Chances with these inconsistent stats?

<p>My Stats (VIRGINIA RESIDENT)</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA: 2.9
Yearly GPA: (2.9, 2.2, 3.6, 2.9 first quarter senior/ 3.6 second quarter midterm)
5 AP's
Factors for poor performance: moving and problems adjusting (implemented in essay)
New SAT: 1930 (690 Math, 670 Writing, 570 Verbal) = 1290 on old 1600 Scale
SAT II Math BC: 700</p>

<p>EC: Web Design Club Founder & President, Habitat for Humanity, Construction CSP, CSP Technical Support, Library Volunteer, JV Basketball Captain
Smithsonian Volunteer, Janmedia/Web Design Company Job
International Experience</p>

<p>Obviously my grades are very low but I think I have average SAT scores and a solid SAT II score. I have some EC's and have job experience at a respectable computer firm. I've taken a summer college course at Mason also as a junior in high school and got a B, which suggests that I can handle college-level courses. I was also taking the course while holding two jobs - Smithsonian and Janmedia.</p>

<p>Performed poorly in early school years but will convery a sense of maturity in my essay and talk about what I've learned through my experiences living abroad. Most significant experience is living in a third-world country (Bolivia) and getting a dose of reality, which resulted in an increase in my grades. Was also seperated from my father for a year when he got a job in Baghdad, Iraq.</p>

<p>Anyhow... any comments, suggestions? Also should I add a portfolio of the artwork/websites I've made? I won an award for one of the artworks I've made.</p>

<p>I think you've got a fair shot at it. Scores are on the lower side of UR students' scores, but you seem to have a very interesting life. My son who attends UR now also had fairly average to below average grades (not due to anything like having moving or adjusting) :-). His SAT's however were much higher than yours, but your other stuff looks good...two jobs, summer college classes, living in Bolivia, etc.
Good luck!</p>

<p>You have a shot but U of R is somewhat of a reach with your stats. Did you visit? Interview?</p>

<p>No I haven't visited or interviewed.
This is my list. I figured U Rochestor is a far reach and my dad says I have no chance there. But I looked at the admissions rate and it seems fairly high. The SAT scores however are near-ivy so I don't know if I should apply. From my Reach schools, do you guys suggest substituting Rochestor for any? (in terms of chances of getting in)</p>

<ol>
<li>George Mason (3.32, 1100, 70%, 79) 73 </li>
<li>James Madison (3.6, 1160, 63%, 89) 80 *</li>
<li>Virginia Tech (3.6, 1200, 70%, 88) 75 *
</li>
<li>Northeastern (3.5, 1210, 42%, 92) 79 **</li>
<li>U Washington (3.7, 1220, 70%, 91) 79 *

(Union college?)</li>
</ol>

<p>REACHES</p>

<ol>
<li>U Maryland (3.8, 1250, 50%, 93) 76 ** //or Lehigh...</li>
<li>William and Mary (4.0, 1330, 35%, 97) 89 ** // Letter of Recommendation specifically for this school from my two bosses at work, who are graduates. Also have a cousin that went there.</li>
<li>U Michigan (3.7, 1300, 60%, 95) 83 *** // USC,Lehigh, or URochester, which is the easiest? Dad is an almunus of USC. I figure a private university?</li>
<li>U Virginia (4.0, 1320, 40%, 97) 87 ***</li>
</ol>

<p>After thinking about it, you two are the only people that have said I have a shot lol. Everyone else has said places like even Virginia Tech is a reach for me.... I'm so confused :<</p>

<p>Yeah, Rochester is a far reach for you and it might be on the difficult side for you... There is serious grade deflation here... For example, in one of my classes of 75 people, the teacher only allowed 5 A-range grades (and this is a 101 class)</p>

<p>Does the grade deflation occur primarily in the sciences or is is widespread throughout the college?</p>

<p>That class was Political Science...
My chem teacher doesn't curve tests
HOWEVER in my physics class the next semester, the prof. is trying to attain tenure so there are large curves.
It really depends on the dep't</p>