<p>menloparkmom, I was calling it an AP class because that's what my school <em>weights</em> it as. And while Multivariable does not have an AP test, the students take the BC Calculus exam if they have not already taken it. </p>
<p>The only one with attitude was DH9800. I don't choose what is given 'AP' weight or not. My school does. And that's how I reported it as, because my school is going to be giving the transcript to these colleges.</p>
<p>There's gonna be some backlash for your school when colleges take a look at your transcript and see non-AP classes given AP credit.</p>
<p>"...Considering that my school was chosen by Newsweek as one of the 25 Public Elites, I think we're doing something right.</p>
<p>You might want to lose the snark; it's not attractive."</p>
<p>You're right. The 'snark' is not attractive.</p>
<p>I think your individual scores will hurt you more than the total. 2090 is in range for all the schools however a 650 in math is weak and a 24 ACT science is well...pretty poor for the caliber of schools you're applying too. This might invalidate to a degree your high GPA. (At least in my school, people who rank that high (top 5%) get 700+ on all three sections) Your ECs look great on this board however remember on your application that presentation is KEY. One can make paltry EC achievement into decent EC achievement and vice versa based on the way they presented themselves. Also take some SAT II's to show what you've learned. As for now,chances:</p>
<p>University of Chicago (Low Reach)
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign (IN)
Northwestern University (Low Reach)
Wellesley College (High Match)
Swarthmore College (High Match)
Amherst College (Low Reach)
Barnard College (Match)
Stanford University (High Reach)
Princeton University (High Reach)
Yale University (High Reach)</p>
<p>I expect you to get into 1-2 of your low reaches 2 of your matches and none of YPS. Good Luck!</p>
<p>*Actually, your school can't be too good...how can you take BC in 11th grade and multivariable in 12th and get 650 on math? That just isn't right.</p>
<p>Guys, please stop bashing my school. I'm sorry for bragging about my school, that was wrong, but I would like for everyone to stop ragging on how my school is assigning AP credit to a non-AP class. It's the only one, and I'm not even sure if it will remain weighted that way. Enderkin, considering it is ONE class out of a list of 35 credits, I think they will manage to overlook that; if not, I can't help that - my school is in charge of that and not me. In any case, I'm not psyched out about what you said :)</p>
<p>FredFredBurger, I realize my score in mathematics is very low. I have a weak base in beginning high school mathematics courses, because I did not take them at my current high school, but through a gifted program. I will remember your advice about presentation. I've already taken my SAT IIs and I think I did well on them! </p>
<p>My school is very competitive. I took Algebra and Geometry in 7th and 8th grade, respectively. However, I have been away from the material for a long time, and as the SAT tests basic mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry) instead of upper-level math (Pre-calculus, Calculus), that is why there is a discrepancy between the level of mathematics I am taking and my score on the SAT. Also, I have a weakness in mathematics that I make up for by studying really hard for my tests and working to an insane degree in my my mathematics courses; that's why I've been able to take upper-level math.</p>
<p>Also, your comment about getting such a high GPA but not breaking 700+ in every section -- you stated in another thread that your GPA was 3.5 or 3.6UW. Yet, you said you were going to be ranked in the top 5% of your class. There is not one student that has a 3.5/3.6UW GPA that will be ranked in the top 5%. People at my school would have to break 4.9+W GPA & 3.8+UW to be in the top 10%. So while my school may not be that "great" for having someone like me who can't break 700 in every section, I'd look at your school -- that allows someone with a low unweighted GPA to be in the top 5%. I don't think SAT should have anything to do with GPA, and so it's okay for me to be in the top 5% and not break 700+ in every section, while it is quite clearly wrong for you to be in the top 5% with a low UW/W GPA.. unless your school really isn't that competitive to begin with.</p>
<p>Considering you are a rising senior yourself, I am going to take your predictions with a grain of salt. ;-) I apologize if any of this post sounds abrasive, as I don't mean it to be. I have taken in what you said and will consider it. </p>
<p>Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Murky please remember that you were the op who wanted our opinions on your chances. Although u are polite your responses to some of the posted opinions are quite combative. Nobody is trying to deminish you or your high school,we are only offering insight.</p>
<p>My opinions are based upon information I gleaned from two years of following the hundreds of postings of objective and subjective info on CC from people who have applied before, their parents, admin officers who are nice enough to join CC chat etc. I also base my opinions on independent research I did along with my D during the two year college adventure that she and my wife and I journied as a family.</p>
<p>Perhaps your HS's database will reflect your chances and I truly hope you get into all of the schools you apply to. It is my opinion that 80% of your schools are very tough to get into and with the massive #s of kids applying in 2008 will be even tougher admits. Your resume is quite good but I do not believe it is good enough that you should have an unrealistic comfort level. I again urge you to broaden your search. By the way Cornel etc are not "second tier" elites. The top 15 univ and lacs are damn tough to get into. Just hunt down all of the threads with very bright kids so sad about their rejections or their unsucessful waitlist status.
Good luck!</p>
<p>Dana's Dad</p>
<p>Back to another issue, I don't think it's unusual for a student to be strong in subjects and yet not do well on the corresponding SATs. My math and writing scores were nothing special, even though I was editor-in-chief of my high school newspaper and qualified for the AIME math exam. The people I know who have done well on SATs are those that are able to untie the specific knots in the test's questions-- these "knots" are very literal, can't be overthought, etc. I was the kid scribbling out proofs to all sorts of geometrical constructions on the SAT math section, doing it AIME-style, and I didn't realize that they would give you the area of a circle, for example.</p>
<p>Digression over.</p>
<p>Danalynne, thanks a lot for your advice. I apologize if I've been combative. I'll take another look at some other schools!</p>
<p>unalove, finally, someone who understands me! I have similar problems with math. I can solve problems on integrals and can find the antiderivative of a function, but I stumble when it comes to the "tricky" questions on the SAT.</p>
<p>Well just to respond-I was barely in the top 10% of my class and more importantly, multivariable calc is really, really, really, hard math for high school students to learn. I don't know if its just my school, but at our school you are prepared for standardized tests (for that is one of the few ways of comparing them) In honors precaclc you need to be able to get higher than a 700 on the math PSAT or SAT to take it. And honors precalc is lightyears behind multivariable. Again though, your school won't reflect poorly on you, just realize though that adcoms may not take your GPA at face value. Also, which is more important, does your school regularly send grads to top schools? If so, your GPA will strongly help you out here. (Oh yeah 4.9 W is unheard of at our school and our vals generally have a 3.9 UW-but it's all good)</p>
<p>FredFredBurger, I am am one of the anomalies. Our school does send quite a few graduates to top schools, however. We have integrated mathematics, which does not stress finishing problems in short periods of time; it's problem-based learning, usually word-problems that take longer to complete. Most adcoms do take the GPAs of our graduates at face-value; we have a good record. I'm just an oddball, I guess ;-)</p>
<p>Murkywater, that is good to hear about the top graduates which should increase your chances. Also, it seems to me that based on previous performance your AP scores will also be high. Just try to stress your unique personality, I remember a while back you said that community service should be the most important fact in admission. Although I (and probably many others) fundamentally disagree with that assertment, its pretty intresting and attest to the fact that you are unique. That will help you a lot in the admissions game because while your stats are great, their are others with the same stats vying for the same spot. Just make sure the adcoms know you're unique and you nail the interviews at schools that have them. Also, you said you took SAT II's. You need to take either Math I or IIc for Stanford. It's their policy, just wondering if you knew that.</p>
<p>AP Multivariable Calculus is not a real course because College Board, the people that actually designate the AP classes, does not recognize any level of calculus above BC.</p>
<p>I really dont give a flying **** what your school weights it as, it is NOT an AP class. </p>
<p>was that snarky?</p>
<p>FredFredBurger, I know that's Stanford's policy and I've already taken the exams.</p>
<p>DH9800, it is a real course because there are actual people in a classroom learning Multivariable Calculus. I am not sure whether it will be weighted as an AP or not next year. And while the College Board doesn't recognize any level of calculus over BC, what about kids who take harder-level math classes in nearby universities? The admission committee looks at your classes, not the College Board.</p>
<p>I didn't say there was an AP test. I said that it was weighted as an AP class. I have already stated multiple times that I realize that there is no test. However, the class is weighted as an AP and that is how it will appear on my transcript.</p>
<p>Please stop spreading your ignorance; this thread has been vacant for 8 days, and you came on this thread to specifically attack me and act like you know more than everyone else. FACT: I already know it is not an AP class. FICTION: You are intelligent.</p>
<p>Oh! Look! That was snarky! Moderators, please close this thread.</p>
<p>so its not an AP class.</p>
<p>i rest my case.</p>
<p>I have an "AP Research in Molecular Biology" class at my school with the midterm and final administrated by Rutgers University. On my transcript, it will be listed as an honors course, but the guidance counselor will inform the college that it was weighted as an AP class. Your school may do the same thing.</p>
<p>You should look into Cooper Union, a tuition-free school. Although it is primarily an engineering school, I'm sure its English department isn't bad. Check it out, its worth researching just because its tuition free. It is in New York BTW.</p>
<p>Lurker--that sounds like a fantastic class!</p>
<p>And to murkywater--I applied to Barnard with about the same stats that you have and was waitlisted, RD, just for reference. And if you are as serious about writing as you say, you should know that almost every post you've made following the original was combative, and these people are only trying to help you, as you asked. You'll be surprised at how many people would be more willing (and glad!) to help you if you just watched your tone and your language.</p>
<p>URichmond2010, I feel very defensive because some people came specifically on this thread to attack me, made factually incorrect statements and were mean-spirited. I spoke with respect to everyone who was helpful and gave constructive criticism, not those who specifically came to tear me down. While I did ask for advice, it did not give free reign for anyone to simply bash me; I am going to defend myself here if I have to -- nobody is going to walk all over me. </p>
<p>Thank you for your help.</p>