College admission. Overcoming adversity, etc.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I read on a university's website, they consider scholarships and admission on " Other consideration may include: students who are the first generation to attend college, come from a single-parent home, or have overcome adversity (and financial need when relevant). </p>

<p>I have overcome adversity in the fact that my parents did drugs in front of me, I moved from school to school on a regular basis forever, I watched my parents get arrested, I was violence, and my dad passed away in February. My brother is autistic, and my mom is extremely disabled. My step dad is an alcoholic and has abused me before. I am in a single-parent home. And I am not the first generation to attend college; however, neither of my parents fully graduated. </p>

<p>I am currently a senior. I've taken </p>

<p>9th grade: English, US History, Biology, Physics I, Algebra II, Health, and Spanish I
10th grade: English, Chemistry I, Biology II, Precalculus, Econ/Civics, Business Tech management, and Spanish II</p>

<p>11th grade: English, World History, Physics II, Chemistry II, AP Biology, Calculus, Spanish III
I dropped AP bio Second semester and Calculus I in order to be dual enrolled and take a General Chemistry II(which is like AP Chem). However, I took Calculus I at a college over the summer and got credit again.</p>

<p>12th grade 1st semester: English 12, Drafting, Calculus II, Organic Chem I + lab, College Physics II
Second semester: English 12, Drafting, Statistics, Organic Chem II + lab, College Physics</p>

<p>I've maintained a 4.0 GPA( no weighted) and I got a 33 on the ACT, and I maintained basically A's, A-s and B+ in my university classes taken dual enrolled. I'm in Science Olympiad, LEO Club, and NHS. I volunteer on my own time, and I also work and have worked for like two years. </p>

<p>So what are my chances of getting into an Ivy League school? Or getting large scholarships somewhere other than Ivy League?</p>

2

<p>Different colleges use different definitions of first gen. Some consider you first gen if neither of your parents ever attended college, others consider you first gen if neither of your parents earned a college degree.</p>

<p>You certainly have a chance at Ivy and other highly selective colleges just based on your academic record. That you have managed this level of accomplishment in what seems to be harrowing circumstances is pretty remarkable and will be noted. Are you going to write about this in an essay or is your guidance counselor able to address your circumstances in his letter?</p>

<p>Is there any money at all for college? Is need based aid going to cover all costs? Take a look at the list of colleges that offer guaranteed aid. You can use these for safety schools. You might put an application into UA because you will qualify for full tuition. Take a look at the UA forum and read the thread where the parents report some incredible opportunities and research awards their students have received there.
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I don’t do what are my chances because ivy’s just have too low of an admit rate for it to be predictable to any extent. You will also qualify for merit aid at many colleges. Do you have a good adviser at school to help you with this?</p>

3

<p>So what are my chances of say a close-to-full-ride at say University of Michigan?</p>

4

<p>Your background is certainly unique, and you have overcome some very challenging obstacles. You obviously have seen the world around you from a different perspective. If you can convey this to an ADCOM, I’m sure most everyone would take notice. For instance UM asks you to explain about a community you belong to. You could choose to write about your past experiences.</p>

<p>As far as aid, I guess it depends where you are from, but you may very well qualify for significant financially depending on your circumstances. If you are a state resident, you will probably do better than if you’re out-of-state</p>

5

<p>Here’s the deal, from my perspective: it’s not about the simple fact of adversity. It is about what was accomplished, despite. When it comes to the Ivies, many kids with awful family challenges have accomplished much, taken on their own goals, started to make something of themselves that comes through. </p>

<p>The CA and supps are going to give you a chance to show more than you did here- and that “more” will matter. Accomplishments, responsibilities, impact. Think about how you will present your picture, see what the CA and supps ask. Remember, it’s going to be about who YOU are, how you show that. </p>

<p>The GC can explain much of your home situation. I’m never sure about the advice to use the essays to detail problems. Many kids have trouble doing that effectively. Remember, the goal is to show your strengths, the attributes the top colleges look for. Best wishes.</p>

6

<p>Your app looks pretty decent. It looks like you had to overcome some pretty harsh circumstances, but with an Ivy League school, that’s not going to guarantee anything. Your academics and EC’s are good too. I’d say the biggest thing for you is to avoid making your application’s central theme your “overcoming adversity”; don’t make the admissions officer’s only reason for accepting you be the challenges you overcame, make them think “Wow, he achieved all of this while going through all that?” Like the person above me stated, focus on your strengths and your accomplishments. </p>

<p>Anyways, I would say Ivy league schools are a reach for you just as much as anyone else. As for U-mich, if you live in Michigan then you could definitely get a killer scholarship to go there, but if you’re out of state then it’ll probably be a lot harder to get money.</p>

<p>Chance me back? :slight_smile:
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