid is because it does seem a bit arbitrary at times and there is a surplus of overqualified applicants. I mean, there are thousands of kids who do amazing things. Award for this, award for that, national recognition, etc. Plus, 2009 will see the largest number of applicants applying for a limited number of spots. The largest class in history! I am leery of my chances but I hope that I can get into a UC with my stats.
Also, there are so many factors going into the admissions process- it's mind boggling! How one person mentioned location..I'm from California. That definitely hurts my chances right? Where was your friend from? Was he from a New York province?</p>

11

<p>He was from Westchester County New York. So many public high schools in the area are nationally recognized (including ours) so it gets really competitive in our area. California isn't the best location, but you'll be fine. Believe me. There are plenty of qualified applicants, but there are plenty less qualified than you too.</p>

12

<p>There are a lot of kids doing amazing things, but you're pretty amazing yourself. Lol, I can't get over the 7 languages thing. It's just so cool. xD</p>

<p>For the UCs, I don't see how you wouldn't get in. I have worse stats, nothing truly interesting, I'm out of state, and I got in. Those should be easy for you.</p>

<p>I want to add that I'm pretty sure you're an excellent match for Georgetown, considering its programs. I think that's pretty safe for you.</p>

<p>As you said, nothing is certain. So you can be paranoid, but try not to obsess. You're a very good applicant. :)</p>

13

<p>How can an application like this not be accepted into every college? Perfect grades, tons of APs, months helping people in Africa and Latin America, meeting with senators, fluent in <em>7 languages</em>, tons of humanitarian fundraising, music, dance, athletics, thousands of dollars of academic awards.</p>

<p>Columbia admitted over 2000 people (out of about 20,000 applicants) in 2007. Are there really that many high school students with perfect grades and test scores who have saved the world and cured cancer and founded their own nation? Does this forum exaggerate the selectivity of top colleges just a bit?</p>

14

<p>WOW!
You have it made!
7 Languages, no college can resist that, people have no idea how much languages really weighs towards a college, you have experience 99.9% of the students don't...
In your essay write about the kids in Ethiopia, no one will have an essay like it.
Wow!
I thought I was good with 4 (Chinese, Spanish, French, and English).
Languages really play a role, I was talking to the young adult and he told me he want up to like Spanish 9 or 7 in high school and got accepted to every college you applied to.
WOW, you will certainly get accepted by at least one, no doubt...Don't blow it off though...have an easy safety though, like if your in CA...UCD and UCI...</p>

15

<p>Dam! (excuse the language)... you must be amazing. fluent in that many languages by itself is impressive, then you've got the meeting senators and Africa experience? Harvard should be your safety!
no jk that's bad advice. You should still opt for one state school, just in case.</p>

16

<ol>
<li> By virtue of being asian, you’re already at a disadvantage if you’re not valedictorian (I know firsthand; I was second in my class and got flat out rejected from every ivy except Cornell)</li>
<li> This probably won’t help all that much either because now not only are you an asian, but you are an upper middle class asian.</li>
<li> I got rejected from huntsman with a 2390. </li>
<li> Your PSAT score really isn’t special.</li>
<li> The SAT Subject Tests will probably bring you down; math 2 is the easiest one (79th percentile for an 800, anyone?). A 720 on French and Spanish aren’t particularly… good. The world history one isn’t going to help you much either. </li>
<li> This hepta-lingual thing is bull. You’re in Spanish 3 as a junior and claim to be fully fluent? The 720 doesn’t exactly scream to me “HABLO ESPANOL,” and the French score tells me “I don’t speak French”</li>
<li> What the hell is ewe? </li>
<li> The community service isn’t special. Everyone does it. Unless you built houses for kids in third world countries, colleges really don’t give a damn.</li>
<li> I've heard of these internships before, you probably just made a bunch of photocopies.</li>
<li>Teaching kids how to read and write english and french is not the same as building houses for them.</li>
<li> In fact, teaching them french is actually detrimental to their educations because the universal language is english.</li>
<li>The people of India have an entire ocean to themselves; your well probably didn’t do much anyway. Unless you actually went to those countries and built a dam to purify the water for them, this is useless. Although I commend you for helping the children of Tanzania!</li>
<li>Everyone receives scholarships, colleges don’t care.</li>
<li>Second in your class is not excellent; I don't see why anyone would give you money for that.</li>
<li>French honor society should probably kick you out with your 710. Horrendous.</li>
<li>Is your key club involvement even regional?</li>
<li>I wonder what else you could do in a dance group.</li>
<li>Have you achieved excellence in clarinet? We Asians have to own at everything we do. If you did not own the clarinet, you fail.</li>
<li>Instead of helping shelve books in the library, you could have been giving those books away to kids in Tanzania.</li>
<li> JV Tennis is useless. Who cares about JV when there are probably hundreds of applications who have played varsity for all four years of high school?</li>
<li>They are not dream schools if you have eight of them. They are just colleges that you are considering at that point.</li>
</ol>

<p>You’ll probably get rejected at Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Berkeley, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and Stanford. That leaves... wait...</p>

17

<p>Interesting, I challenge someone to post a link to a CCer with better stats.</p>

18

<p>After I saw your's....I felt I have zero chance getting in UCB....aye.....I am doomed....</p>

19

<p>In response to D1:
I have a feeling that you read this site because you're bored out of your mind and you get kicks out of writing whatever you can. So, I'll humor you by responding. </p>

<ol>
<li>By virtue of being asian, you’re already at a disadvantage if you’re not valedictorian (I know firsthand; I was second in my class and got flat out rejected from every ivy except Cornell)</li>
</ol>

<p>Yes, being asian is a disadvantage. But consider this( and you should know already)- The big dog schools have to reject a large percent of their valedictorians. I mean, there are how many high schools in the US? All these hard working asian valedictorians feel entitled to something and they apply to ivies. Do they get in? No. I'm absolutely positive there were other flaws and imperfections in your application other than the fact that you were a tied for second place Asian.</p>

<ol>
<li>This probably won’t help all that much either because now not only are you an asian, but you are an upper middle class asian.</li>
</ol>

<p>How am I an upper middle class Asian? Have you ever considered that perhaps I attend my private school completely on scholarship?</p>

<ol>
<li>I got rejected from huntsman with a 2390. </li>
</ol>

<p>Again, a perfect to nearly perfect SAT score doesn't buy college entrance. You probably had, again, some major red flags in your app. Also, looking at the ivies, that's about ....10,000 or so students. Let's just say. Are all of those students getting 2400's? No. Most fall in the 2160-2380 range. Many get perfects. That doesn't really guarantee anything in today's college admissions- yours is a prime example. </p>

<ol>
<li>Your PSAT score really isn’t special.</li>
</ol>

<p>I know. But if it can get me a Commended or a NationalMerit Finalist standing, it's served its purpose. </p>

<ol>
<li>The SAT Subject Tests will probably bring you down; math 2 is the easiest one (79th percentile for an 800, anyone?). A 720 on French and Spanish aren’t particularly… good. The world history one isn’t going to help you much either. </li>
</ol>

<p>I'm satisfied with my scores as long as they are in the 700 range. I plan to major in political science so world history correlates well with that. And everyone knows( or should) that killer Asian stats mean...not a lot. There are thousands of kids out there with perfect SATs, perfect 800s. I am not one of them nor do I want to be. I am satisfied with my academic record.</p>

<ol>
<li>This hepta-lingual thing is bull. You’re in Spanish 3 as a junior and claim to be fully fluent? The 720 doesn’t exactly scream to me “HABLO ESPANOL,” and the French score tells me “I don’t speak French”</li>
</ol>

<p>I consider myself able to verse and communicate well in Spanish, vocally and in written format; again, test scores are not my main concern- I am not a rigid grades/test scores perfect person. I have many other things to do with my time. </p>

<p>To your grade warped mind, a 720 may seem insufficient. To me, it really does not matter. </p>

<ol>
<li>What the hell is ewe? </li>
</ol>

<p>If you have to ask, I'm not going to bother telling you.
Let's just say, I can understand why many colleges rejected you- you seem to possess an alarming lack of perceptional skills and flexiblity. </p>

<ol>
<li>The community service isn’t special. Everyone does it. Unless you built houses for kids in third world countries, colleges really don’t give a damn.</li>
</ol>

<p>haha. I actually have built houses, for Habitat for Humanity and I am building one this summer. However, the tide seems to be saying that colleges are finding teens who go and build housese a bit tedious so I would say you are a bit behind in your college news. But I don't care- I build houses because it means so much to the families.</p>

<ol>
<li>I've heard of these internships before, you probably just made a bunch of photocopies.</li>
</ol>

<p>I did make photocopies. I also
drafted and sent out press releases, held 2 information sessions, took notes during business meetings with donors, embellished the website and developed further outlets, shot a short PSA, and oh my goodness, just so many other things.</p>

<p>Most importantly, I'm helping them to co-author a book that is the face of their nationwide Poverty campaign- I've been with it since the beginning and we're really amping things up.</p>

<ol>
<li>Teaching kids how to read and write english and french is not the same as building houses for them.</li>
</ol>

<p>It isn't. But surely someone who has applied to higher educational institutions understands the value and significance of education?</p>

<ol>
<li>In fact, teaching them french is actually detrimental to their educations because the universal language is english.</li>
</ol>

<p>English is, of course, the forefront of the curriculum and teaching goals. However, to further enrich the students' education, volunteer teachers are encouraged to teach any additional subjects that would be benefitting- I'm teaching language. </p>

<p>You do know, in France, you'll be hardpressed to find English speakers?</p>

<ol>
<li>The people of India have an entire ocean to themselves; your well probably didn’t do much anyway. Unless you actually went to those countries and built a dam to purify the water for them, this is useless. Although I commend you for helping the children of Tanzania!</li>
</ol>

<p>This was funny. But not true- and you know that. haha</p>

<p>Access to clean, sanitaray water is one of the most pressing issues in the humanitarian world. Unclean water breeds disease, death, etc. The well will hopefully sustain that village for a long time, especially for all those who had to walk miles to procure water.</p>

<p>And thank you for the Tanzania compliment- it seems you are quite fond of helping children!</p>

<ol>
<li>Everyone receives scholarships, colleges don’t care.</li>
</ol>

<p>I think they do. At least, a little bit.</p>

<ol>
<li>Second in your class is not excellent; I don't see why anyone would give you money for that.</li>
</ol>

<p>Nobody gave me money for being second in class. They gave it to me for academic excellence- consistency, good behavior and overal performance- not just academics but also service, leadership, and character.</p>

<ol>
<li>French honor society should probably kick you out with your 710. Horrendous.</li>
</ol>

<p>Haha. Can they kick out their president?</p>

<p>...well, actually that brings a lot of revoutionary war history to mind but nevermind. haha</p>

<ol>
<li>Is your key club involvement even regional?</li>
</ol>

<p>I mentioned a lot of trivial, unimportant things- club membership being one of that. Thank you for catching that.</p>

<ol>
<li>I wonder what else you could do in a dance group.</li>
</ol>

<p>You would be surprised. </p>

<ol>
<li>Have you achieved excellence in clarinet? We Asians have to own at everything we do. If you did not own the clarinet, you fail.</li>
</ol>

<p>Hmm, I don't like to put myself in a niche with the whole "Asian achievement syndrome" because, quite frankly, while I am very attentive towards my grades, I do what I do because it makes me happy and feel good. That's why I only played the clarinet for two years. </p>

<ol>
<li>Instead of helping shelve books in the library, you could have been giving those books away to kids in Tanzania.</li>
</ol>

<p>I love the library. And I have actually held two book fundraisers to send an accumualted total of about 2,500 books to schools in third world countries. Did I mention that? I can't recall.</p>

<ol>
<li>JV Tennis is useless. Who cares about JV when there are probably hundreds of applications who have played varsity for all four years of high school?</li>
</ol>

<p>Quite right. Again, one of the trivial parts of my application. It is significant because after playing for two years, I realized I didn't really care about tenniss and I pursued things that interested me. So, an integral part of my application..just for different reasons.</p>

<ol>
<li>They are not dream schools if you have eight of them. They are just colleges that you are considering at that point.</li>
</ol>

<p>Of course. And you're right about that. My dream school is Columbia and a close second would be Princeton( key word being "dream") and the other schools are a combination of programs/undergrad studies, intellectual environmenent, diversity, stuident activism( and opportunties) and location choice schools. </p>

<p>I am a bit fanciful- there are many ivies on the list. Oh well.</p>

20

<p>I too feel that you need a few safeties (atleast two). I know a friend who had pretty much the same profile with probably more and better ECs and bot regected from all Ivies except for UPenn where he as waitlisted. Anyway he applied for engineering which I feel is more compititive that political science.</p>

<p>If you are from the north or northwest and like the cold weather, you should consider Indiana University and UMich. Both offer excellent courses in political science and are surely safeties for you. Remember if you are financially sound, it doesnt hurt to apply at more!</p>