Chances, go figure

<p>Hello, </p>

<p>I've applied to Stanford, Notre Dame, Berkeley and some other colleges and I was just wondering tenative chances. </p>

<p>I am a valedictorian with an unweighted 4.0, pretty good EC's, 2180 on my SAT's and 760, 780, and 680 on SAT II Lit, US History, and Math 1, respectively. I also have 5 honors/AP classes throughout high school. I think that I have good essays and my reccomendations are really good as well.</p>

<p>My hook (call it what you will) is that I come from a very small town in Western Montana. I think/hope that this makes a difference and I focussed on this aspect and how it enriches my perspective in my essay.</p>

<p>I am dying to go to Stanford, but I am aware that it is a reach school. Nevertheless, I am dying here waiting for April!</p>

<p>So, what do you guys think that my chances are?</p>

<p>I would say the sat is a little low for Stanford, but who knows… idk if that counts as a hook, anyone else on here know the answer? Im guessin youre not an urm.. How are your ec’s? btw Sat2 math 1- does Stanford not require math 2? I know a lot of top schools these days are, not sure about Stanford… anwyas id say you’ve got a nice chance, it’s a slight reach, but good luck.</p>

<p>never mind sorry I just reread and you said pretty good ec’s…plus valedictorian. So yea you’ve got a pretty good shot, but I was thinking about your courseload, it doesn’t sound too good but if youre coming from such a small town, that would explain it; is it the toughest you can have there?</p>

<p>SAT's are low for stanford or ivy league schools, which might lead adcoms to believe that there is grade inflation at your school.</p>

<p>Yeah, about that Sat Math 2. I called them and it is reccommended. I am definately not focussed in math and excel in English and History more and they said that it would be better for me to take the math that I was prepared for. My high school doesn't offer calculus anyway. </p>

<p>Oh yeah, I didn't mention that I am National Merit Semifinalist if that makes any different.</p>

<p>My extra curriculars are pretty good I think. My biggest one is being a leader in music leadership at my church which entails playing and practicing music. There are quite a few others as well so, whatever.</p>

<p>Yeah, I know my SAT is a little low. I actually only took it one time. I should have taken it again, but at least I am w/in the median range at Stanford, I guess.</p>

<p>I don't know what an urm is. Sorry for my inexperience!</p>

<p>Thanks for responding.</p>

<p>Yeah, in my mid year report, my principal made it clear that I have sought out any academic opportunities available to me. My school doesn't even have APs, so the stuff I took is all online or actually at University of Montana.</p>

<p>URM - Under Represented Minority.</p>

<p>It's highly unlikely you'll get into Stanford, but Stanford is a reach for almost everybody. You've got a good shot at Notre Dame and Berkeley though.</p>

<p>Just out of curiousity, what did you score on your PSATs?</p>

<p>Yeah I'm prepared to accept that I probably wont get in but a man can dream can't he? If I do though, I will probably spontaneously combust, but I'm not expecting anything. Good luck to everybody who applies!</p>

<p>No I'm not an urm. Just a regular white male, but a Montana white male (hope that helps)</p>

<p>Oh and I don't remember exactly what I got on the PSAT, but it was well above what I needed to advance into the National Merit competition. I'll find out next week whether I am a finalist. Would that help my application at all if I faxed them something?</p>

<p>I do believe that Berkeley(or any UC for that matter) will only accept Math 2, because when the college an career center person from our school addressed our AP classes on SAT II's she made it clear that Math 1 shouldn't be an option and we crossed it off our lists. Anyway, I think that only your top two SAT II scores count for UC's so you should be fine.</p>

<p>Yeah, UC's don't accept Math 1, but they don't require Math 2 (thank the lord!)</p>

<p>I was amazed bc I took only one test twice! That was SAT II Lit. The first time I got a 670 and the second time I got a 760. I was pretty happy with that.</p>

<p>It doesn't matter if calc is offered since Math II doesn't even have calc on it. Just up to pre-calc. I don't think being from a small town is a hook. To be honest, I would consider it more of a "de-hook" because you haven't had as much competition etc etc. Maybe you could get in with a little bit of prayer.</p>

<p>cjanthony:</p>

<p>UCB: Slight Reach (out of state)</p>

<p>Heh, I'll have a word with God and see what he can do. Do any of you know whether a letter of reccomendation from the Almighty would help?</p>

<p>"I don't think being from a small town is a hook. To be honest, I would consider it more of a "de-hook" because you haven't had as much competition etc etc."</p>

<p>Well, he's from Montana too... I think you have a great chance. Being from Montana is good because they want geographical diversity... However, they get a lot more apps from Montana than Wyoming and South Dakota (in previous years we've had times where only 1 person from each state would apply--- )</p>

<p>Yeah, I hope that my essay was good enough to distinguish me from other Montanans. I really talked about my hometown. Would any of you be willing to read it? By the way, thanks for the positive response Harvard 2011. I keep telling myself that each day but I don't know how much I believe it.</p>

<p>the op has a great chance at all of his/her schools considering that he/she is from montana.</p>

<p>You'll get into ND.</p>

<p>i HATE grade inflation so much.</p>

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<p>Just wondering, how can you be so sure that it is grade inflation?</p>

<p>It doesn't seem like huge grade inflation, maybe just a wee bit, but not much at all.</p>