Chances for Ivy ED

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, I'm a junior thinking about applying ED for one of my dream schools: Princeton, Brown, Columbia...and possibly Dartmouth.
I know these schools are all overwhelemingly difficult to get in, but I just wanted to ask some advice about choosing ED schools.
My all time fantasy school is obviously Princeton. But I reallize this is an unrealistic dream. So I am looking mostly into Brown. </p>

<p>So my question is... should I apply to Princeton so I will not have the foolish "what ifs" or should I wake up and apply to Brown? It's not that I don't like Brown. It's just that I really love Princeton...(Everybody has a right to dream, I guess.) You guys look sensible people in these things, so I am asking for your advice.</p>

<p><em>GPA and class rank</em></p>

<p>1/250</p>

<p>GPA 5.7 (really wierd), I have one A- in 9th grade PE, so I'm guessing 3.99 out of the 4.0 scale</p>

<p>Midwestern school, not too chellenging, most go to state school, maybe 5-6 consider top 20 universities, one went to Caltech this year, one Brown last year, one stanford the year before.</p>

<p><em>APs</em></p>

<p>Macroeconomics- 5</p>

<p><this year="" predictions="">
Calc AB- definately a 5
US history- hoping for a 5 <self-study>
Physics B- can't guess but 3 or 4
US government- probably 5 <self-study></self-study></self-study></this></p>

<p>(My school offers about 7 APs, all focused in math and science area with the exception of lit)</p>

<p>Next year: I am taking Eng&Lit, Calc BC, Physics C, and I think I will self-study World history and French.</p>

<p><em>SATs</em></p>

<p>PSAT: 219
I think I can get around 2250 when I really take it in Oct.</p>

<p>M2: 790
US history: just took it. hoping for 800 but probably 750+
Physics: taking in June...hopefully we will cover all the materials by then. predictions like anything above 730. hopefully like 770 but I don't know.</p>

<p>I took ACT last month... and again in this june... I don't know about the scores yet.</p>

<p><em>EC</em></p>

<p>Swimming (2 Varsity letters)
Founder and President of Book Club
Student Literary Magazine- editor-in-cheif next year, writer and editor for last 3 years
President of Internatial Amnesty
Treasurer of Key Club
Secretary of French Club
Elected officer of NHS
Philosophy Club- founding member and VP</p>

<p><em>Awards</em></p>

<p>(nothing significant, rather random)
Wash U Book Award
1st place Optimist Essay Contest (local level)
Numerous "small" math awards and other "good student" awards</p>

<p><em>Summer activities</em></p>

<p>CTD, Equinox Philosophy honors
CTD, Equinox AP European History
Junior Statesmen Sumer school at Princeton, Political Philosophy(this summer)
Civic Leadership Institue (this summer) </p>

<p><em>Others</em>
Oh, btw, I'm an East Asian Female.(Not an immigrant. Legal alien. So international. I've been in the states for 4 years) Family income little over 60K.</p>

<p>Fin aid is a semi-issue (parents told me they'll loan me money all four years.. but I still want to apply for the aid. I heard a lof of rumors about it... but still, I don't want to burden my parents with all of my tuition) </p>

<p><em>Essay ideas</em></p>

<p>thinking about my relationship with my mom, how our coming to US has affected me, and just my adoration of my mom studying so hard at age 47.</p>

<p>Another one probably more on my interest in poetry and philosophy. I'm not so sure about this yet. I might talk about my poetry booklets (about 20 pages, and I have two and another will be coming out this summer; not copy-righted or anything fancy but still means a lot to me) or have my english teacher write about it.</p>

<p>Perhpas I should include my interest in international relations. But the thing is, although I feel strongly about this, I am not 100% sure if I will major in this.. I'm looking more toward history and social science areas than politics..</p>

<p>I'm not an exactly a "wow" person. Just average, or even slightly below average Ivy applicant. But I want to hear your opinions on where I should apply early. </p>

<p>And my list of college at current state is:</p>

<p>(the four Ivies I already mentioned)
+
Amherst
Georgetown
Wellseley
Wash U
U of Chicago
Northwestern U
Michicgan AA
U of Virginia</p>

<p>Any other suggestions?</p>

<p>Sorry for the very long and unorganized thoughts.
And thanks!</p>

2

<p>Ivies are are a reach without a hook. Your numbers will get you into some of the large state schools you mentioned.</p>

3

<p>With a 2200+ , you obviously have the numbers to get into any school. However, i'm a little worried that you don't have any EC's that truly stand out. I believe you have a decent/good chance of getting into all of the schools besides the four ivies. I think you will get in to at least one of the four ivies, but you never know. GL</p>

4

<p>What state are you from? Which midwestern state it is actually matters.</p>

5

<p>illinois... if that matters. Thanks for the comments. but I still want to know which school I should apply ED.. anyone?</p>

6

<p>ECs don't particularly stand out? And no "hook"? I got into all my schools (including Columbia) and if that's the case mine didn't stand out very much either... and I have no hook to speak of. ;-) In fact, my activities are pretty close to yours -- I am President of the NHS chapter at my school and editor-in-chief of my school's literary magazine. If people say this is not work, then... well, what's work? It takes up most of my time. I have the same amount of important awards as Martin Scorsese has Oscars. </p>

<p>Pick the school you like the best ED. In your case, Princeton. As for financial aid, my parents were the same -- they are able to (not comfortably, mind) pay the $50,000 a year at those schools, but I wouldn't want them to. And as far as I know, Princeton gives a lot of scholarship money for families who demonstrate need. If you don't want to apply ED at all, that's completely understandable -- I don't think it will give you a HUGE advantage if you do either way, but it's always good to let the school know you are enthusiastic about them. Have you visited both Brown and Princeton? If not, you should, then decide.</p>