Chances for an Asian Female at Top Ivies?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I really don't think speaking 7 languages is a hook. Colleges consider hooks to be something beneficial to them, such as URMs for a more diverse place, or USAMO'ers who'll help them in math. What is a person with 7 languages going to do for them? Plus, your SAT scores in languages really aren't that good. </p>

<p>Yoru EC's are overall very good. You have 2 major projects that were successful. However, the officers might be a little confused with your major. </p>

<p>Overall, I'd say you're in good shape. You have good grades, good scores, and nice EC's.</p>

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<p>I thought my activities were attune with my major but I guess it makes sense to me and not others! lol. that can be both a good and bad thing.</p>

<p>essentially, i've invested my energy into acting as a humanitarian/activist the past couple years because I did witness poverty and it struck a chord. From there, I developed an interest in history, then politics, etc. It's all very interelated to me. I want to major in political science with a focus on international relations not because I want to enter law or politics but hopefully, UN department jobs or something in that field. I've volunteered with local political office members but I thought it too trivial and temporary of a position to list. </p>

<p>I feel that my passion will be my key to Columbia. If it doesn't shine through, then, well, I move on. But, learning languages, and all my philanthropy and my nonprofit are all tied together- in my eyes. </p>

<p>I've never been a stringently academic student- as my records show. I've always gotton A's and I've fared well on standarized tests but I don't get upset over not getting 800's or high 750's or > 2300's, etc. I'm not trying to be defensive- but I'm hoping to explain what may seem confusing to others. For many students , especially those hoping to enter pre-med, mathamatical and science related fields, you kind of need those scores or you feel like you need to because of that stiff competition. I feel, at times, that I need to too but I let that go because you can't be perfect and I am satisfied with that. I feel that my scores aren't terrible and they are up to par. They may not be the best- but that hasn't been my main focus. I've spent a lot of time doing things that will help others and I feel that while I could have spent those hours I spent prepping for a book drive or a major event, I could have spent on SAT's or SAT II's, I'm much prouder of myself with knowing that okay, you may have gotton a 710 but you provided a world to a group of children in Kenya. It sounds cheesy but that's really how I feel and evaluate my success. I know it's really hard and trying to get into these schools and I'm counting on not getting in but you always have that bit of hope- that's why we all post on here and we go look at other people's posts because no matter how extreme the odds are against you, it's in our nature to think and hope otherwise. I hope this explains some things. I also don't look at seven languages as a "hook" persay, but more like something that may be unique about me. I feel that while it may not be apparent, it does contribute something- at least towards my major. If I seek a UN assisant job in another country and obviously, there will be many applicants, I feel that my language skills will definitely come into play. For most of those tiypes of jobs, there is a language requisite.</p>

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<p>A word about the grades question. It's true that perfect grades aren't necessary for Ivy acceptance. However, just as upward grade trends are good, downward grade trends are bad. 5 B's would be fine in Freshman year. As you go along, these grades probably become less acceptable. It'll look like you're "burned out," which is not a good indicator for success in college, which is why colleges look at grades in the first place. Just saying...that may hurt you if you do not take steps to ameliorate the situation.</p>

<p>I agree with Serafina, your personal statement will be valuable to you. Use it to make yourself look stronger, and emphasize your ECs and passions as you have mentioned.</p>

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<p>If I had a legitimate illness excuse that would explain my grades( and my counselor will put in his report), would that excuse or perhaps ameliorate the situation?</p>

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<p>^I believe so, at least it will help.</p>

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<p>Haha, thanks so much! It's stupid, but your guys' comments means so much. I was out of school for two months with mono- that definitely impacted my grades,etc.</p>

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<p>Scared4College (and all you guys too):</p>

<p>1) I think overall you have good stats/qualifications. you can apply to anywhere and still have chances. How much chance? that depends. if it's hypsm (super dream schools for most), it's slim 10% plus minus. if it's top schools (ranked top 10), it's getting a bit more, then 20 so a little bit more and so on. that's the fact.</p>

<p>2) but i don't think stats/ecs etc. are everything. it's the way they're all tied together to make you a person, a real life person that reflects a fit for the school you're applying. why you are a fit for the school and why the school fits you (a two-way match). some call this 'positioning yourself', 'making yourself stand out among all others' and so on. i wanna call it 'the all-tied-in packaging'. all the academic achievements/standardized test scores/ecs/tech recs/essays all tied in and packaged (sorry for the word) that presents you as a perfect fit. </p>

<p>3) college admissions process is just like the job interview. you have to be a fit to the corp you're applying to. have all basic qualifications (academics/past job experience, if any), the potential, the passion, and character. one can have all the stats and figures but couldn't pass the interview (the college app in our case) because of character like sounding overqualified, self-centered, too bashing. it must have a proper balance between self-confidence, strong determination and the other extremes.</p>

<p>4) we have to remember cc posters are above average in every way, academics, credentials, self-confidence, outspokenness. so if one wants opinion, real opinion, simply ask; thank you very much, your points noted, comments greatly appreciated. but try not to fight back (violently verbal).
don't add up the heat. it's already getting very hot. in case of overly heated debate, comments (both positive and particularly negative) might not truly reflect one's real intention. </p>

<p>cc boards are the best. make the best and the most out of it.</p>

<p>5) Scared4College: you still have a lot of time, i guess you're applying this year. so calm down. concentrate on your studies. search for more on cc and elsewhere. develop your strengths and spend more time on how to proceed with your college admissions. calm down pls. you have a lot, and i mean a lot in store. good luck and best wishes.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I was out of school for two months with mono- that definitely impacted my grades,etc.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Ah, I know how that one is. I had that for at least 4 months. Never missed school, but I was late practically every day and had a really hard time getting my homework done because I kept sleeping so much...<em>twitch</em> Gah...</p>

<p>Teachers seem to know that having mono has an impact on you, so adcoms probably also recognize that, hopefully.</p>

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<p>OP, I think your ID is a perfect representation of yourself.</p>

<p>Scared4College</p>

<p>You seem so desperate. chill down.</p>