Chances for "hidden-Ivies"?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

<p>Colleges **
Reed College
Johns Hopkins
University of Chicago
New York University
Swarthmore
Vassar
**Info
Half Chinese, half white. Fluent in Mandarin. Lived in Taiwan for several years. Typical, generic suburban high school.
**GPA **UW 3.72 W 4.05
**Rank **Top 10%
Full IB Diploma Candidate. Most rigorous curriculum at my school.</p>

<p>Senior year courses IB Physics 1 & 2, IB Chem 2, Anatomy and Phys, IB Calculus, IB Modern World History, IB English.</p>

<p>I am taking two online courses at the local community college; Human Development(PSY 215) and Business Law(BUS 225)
In addition, I am self-studying micro and macro economics and biology. </p>

<p>SAT 2000 CR:640 M:710 W:650 (essay:12)</p>

<p>Subject tests Lit: 590 US His: 630 Spanish:590 [I know...HORRIBLE]
I am taking subjects tests again, but this time in Biology(self study), Literature and Math 2 and working hard to get over 750.</p>

<p>*IB Exams *
Spanish SL - 5
Psychology SL - 5
Planned: History of the Americas HL, Math studies SL, English HL, Physics HL</p>

<p>**AP Exams(planned) **Micro and Macro economics(self study), World History</p>

<p>EC's
Boy Scouts:Eagle Scout. Myriad of leadership positions. Emphasis on leadership, service and outdoor adventure.
Speech and Debate: Degree of Excellence. Model UN. Student Congress.
Varsity Ski Team
Volunteered at local museum(90 hrs). Emphasis on science, leadership and marketing.
Piano
Thespians
High Five Challenge TV Game Show. My competition will be aired on TV.
Volunteering at Oregon Health and Science University.
Studied abroad over summer in Mexican language, politics and culture college.</p>

<p>Awards
Certificate of Initial Mastery(Passed a bunch of tests, essays and speeches)
Rotary Award - IB Theory of Knowledge
Honor School</p>

<p>Employment
Busser at Italian restaurant. 15 hours a week. Saving up for college.</p>

<p>My recs are strong. One is by the IB coordinator. Essay is strong too, I wrote it on a fasting experience. For schools that require writing/research supplements, I am submitting my IB extended essay which is on the neurochemistry behind psychedelic experiences such as LSD, psilocybin, etc(Is that too quirky of a topic? I know Johns Hopkins did a study on this.). I am only interviewing at Reed.</p>

2

<p>Considering only your ECs and your rec’s, you should have a solid shot at all the schools you’ve listed. Also, as you are a part of a rare minority, it might have some positive influence on your chances.
However, as I’m sure you realize, your numbers don’t match up. Your GPA is OK, but it won’t help or hurt you. To be blunt, your test scores are atrocious. Your SAT II’s show that you either didn’t have a solid understanding of the subjects you were tested on or that you didn’t bother to study for these tests. Also, your SAT I scores place you bellow the bottom 25th percentile of all the schools that you are applying for. Although a 12 on the essay section is impressive, the 650 that you got on your writing section only highlights your weakness on the multiple choice sections and may be seen to some as a lack of understanding of English grammar. Your IB scores are not impressive. I’d say that your course load is average but not outstanding.
All in all, you have, as always, a chance for the universities that you’ve listed. Although I’d say that your chances are not high, you should still give it a shot if you really want to go to any of those schools. After all, it is the admissions officers who will decide whether you are admitted and not anyone on these forums.</p>

3

<p>I don’t think the minority part will help- Asians and Caucasians are both overrepresented.
Swarthmore-no chance. They are very unforgiving.
Reed-reach, but you may get lucky because they are hippies and therefore dislike the SAT, your biggest weakness.
U Chicago- This one’s weird because your SATs don’t match up well against them, but they value the essay much more than anything else, and you’re clearly an awesome writer. Still a reach.
Hopkins- Little to no chance-SATs and stuff are weak for them, and they have an abundance of Asian and white males.
NYU- lower reach- all scores in range, but not stacking up too well against them.
Vassar- I think this is more realistic-math 75th percentile, writing 25th, and CR 20th or so, but they want guys.</p>

4

<p>Nobody gets into Vassar because they’re a guy. If NYU, Reed, and Chicago and Johns Hopkins don’t happen, Vassar almost definitely won’t either, guy or girl.</p>

5

<p>u do know JHU doesnt require SAT 2s… they just look at the scores if u have them… and if u did bad on them dont be too worried… make sure u emphasize that ur still smart and just are not a good test taker…</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Yes I’m aware that my SAT’s are horrible especially the subject tests. I only have time to retake the subjects tests and if I do well(750+) I feel it will be a strong boost on my application. Does anyone know how colleges value the IB Diploma which includes IA’s, extended essays, Theory of Knowledge and Creative, Action, Service. My course load is by far the most rigorous curriculum possible at my high school, my counselor actually wanted me to drop some classes. In addition will colleges value classes taken online, independent study or at the community college? I am taking two, but not sure if I should add more. Any recommendations for accredited distance learning options?</p>

7

<p>I know a guy and a girl who got into vassar, and the guy was a druggie so I think you are way more qualified…you’re in there and probably the others as well.</p>

8

<p>“Reed-reach, but you may get lucky because they are hippies and therefore dislike the SAT”</p>

<p>They were hippies years ago, and Reed still requires either SAT or ACT scores to be submitted. The president of Reed defends the requirement:

<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/18/opinion/18diver.html[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/18/opinion/18diver.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

9

<p>this is random…
but a varsity ski team? thats unique.</p>