Chances of Getting into my list of schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey all.</p>

<p>I have made a finalized list and I wanted to know what are my chances of getting into all of the following colleges:</p>

<ol>
<li>Johns Hopkins University</li>
<li>University of Virginia</li>
<li>Boston University</li>
<li>Stevens Institute of Technology</li>
<li>Rutgers (School of Engineering)</li>
<li>The College of New Jersey</li>
<li>University of Delaware</li>
<li>New Jersey Institute of Technology</li>
</ol>

<p>I have a 3.55 GPA. My SAT scores are 1580 (I have a 630 in Math if that is helpful). I am a Hispanic (Dominican Republic and Guatemala), first generation college student, planning to study Mechanical Engineering (UVA: Aerospace). I was a participant of a program NASA offered for students in high school students who had an interest in STEM. I also won two national competitions hosted by Oklahoma State University (on behalf of NASA) and the National Institute of Aerospace while placing as a finalist in a competition hosted by the Conrad Foundation with students from multiple states (all of which were engineering related). I have made the honor roll for the entirety of my sophomore year and at least one semester in my freshman and junior years.</p>

<p>I live in New Jersey and my parents make less than $65,000 a year for a family of 7 and I have an identical twin brother who will graduate and attend college in the fall of 2015, just like me.</p>

<p>I have taken 6 AP classes (I got a 3 in the AP Chemistry exam last year and taking AP Calculus AB this year) and I attend a nationally ranked high school in the inner city. I have participated in various clubs and activities (I'll be highlighting working at a coffee bar at the school). I was a writer and publisher for the school newspaper as well and have participated in the student government. I played in my school's orchestra for two years as a cellist (in fact, that was my first time playing a cello). I got to play a piece with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra during my second year playing in the orchestra.</p>

<p>I know that there will be added factors that will weigh in the result, especially for JHU and Stevens. I do plan to do an interview if possible. I am really worried about how things will play out, so please let me know what I can improve.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Since you have a very low EFC, you should apply to schools that “meet 100% need”, especially those that offer to meet need without loans and/or are looking for diversity.
None of the schools on your list “meet need”, meaning that they don’t care that you can or can’t pay, and they may saddle you with loans unless they’re very interested in you. They may be but you can’t be certain until you’ve run the Net Price Calculators. Do so on EACH website (you’ll quickly find that each school calculates differently) and write down, next to each school name, how much you’d have to pay after you’ve taken out grants and scholarships, but BEFORE any loans are added in. That’d be your net price.</p>

<p>Based on this, you should apply to:
Bucknell
Lafayette
Lehigh
Haverford (4+1 with Penn)

  • a few 100% schools that don’t offer engineering but something close, simply because the 100% need schools may not have engineering but they may offer you the best financial aid packages and, if I understand correctly, money is a key concern. Have you considered looking into Applied Math or Computer Science? This would widen your possibilities.
    In addition: RIT, Case Western Reserve, if your SAT score increases a lot; South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (I know, it’s far, but it’d be a good safety and you may get merit if you bring those scores up). Add Rowan, since they’ve become quite good for engineering and you’d likely qualify for Honors College
    If you’re a girl, Smith, Bryn Mawr, and Agnes Scott.</p>

<p>Register to take the SAT again if you haven’t already, as well as for subject tests. HURRY since the November registration deadline has passed and it’s now a late registration, which may end soon (especially wrt to spaces available). Prepare carefully, using the “Xiggi Method” from the Testing forum on this website, using the free “question of the day”, Khan Academy, number2.com… Borrow prep books and “Real SATs” (the “blue book”) from your school library. Bringing your SAT or ACT scores to as high as you can will mean money so work on these.</p>

<p>Due to your family income, you’re eligible for fee waivers (SAT and SAT Subjects). Ask for them ASAP from your guidance counselor. You’re also eligible for Application Fee Waivers, do request them from your guidance counselor or use the NACAC form.</p>

<ol>
<li>Johns Hopkins University => unreachable: scores in the 700’s are <em>average</em> there, and 1900 is bottom 25%. no one got in with scores of 500 or less, and only 4% had a score between 500and 600.</li>
<li>University of Virginia => apply only “just in case” if you do NOT apply for engineering. Even applying for Arts&Science would be a reach since 1850 is bottom 25%.</li>
<li>Boston University => Do you mean Boston College? Because BU doesn’t meet need and isn’t very good with financial aid. Boston College meets 100% need but it’s a high reach.</li>
<li>Stevens Institute of Technology=> match for academics, ? for financial aid/merit.</li>
<li>Rutgers (School of Engineering) => high match to low reach (depends how they factor in your hooks vs. stats)</li>
<li>The College of New Jersey => match outside of engineering, reach for engineering</li>
<li>University of Delaware => not sure whether you’ll qualify for merit scholarships; if not, unaffordable</li>
<li>New Jersey Institute of Technology => academic safety, but run the Net Price Calculator since I’m not sure it’d be affordable and I know they don’t meet need, so it may not be a financial safety.</li>
</ol>

3

<p>Regarding the SAT, My school offers it on school days (it actually tomorrow) since it is required to graduate, however I am taking the ACT as well on the 25th. I have tried a practice test and I know I got somewhere in the upper 20s. I dont know if that helps at all.</p>

<p>I did consider Bucknell and Rowan, but I rather keep the list and see what happens anyway (I might as well get into JHU, even though it is very rare). Bucknell was immediately off of my list because its was quite far (I brought in UVA because I could at least take a train there). Also, I might consider Rowan, but I have no idea if I might put it on my list. I am a guy, so the other few you mentioned will not do.</p>

<p>I meant BU, and I know they are a bit hefty with price, but I just loved the environment. I wanted to study in a place like BU. </p>

<p>My parents want me to stay close, so I want to take a 6 hour train ride or a 4 hour car ride. If I cant do either one, I am not that likely to take it. They have preference for me to commute, which is why Rutgers, NJIT, and Stevens are big.</p>

<p>Also, I am really concerned about the quality of the faculty and facilities. I really like small class sizes. I am technically applying to Rutgers just so that my parents know I am considering something close.</p>

<p>NJIT will not provide me with any money, unfortunately. They are quite stingy.</p>

4

<p>I feel for people like you who are such amazing people and try there hardest to be successful with only test scores holding you behind. And regrettably I would have to agree with the other posters on here that that will be a challenge but it is an achievable one. You are clearly passionate about what you do and have excelled further at it than people who say have 2350+ SAT scores with 19 AP classes. I truly believe in you and hope you get into every single one of them.
Here is my analysis of all of your schools:</p>

<ol>
<li>Johns Hopkins University (High reach because of scores but JHU really appreciates people who are well rounded)</li>
<li>University of Virginia (Considering that you don’t live in Virginia it would be a low reach but I had a friend who got in with a 1640 SAT score).</li>
<li>Boston University (Really nice choice as they meet 100% of need; just write a good essay and I would say your in)</li>
<li>Stevens Institute of Technology (Do you really want to go to the rest of these schools as I feel you are just using them as a safety to the above three)</li>
<li>Rutgers (School of Engineering) (Same as above)</li>
<li>The College of New Jersey (Same as above)</li>
<li>University of Delaware (Same as above)</li>
<li>New Jersey Institute of Technology (Same as above)</li>
</ol>

<p>Also, congratulations on you AP Chemistry Exam score as I heard it was fairly difficult last year with very few people getting 4’s or 5’s so definitely report that. Overall you are a stretch but not an impossible stretch. I hope you get into all of those schools and get to where you want to in life. </p>

5

<p>Last year, my GPA did drop by .1 due to a ton of testing during my last months in high school, including the High School Proficiency Exam, SAT, PSAT, NJ Biology Competency Exam, Student Growth Objective (a.k.a. the most useless exam that killed my grades). I remember after I came back from a competition in Houston, I had to take 5 hours worth of SGOs in 4 days right before my SAT on a school day. I had no time to study and my grades suffered dramatically.</p>

<p>My freshman and sophomore classes consisted in 4 honors classes in English, history, math, and science. My junior year, I had 2 honors classes in science and math and 3 AP classes in science, history, and English. This year, I have just 2 APs and I am considering getting a job because my parents want me to.</p>

<p>I do have to agree with you, the only thing stopping me is my SAT and GPA. My principal even offered to write a letter of recommendation for my application as well and he highly suggested that I do an interview. I actually do have the opportunity to shadow a job at NASA too (thanks to connections!).</p>

<p>My parents want me to apply to some local schools here, so it is the reason why Stevens, Rutgers, and NJIT are on my list. It will be a pain commuting to Stevens and Rutgers, but I just need to please my parents. If possible, I might consider taking TCNJ out, but I am just scared about applying to my top schools and not getting in. Again, I have nobody to help me with the application process and I will be the first in my family to apply to such colleges and get an engineering degree.</p>

<p>I did consider a few schools that someone mentioned here and I kinda felt he did over thought the SAT. We have no library, in fact my high school is basically built for elementary students lol. I really want a school that has a great environment both inside and out. JHU kinda has (from what I heard) different views of social life. Some say yes, some say its nonexistent, but I have family there in Baltimore so I can always visit them!</p>

<p>I am hoping the ACT would help a lot, but I have one major question, send both or the best one? I have already sent my first SAT scores to NJIT, Stevens, and Rutgers.</p>

<p>Also, Thanks! :smiley: I really appreciate the congratulations.</p>

6

<p>@MYOS1634‌ I did consider CS and I hated it. I just did not like it at all. I remember going to NASA centers in Maryland, Texas, and Florida and I loved engineering. I just wanted to work at a place like that which required engineering and not sit in front of a computer solving code and problems that way. </p>

<p>SAT wise, as I mentioned in an earlier comment, I have just taken it today and it will be my last time. We are required to take it to graduate and, as a result, they offer it on a school day. I don’t feel as confident but I do believe my writing score did go up to some extent. The same does not go for English, however.</p>

<p>I did consider a few schools, as I mentioned earlier, but I just did not like them for distance reasons or just small nit picky things like the area it is in or the accreditation or even the fact that there is no Aerospace Concentration. NASA has made me the person I have been and, as a result, I have decided to continue with Mechanical Engineering as a major.</p>

<p>I do have one question though, did you consider any other factors such as an interview or my ECs? I do have a lot, but I am looking at quality over quantity, so my engineering related projects will stay on the list.</p>

<p>@NIHHIHH thanks for the nice thoughts. As I mentioned in earlier comments I made to this post, I know there are a lot of factors that weigh into the admissions process. I kinda don’t want to repeat myself (I meant to also mention I took an AP in my sophomore year).</p>

<p>Sorry for not mentioning both of you in each comment.</p>