changes for big-time URM

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey, I live in San Diego, originally from Mexico, poor, first generation to go to college, and I've only been here for 6 years (I'm a resident, do I still get URM status, or am I considered International?) </p>

<p>SAT: 1320 (720V, 600M) PSAT: "National Hispanic Scholar"
SAT II: 800, 800, 720, 640, 570 (Spanish, US History, Writing, Literature, Math IC)
APs: 5-Spanish Language/5-Spanish Literature/5-World History/5-U.S. History
GPA: 3.5 uw, 4.0 w
Rank: 7/449 (yes I know, horrible school. Note: The 4.7/1480 WHITE valedictorian applied to all the same schools as I did.....)
Intended Major: History </p>

<p>ECs: president and founder of 3 clubs, lots of officer positions in other clubs, lots of community stuff, lots of music stuff, drum major </p>

<p>Essays: I though they were pretty good. One about my life in general, and the other about my experiences in marching band (philosophical)
Recs: "awe-inspiring young woman," first time the teachers I choose EVER wrote a common app rec, they mentioned that and talked about the "bad learning environment" at my school.<br>
Interviews: "kids like you give me faith in the future." most of my interviewers seemed really interested in me, yale one said he'd threaten the adcom into letting me in.
Extra materials:: I won a short story contest in Spain, sent. I've been playing the flute for 10 years, sent a pretty good tape. </p>

<p>Extra info:: I work 20 hours a week
The reason I'm so much better at verbal stuff than math stuff:: I was stuck in bilingual education for 4 years where I was only taught to read. For math, we watched PBS "math movies" and read "math-related" picture books. I talked about this during my interviews.
Reason for low GPA:: I couldn't speak English, so it was very hard, but I was determined to work even harder and now for senior year I have 6 AP classes, 3 of which it's just me and the teacher. (mentioned this too)</p>

<p>In order of preference, I applied to::</p>

<ul>
<li>Harvard</li>
<li>Princeton</li>
<li>Berkeley</li>
<li>Stanford </li>
<li>University of Chicago </li>
<li>Swarthmore</li>
<li>Yale</li>
<li>Amherst</li>
<li>Williams</li>
<li>USC</li>
<li>UCLA</li>
<li>UCSD </li>
<li>UCI</li>
</ul>

<p>So, what are my chances? Also, is it true that URM applications are put into a room of their very own, so that they can pick the best from each race? Do they give preference to boy URMs or girl URMs? (I'm a girl.)</p>

2

<p>what's the school name? i go to tp</p>

3

<p>......eh, that's cutting in a little too close for the internet</p>

<p>if you really wanna know just ask around, my school is quite notorius.....</p>

4

<p>wow, those are some good colleges, but considering your URM status I'd say you have a decent chance at making several of the schools on that list. The only schools you may have a bit of trouble with are the Ivies, even then I expect that you will probably get into at least one of them. You should have little trouble with the UCs. </p>

<p>Although a 1400+ on the SAT I's and maybe a higher Math IC score would have helped :); you still have a pretty decent at good chance at many of those schools up there.</p>

5

<p>Finemeal, you are definitely a URM, and with you being first-gen. to college, you stand a great chance of getting into most of your schools. The Ivies are a toss-up for everyone, but you could make it there too. Your U.S.History and Writing scores are awesome. Good for you.</p>