Chances for Duke/WUSTL/UMich/Vanderbilt

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>I know that this is probably the millionth "what are my chances" threads, but I would love some help/advice. I know college admissions can be hit and miss sometimes, but it would be great if you could give me some reasonable advice about my chances to some schools.</p>

<p>I was planning mainly to apply to the following colleges (ordered in terms of preference):</p>

<p>1)Any Ivy League really (don't really think I have much of a chance though)
1)Washington University St. Louis
2)Duke
3)Vanderbilt
4)UMich Ann Arbor
5)UCLA</p>

<p>And here are some of my resume/stats for applications (I am a current junior by the way)</p>

<p>School:</p>

<p>Classes This Year:</p>

<p>IB English HL 1
IB TOK
IB Psychology SL
IB Physics HL 1
Honors Spanish 4
IB Chemistry HL 1
IB Biology HL 1
IB Math SL </p>

<p>Classes Next Year:</p>

<p>All HL 1 classes continue to HL 2
IB Spanish SL
AP language Comp.
AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>(I don't know about scores on the AP/IB tests for these classes [because I haven't taken them obviously], but I don't really think they matter for college acceptance)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 Unweighted, 4.22 weighted (as of now, still have 3 semesters to go as its middle of junior year)</p>

<p>Class Rank: 1 of 600</p>

<p>Lastly, I am in the IB DP program, and I do hope to get my IB diploma </p>

<p>Standardized Tests:</p>

<p>ACT: 34 composite
PSAT: 235 (think I will be a semi/finalist)
SAT: haven't taken yet, but do plan to in the summer</p>

<p>In School ECs:</p>

<p>Robotics Team
Math Club/Mathlete
Spanish National Honors Society
Spanish Club Member
Varsity Debate Team Member
Politics Club
Peer Tutor - 25 hours</p>

<p>Outside of School ECs/Volunteering:</p>

<p>Local Library Volunteering: about 65 hours
Local Hospital Volunteering: about 140 hours
Mental Disability Assistance Camp Volunteering (work with disabled children): about 40 hour
Local Food Shelter: about 10 hours</p>

<p>Also, I was accepted for a research work at the local med school (UNMC), which will be full time, 40 hours a week, of research (though it is unpaid)</p>

<p>By, the way, all of these values are of as of right now, so the volunteering time will most likely increase by senior year.</p>

<p>Awards:</p>

<p>Not too much, but a TON of debate tournament awards and a few in school recognition awards</p>

<p>So, can I get your guys' honest opinion on my chances at any of the schools listed above? Any help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks a lot!</p>

2

<p>Quick BUMP! Thanks again for those who looked/and or replied to this</p>

3

<p>Are you applying to every ivy?</p>

4

<p>Well, I was just wondering if I had ANY chances of making it into an Ivy League. Most likely though, I will NOT be applying to all the Ivy leagues. If (by the time application time comes around) I feel somewhat confident in what I have to offer (like a hopeful 2300+ on the SAT), I do plan to apply to Brown, Cornell, and Dartmouth.</p>

<p>Anyways, what do you guys think about my chances for the schools (WUSTL is probably my top choice outside of IBs that I would love to attend)</p>

5

<p>Ivies are always a crapshoot but you’ll get into the rest</p>

6

<p>BUMP! Thanks for everyone who shared their opinions. </p>

<p>And yeah, just to let everyone know, the Ivys that I plan on applying to are Brown, Cornell, and Dartmouth (uber reaches, i know)</p>

7

<p>I’ll say all in, except for Duke and the Ivys, Duke because you’re out of state.</p>

8

<p>I believe you will surpass the threshold for academic preparedness at any elite school, all of the ivies, etc.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, your ECs are just a few clubs (no leadership), no sports, no passions, along with some typical volunteer stuff. These are not typical EC’s of the candidates that are accepted to any of the top 12 schools - From Harvard to Northwestern.</p>

<p>I would rate you as a REACH for all the top 12 schools (most Ivies and Duke) along with Brown.</p>

<p>I would say that you are a high match/low reach for Wash U, Vanderbilt, Cornell</p>

<p>I would say you are a Safety/Match at U Michigan and UCLA.</p>

9

<p>Yeah, I know my ECs aren’t that great. In all senses though, probably the strongest EC i have is my full time summer research at Med School. </p>

<p>As for leadership, I am a tutor for novice policy debaters as a varsity member, as well as a secretary position within politics club, and I am in the line to being captain of the robotics team next year :)</p>

<p>As for passions, I have done debate a full 3 years, and have been a member of the math/science team for quite a while…</p>

<p>I hope my academics can boost my rather weak ECs.</p>

10

<p>^It is not my impression that it works that way at most elite schools. </p>

<p>IMO, academics do not boost weak EC’s. Its pass/fail, either you meet the academic preparedness threshold (which I believe you meet) or not. IF you do, then you are simply passed to the next threshold which is “fit and contribution”. This is where your overall character, EC’s, essays, letters of rec, etc are puzzled together by the adcoms to determine if you are a good fit for the campus culture and what unique qualities that you would bring to campus. Some of the qualities you demontrated that allowed you to get a 4.0 GPA would be considered but your grades/scores will no longer be a determining factor. And I believe it is this phase of the admission process that will present more of a challenge for you at the elite schools. </p>

<p>You certainly have a shot at any of your choices so is worth applying. Perhaps your essay responses can help sell your EC’s as well.</p>

11

<p>Yeah, my goal has mainly been to get across that “sciences” are my most prominent passion. Not only am I in all three science core subjects with HL in the IB curriculum, but I also have TONS of other science affiliated stuff within my course work. Overall, I think I have taken 9.5 years of science since high school. </p>

<p>Beyond that, being a participant and team member of our school chem team, as well as writing an Extended Essay on medical biology, I hope to continue to convey my strong scientific background. Beyond that, with a full time internship with research at the med center, I really want to continue to substantiate my claims that science is my passion. Lastly, with over 200 hours of community service at hospitals/other medical buildings, as well as planned physician shadowing, I want to fully convey my interests and passion in learning about the sciences.</p>

<p>My intended major is Biochem if anyone was wondering by the way.</p>

12

<p>BUMP! </p>

<p>Please Reply everyone, and thanks to those who have given their ideas/advice!</p>

13

<p>I think you have a shot at Cornell, as far as Ivies go. And I think you’re a strong match for any of the rest of your schools.</p>

14

<p>Your academics are great and can meet the academic qualification aspect of any school, plus give you a bit more of an edge.</p>

<p>However, your ECs are a bit weaker in comparison to other candidates at top schools, since they lack leadership or really any one experience that seems to stick out. If you do well with your essays and recs, and handle your ECs well in any essays related to them (i.e. a significant, meaningful EC experience, not a laundry list), that will strengthen you considerably.</p>

<p>1)Any Ivy League really (don’t really think I have much of a chance though)</p>

<p>You definitely have a shot, and it’s worth applying. However, they’re impossible to predict and Ivies are never anything but reaches. You do have a fighting chance, though.</p>

<p>1)Washington University St. Louis</p>

<p>You have a fighting chance here, too.</p>

<p>2)Duke</p>

<p>Duke seems to really like the IB, so that can help. I’d consider this a low reach.</p>

<p>4)UMich Ann Arbor</p>

<p>Definitely a match. You should have no problem getting in. If you do LSA, you’ll likely make LSA Honors as well.</p>

15

<p>Thanks for the info RedSeven! Probably one of my best life experiences as well as ECs besides full time research was working with mental disabled children during a medical camp. This was a great experience that was not only fun, but meaningful in many angles for obvious reasons. I do plan on continuing research at this camp for the rest of my years in high school as well as talking about it in essays for college. </p>

<p>Anyways, it would be great for anyone else to help out as well! Thanks !</p>

16

<p>BUMP! :slight_smile: Thanks for those who viewed/replied!</p>

17

<p>Bump! ;–)</p>

18

<p>BUMP again! Thanks for those who viewed/posted!</p>

19

<p>Your rank and stats are incredible. Definitely get involved further with your EC’s for senior year, you still have time. Run for every officer position!</p>

20

<p>Thanks jason21! Yeah, I will most definitely do that!</p>