chances for some schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>UC Berkeley
UCLA
UCSD
USC
University of Virginia
Universiy of Michigan
Carnegie Mellon University
NYU
Vanderbilt University
Rice University
Columbia University
Washington University in Saint Louis
University of Chicago
Johns Hopkins
Duke University
Northwestern University
Boston College</p>

<p>I know this is an extensive list; please choose a FEW to evaluate my chances for, obviously, preferably the ones you know most about.</p>

<p>GPA: UC GPA- 4.33 sophomore, 4.83 junior, and a few up coming community college summer courses, putting average at around 4.6-4.7 (yeah, I know about the 8-point cap, but that's strictly only for eligibility and is not used for actual review)
Everywhere else- I don't know how and if the other individual schools recalculate GPA, but if my cumulative freshman-sophomore-junior is used with EVERY course, it's about a 4.3. Again, I am not educated enough on how privates and OOS publics calculate GPA.</p>

<p>Courses: Freshman (inconsequential to UCs for GPA)- French 2, Geometry, English, Acc Bio, Health/World Geography, Concert Band, PE
Sophomore-French 3, Adv Algebra II, AP Euro, Honors Chemistry, Adv English, Tennis/Weights, Symphonic Band
Junior- AP Chem, AP English Language, APUSH, Honors Precalculs, Honors Physics, Symphonic Band, Robotics
Senior-AP Calculus AB, AP Physics, AP Comparative Politics, AP Music Theory, AP Economics, English 12 (blocked with Comp Gov so can't take AP Lit) and Symphonic Band</p>

<p>I recieved A's in everything so for (junior currently) with the exception of a B in French 2 as a freshman. UC gpa at least discards freshman grades and all PE and robotics.</p>

<p>SAT: 2150, will definitely retake, but evaluate as if I had to use this score (750 CR, 720 W, 680[messed up stupidly] M) I KNOW I can get it above 2200 though.
SATII: Pending
ACT: Pending </p>

<p>APs: 5 on Euro and hopefully on everything else as well,</p>

<p>ECs: -Have played oboe and English Horn for 5 years and am in 2 major youth orchestras. Coprincipal in the better one (haha). Selected to county honor band in freshman and junior year (couldn't do sophomore). Commit around 20 hours a week to this at least.
-Play flute on the side for about 7 years
-Robotics involvement for 3 years, including FIRST events
-Varsity Track and Field for junior and senior year (pole vaulting
-Dissenters Club (club to promote political dissent and debate)
-Young Democrats Club</p>

<p>Community Service: -around 400 hours of peer tutoring
-around 100 hours volunteering at local thrift shop to provide clothing and mechandise to the disadvantaged
-Youth orchestra played in a number of concerts for charity, including a major festival at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco to raise money for orphans in the Bay Area.
-CSF</p>

<p>Leadership:-Cofounder and vicepresident of Dissenters Club
-As mentioned, coprincipal oboist at major youth orchestra
-With a friend, have started a private charity organization to raise awareness and donations for humanitarian and social issues. Treated as a nonprofit group, had to incorporate with state approval.
-Administrator for website of organization
-May attend one of the many conferences I have been "invited" to (probably a scam though)</p>

<p>Awards: -Most probably AP Scholar with Honor (only 4 AP tests by application time, but 7 total weighted, so no real harm I hope)
-Probably Commended National Merit
-6th level Academic Letter Award (school award)
-Staff Choice Award (freshman)
-Voted Most Dedicated Musician in Concert Band
-Voted Most Outstanding Musician in Symphonic Band
-Fact that I made county honor band has afforded me a number of awards
-Third place at VEX Robotics competition
-Part of second place team for FIRST robotics regionals (probably doesn't count)
-Honor roll
-Entered major essay contest, results pending </p>

<p>I think I can come up with some great essays.</p>

<p>I have basically no summer accomplishments (had to go to India to take care of grandfather first 2 HS summers), but will be taking English and Anthropolgy at a community college this summer (forced to, all the good courses taken). For UCs, grades in these classes will be weighted like APs. Small chance for a job, but probably not.</p>

<p>Additional Information: Ethnicity-South Asian
High School-relatively competative public in Northern California
Rank-None officially, but there is some stiff competition in my class
HS GPA system-4.0 scale with an extra point for honors/AP</p>

<p>Ok, I know this is a lot to read through and evaluate. Thanks a lot in advance. Also, it may seem as if I emphasized UCs throughout, but don't limit to these, I just happen to know the rules especially well for them.</p>

2

<p>UC Berkeley - 60%
UCLA - 75%
UCSD - 100%
USC - 80%
University of Virginia - 75%
Universiy of Michigan - 75%
Carnegie Mellon University - 75%
NYU - 75% (When you apply, convey your knowledge of the school. That’s the #1 tip our admissions counselor to NYU told us at a college night)
Vanderbilt University - 60%
Rice University - 50%
Columbia University - 20%
Washington University in Saint Louis - 35%
University of Chicago - Essays determine whether or not you get in. Your stats are very competitive though
Johns Hopkins - 30% (popular school)
Duke University - 20%
Northwestern University - 20%
Boston College - 30% (popular school)</p>

<p>Where you should also consider:
Cornell - 25%
UNC Chapel Hill - 75%</p>

<p>Ultimately, since you are in-state UCB would be an amazing value! I’m jealous :)</p>

<p>Chance back: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/718960-chance-me-i-will-love-you-forever.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/718960-chance-me-i-will-love-you-forever.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thanks for the input. </p>

<p>So, specifically, what are the relative weights of you %s? Is a 30% for example considered low or a decent shot?</p>

4

<p>30% is a decent shot.
10% would be a low shot.
60% + would be a high shot.</p>

5

<p>ok, thanks a lot.</p>

6

<p>anyone else?</p>

7

<p>aannnyyyyonnnneeee???</p>

8

<p>I know you’re anxious, and would like people to reassure you that you have a 75% or an 80% or a 100% chance of admission to the schools you’re considering, but in truth no one here can really tell you what your chances at any particular school might be based on the limited information these sorts of posts allow. </p>

<p>For instance, no one here can see your full transcript. We don’t know what your 4.33 GPA represents in terms of taking advantage of all that your high school offers. Colleges don’t make admissions decisions based on GPA alone, they look at what’s behind the GPA. The University of California schools, for instance, will consider the number of courses you’ve taken in the A-G requirements. Someone with a 4.33 GPA who’s exceeded all the A-G requirements will have different chances than someone with a 4.33 GPA who’s met the minimums in all but one or two areas. </p>

<p>We also don’t know your class rank, which, for the UC’s can really make a difference if you’re in the top 4% of your class. So, that’s another piece of the puzzle that prevents anyone here from really estimating your chances at the UC’s.</p>

<p>As you know, the UC’s also use a system called “comprehensive review” to make admissions decisions. Comp review points are assigned based on a number of factors, including leadership, special talents, overcoming obstacles, and even the high school you’ve attended. Although you’ve indicated some data points about yourself, it’s impossible to say how those facts might add up in terms of comprehensive review points, because (1) we don’t know you or your accomplishments and (2) much will depend on how strongly and clearly you are able to convey those in your essays and other UC application materials.</p>

<p>The UC’s aren’t unique. While they use their own strange GPA computation, all colleges will look closely at your transcript to see how you’ve challenged yourself. They’ll also look most closely at your grades in core academic subjects (math, English, science, social studies, foreign language) and less closely at “electives.” So, take your transcript and pull out your GPA for those core academic subjects each year. Think about what your grades and course selections might say to an admissions committee about you – are you someone who tends to best in the courses that interest you most, or are you someone who enjoys learning no matter how challenging the course? Look closely at those trends - what changed to help you bring those grades up? What does that say about you as an applicant?</p>

<p>By the same token, colleges don’t admit LISTS of extracurriculars. They admit students who have pursued their interests and talents as much as possible. They also admit students who have contributed, not because it would “look good for college” but because they really enjoy making a contribution. So, look over your extracurriculars and think about what they might say about you as an applicant. How do they reflect who you are, where you’ve come from, where you’re going, what you value? How can you best show that in your application materials (essays, and, where available, recommendations and interviews)? How does this relate to the colleges you’re considering – is it a match for the type of student they’re looking for? Why or why not?</p>

<p>You may notice that I’m encouraging you to step back and think a little bit more about who you are, and how who you are is reflected in your grades, test scores, interests, and eventually, how it will be reflected in your application.</p>

<p>The reason I am doing so is because, ultimately, the best judge of your chances at any particular college is NOT going to be a bunch of strangers on the internet, but YOU. There are no guarantees. You may think that you’re terrific and still get rejected, but the more you know what your strengths are INSIDE and the stronger you focus on conveying those strengths on the OUTSIDE in your applications, the better your chances of admission will be at most colleges.</p>

<p>So, trust that you can do just as good a job estimating your chances as a bunch of strangers. Spend some time thinking about what makes you special and how you can get that across to colleges. Then, make sure your list includes some solid safeties, and give it your best shot. And, most of all, try not to drive yourself crazy with worry. It’s only natural to want to be told that your chances are great, but that can give you a false sense of security. By the same token, if you post on boards like this and are shot down, you may get so worried you’ll sell yourself short. So, trust your own judgement and evaluate yourself honestly. If you still need input, ask people who know you well what they think your strengths and weaknesses are (of course, if they can’t see your transcript, they still won’t be able to give you a full assessment) Then, talk to your school counselor about how your transcript and personal qualities compare to others from your school who’ve been admitted to the schools you are interested in. I know it is stressful and scary, but chance are, if you are honest with yourself, you already know what your odds are at the colleges that interest you. If you really worried about it, don’t keep asking other people for reassurance. The solution is to add some safer bets to your list that you are fairly certain you’ll be admitted to, and then do your best on your applications, and hope for the best with the ones that worry you most. Good luck!</p>

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<p>^ Good advice. The OP shouldn’t worry about getting into some great schools, though :)</p>

10

<p>I appreciate the input. </p>

<p>Having said that, I would expect that advice from the standard guidance counselor. I am fully aware that opinions are in fact opinons and that the chances on this site on the large part will mean very little. However, even if asking for peple to “chance” me may be petty and a waste of time, I still, as you said, would like the rise I get out of this, a temporary psychological stimulus to keep me going. And by the looks of this particular messageboard, about 99% of the posters, whether they know it are not, are looking for the exact same thing.</p>

<p>Still, thanks again for the advice.</p>

11

<p>bummmppp…anyone else please?</p>

12

<p>buummmpppppppppp.</p>