Chances + Help Narrowing Down My List?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm a rising senior interested in majoring in art and looking to become a graphic designer. I've decided not to apply to any art schools mostly because of my financial situation and I want to be able to double major. I would like some honest and frank advice regarding my chances and the schools I am currently looking at.
I am hoping to apply ED to Brown and UPenn through the Questbridge program and the rest of my (still mostly unrefined) list currently includes: Duke, Amherst, WUSTL, Cornell, Yale, Wesleyan, Middlebury, Hamilton, Virginia Commonwealth, and Lehigh. I'd like to be able to narrow it down some more but I'm not sure where I stand in terms of reaches, targets, safeties. </p>

<p>My Stats
-GPA: 3.81 unweighted
-2300 SAT I (800CR/720M/780W)
-790 SAT II Lit
-760 SAT II Math IIC (should I retake this?)
-AP Studio Art: 5 (not allowed to take APs/IBs until junior/senior year)
*We do not rank</p>

<p>My School:
-Competitive public school (requires testing + interview to get in)
-There are approx. 260 people in my grade but I believe we are grouped by our "majors" so, in terms of colleges, I'm in a class of approx. 40-60 people
-Lowest level of classes is "honors" so every core class I take is immediately at least Honors-level</p>

<p>Senior Course Load:
-AP Psychology
-AP Calculus AB
-AP Art History
-IB Literature
-IB World History
-Honors French V
-Art courses (I'm an art major at my high school)</p>

<p>Relevant Extracurriculars, etc.:
-200 hours of volunteer service
-Vice President of National Art Honor Society
-Yearbook Editor
-Webmaster for several clubs and for Student Council my freshmen year
-Scholastic Gold Key and Scholastic Honorable Mention for Art
-Art director for school band/orchestra (first to establish position; I also did percussion)
-Art director for school musical
-Designed booklet/took photographs for school event
-Graphic Designer for an online magazine directed towards Asian-American girls (unpaid)
-Member of an art group that goes around to different conventions/venues selling our products/pieces
-Member of National Honor Society
-Member of French Honor Society
-I work under my aunt's travel agency, doing minor design work, etc. but not for an official paycheck or anything
-Have an internship lined up with a publishing company </p>

<p>Summer Activities:
-Junior Year I went to a summer program at the Maryland Institute College of Art under scholarship and also received a scholarship for my work afterwards (a shame, since I won't even be applying..)
-This summer, I went to Korea for two weeks through a Korean government program that offered ethnic Koreans all around the world a chance to connect with their motherland for only $500; selection process included sending in grades, essay, etc. It was cool ^^</p>

<p>Personal:
-Asian female
-First generation American and college student
-Income: Both my parents are currently unemployed but last year it was around $45,000
*I need some serious financial aid</p>

<p>Recs, Etc.
-My recs are coming from my lit teacher and french teacher, both of whom have seen improvement in me over my junior year but I'm a little quiet in class so I'm not sure how "special" they'll come out
-I have some confidence in my essays</p>

<p>I also had some questions regarding the college admissions process. If my lower grades and weaknesses were mainly in the maths and sciences, is that somewhat forgivable considering that I want to major in art? Not that I'm trying to excuse myself or anything - I'm just curious. Also, is it advantageous or detrimental that I want to major in art at schools where art may not be a very popular major (as opposed to biology, engineering, etc.)?
And is there anything I could do now to help my chances, especially at Brown? I'm absolutely in love with the place and I'm really hoping to have a good shot there.</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>Although I’m not so sure about the art questions, I think that you have a very good chance at Brown! All of your scores are right on target, and even though your GPA might be a LITTLE lower than usual, adcoms are understanding people. Make your essays shine and you’ll be just fine! </p>

<p>Chance me back? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1201352-cmu-upenn-uc-berkeley-chances.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1201352-cmu-upenn-uc-berkeley-chances.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thanks, I’ll make sure to work super hard on the essays!
I’ll try to look over your chances a little more later but, skimming it, it looks like you’d be a competitive applicant for any of the schools you’re applying to! I’d just stay on focus your junior year since it’s the most crucial :)</p>

4

<p>bump ? some more insight would be very much appreciated.

  • my list now has UMich, Boston U, UMass Amherst, and PennState but I took out Yale, Cornell, Lehigh, and Hamilton. I am also reconsidering applying to UPenn early through Questbridge; probably just through regular admissions.</p>
5

<p>Not sure how the Questbridge program works. If it helps with the FA - that is great!
You stand a fantastic chance at UMich, Boston U, UMass Amherst, and PennState (ie. I would say you are in for sure) - just not sure about the finances for the state schools if you need a lot of aid but I think all of the schools on this part of the list would love to have you as a student.
As for the other schools - you are a VERY impressive applicant. Brown & Penn are reaches for pretty much everyone but I think you stand a good chance of getting into one of those schools. You have awesome scores and your activities are interesting. You also should get into Middlebury & Wesleyan.
Not exactly sure about you art major question but my best guess would be that it should help you. Schools are looking to put together an interesting class. Your interest & talents in art might be a fabulous balance to all of the biology & engineering majors!
I think you are going to have a bunch of great acceptance letters!</p>

6

<p>Thank you so much! I’m a little iffy on the money I can get from state schools as well but it’s just hard finding good schools with art programs…
I really hope you’re right about all of this :)</p>

7

<p>1520 SAT
… only 2 SATIIs</p>

<p>Testing-wise you are lacking for an asian.</p>

8

<p>have you considered CMU? </p>

<p>This is actually not helping you narrow down but i think cmu has some attributes that you are looking for</p>

9

<p>@SheepGetKilled - I’m aware that two SAT IIs are the bare minimum but I didn’t think it’d make too much of a difference by taking another and possibly diverting attention from the others. I also felt that my 2300 was adequate for the schools I am applying to. I would have liked a higher score but I didn’t think fifty or so more points would make or break it for me, even if I am Asian…</p>

<p>@UrbanNight - I had considered CMU but I heard the financial aid is rather weak. I do know their graphic design program is very good though, which is why I was hesitant to leave it off my list :expressionless: I’ll take another look at it though, thank you!</p>