Chances Please?

<p>Hey, everyone</p>

<p>ND is my dream school. I visited initially just to see what a college campus was like - I definitely didn't expect to want to go here, especially being a (former?) Michigan fan (my dad's alma mater). Here's what I've got:</p>

<p>Prospective Major: Political Science
ACT: 34 (composite)
SAT II Chem: 710
SAT II Math I: 700
AP Chem Exam: 4
GPA (UW): 3.51
I go to a very competitive public high school that regularly sends kids to high caliber schools. I've been in Honors classes since freshman year, except for math. There is a little bit of an upward trend until my senior year midterm grades, which were really good. Currently, I'm in AP Macroeconomics, AP Statistics, AP Physics B, Honors Humanities, Level two Calculus, Bible as Literature, and Civics. The only classes that I didn't take AP were AP Lit and AP Calculus. My other level twos were not offered as level one. </p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
I play trumpet, and I'm a member of almost a dozen different ensembles. I've been a part of the Regional State band for the past three years, All-State band last year, and I'm principal trumpet in four or five ensembles. I also play regularly at my church during services. Additionally, I attended the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Trumpet Workshop in 2008, and received college credit.
In the summer, I work as a sailing instructor at the beach near my town. I'm also a varsity founding member of my school's sailing team. Last summer, I interned at an advocacy and political consulting group in Washington, DC for six weeks. </p>

<p>I'm pretty sure my supplement essays were very strong, and my Commonapp ones were strong, as well. I also submitted a CD of my trumpet works, even though I will not be a music major, at the suggestion of both my admission counselor and the band representative I met with.</p>

<p>Contact with ND:
I've met with the admissions counselor from my area on three occasions, one in South Bend, one in my high school, and one at an information session near my high school. I've also met with and played trumpet for the assistant band director, who seemed very interested in having me be a part of the band program. I've been on two tours and information sessions at the University.<br>
I also had extensive contact with a local alumni representative this spring, and I think he may have mentioned my name to the admissions counselor from my area.</p>

<p>Recommendations:
I think my teacher and guidance counselor recommendations are really good.
I also had the president of the firm I worked at this summer write me a letter, which was glowing, to say the least. I talked with my admissions counselor before I had it sent, and he recommended that I send it if it adds another dimension to my application.</p>

<p>Overall, I think I'm a bubble kid because of my GPA. I'm really happy with my ACT score, satisfied with my SAT II scores, and I think my extracurriculars are very strong. I think I'll get a positive recommendation from the assistant band director, too. It's clear that I bring trumpet to the University, above all else. Except for my GPA, I personally think that I'm a competitive candidate.</p>

<p>What do you think? The wait is killing me already and I only applied two weeks ago.</p>

<p>Thanks for your time and God bless!</p>

<p>I think you’ll get in. Your ACT and Sat II’s are strong.
Whats you class rank? Does your school rank? A really good rank can make up for your average (but not awful) GPA.</p>

<p>Thanks for your response! I’m in the top quarter (not top 10).</p>

<p>It’ll be close then. I think over 80% were top 10% and with a below ND average, I would say I could see it either way. My gut feeling is you’ll get in though for your scores (which ND puts A LOT of emphasis on)</p>

<p>Good luck, hope you in and Go Irish! Muck Fichigan! :)</p>