Hey everyone! What do you think are the chances for someone to be accepted into at least 1 Ivy school of the 8 who was qualified enough to be a Nordstrom Scholar? For those of you who don’t know, Nordstrom offers eighty 10,000 dollar scholarships nationally each year to Junior applicants (receive as Senior). The percentage of students who receive the scholarship versus those who were eligible applicants vary from 0.5% to 1.4% The application involves two essays, listing school activities/accomplishments, non schools activities/accomplishments, community service, a recommendation from a teacher, transcript of classes which includes weighted gpa unweighted gpa and class rank, and an interview process with eight selection committee members. So overall the process is extremely similar to college applications. Also assume that this person has decent SAT subject tests (2)/ SAT 1 score / and ACT score of 780 and 800, 2200, and 33 respectively and no hooks (Caucasian male, middle class, normal life) except for very good essays. W Gpa: 4.8 UW Gpa: 4.0
50/50 shot in the dark
Hopefully, you’ll quickly grasp that no one can give you a true sense of your “chances” . Is the Nordstrom award possibly indicative? Well it’s certainly not a bad thing. But if you’re applying to schools which avg 10% admit rates, “crap shoot” is a phrase you need to accept. Lots will ride on your essays and LORs.
But don’t believe anyone who will give you a quantitative reply. That’s BS. An MIT admissions officer sometimes posts on this site. And he categorically says HE can’t predict anyone’s chances. So why should you listen to a know-nothing 17 year old or an old geezer alum like me who would be brash enough to give you a percentage chance? You shouldn’t.
Good luck to you. You’re certainly viable – so research the schools you want to target and go for it. And don’t limit yourself to the Ivies. There are tons of fantastic schools. Many who would fall over themselves to have someone like you.
You’re definitely viable, and I have no doubt they’ll look at your application holistically, but that’s were your list ends. I’m also trying for ivy, Ghanaian female looking for a STEM major in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, or biochem. International residence with US Citizenship. Taking full course load of CIE A levels and IGCSE (CIE.org.uk) many ecs, strong curriculum, awards and publications, journalism blog, charity club founder, MUN Secretary General, etc etc, grades from juicer year aren’t so great, but have been on honor roll before.
That doesn’t mean I’ll have any better chance than u do, or anyone. R u an alumni’s son? Know a huge big wig? Saved the world in ur own rite? I doubt anything really tips these guys over anymore.