Crappy test scores, GPA, and class rank + good personality & decent ECs/Recs = HYPS?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Haha...not exactly HYPS (though I am applying...this is my ONE chance!). But to everywhere else? Last chance thread before I send in my apps.</p>

<p>Rejected to Cornell CAS on ED. Applied to UWashington Honors and USC (the Trojans, not the Gamecocks)</p>

<p>Age: 16
Region: Eastern Washington
School: Fifth best in city academically, sadly. Top three are on the top 1500 schools or whatever. Second best AP program though (not that that matters at all).</p>

<p>GPA: 3.77 UW
Rigor: 9 (out of 10) AP Classes (I took more than any other student in my school...if only they knew...)
Class Rank: 46/440 (school doesn't weight classes...this is going to KILL me)
SAT: 2150 (770M, 690CR, 690W); 2100 March, 2110 October, 2080 December...at least I'm consistent, eh? Haha...not.
SAT II's: 800 Math I, 750 Math II, 700 US History, 680 Biology-E
AP's: US History-5, Biology-4, Calculus AB-4, English Language-4, Physics C: Mechanics-2 (won't report)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/Awards
- Violin w/ 4 silver medals in Musicfest Northwest, 3 Superior ratings in EWMEA Festival, 2 state alternate placings, and 2 superior ratings as a group chamber orchestra at EWMEA. Concertmaster of school chamber orchestra (honors in a sense), principal second violin of city youth orchestra, and I play at churches, weddings, and balls
- Journalist for local newspaper, primarily sports and Arts/Entertainment. Published four articles since September 2008; one article won 2nd place at the EWU Journalism Day Competition
- Captain of Varsity Knowledge Bowl team; tied for 1st in League; 2nd Place at Regionals, 6th Place at State
- Varsity Track and Field, primarily sprints and hurdles
- National Merit Commended Scholar
- AP Scholar w/ Merit
- DECA (third place at regional competition)
- Mock Political Convention Board Member
- JV Cross Country
- City Youth Commission Board Member (do a LOT of volunteer stuff with this)
- Key Club Board Member (some more volunteer stuff)
- Hospital volunteer (four hours a week)
- Chinese Association volunteer
- Lifeguard/First Aid/CPR trained
- Materials Science camp participant (worked with Boeing engineers on 787 Dreamliner wing parts)</p>

<p>Essays:
I thought my essays to Cornell were good, but maybe not. My ones right now, I THINK, are pretty good. Who nkows though?</p>

<p>Recs:
AP Euro one is EXCELLENT. AP English one is REALLY GOOD, but doesn't show who I am as well as the other one. Counselor one is pretty GOOD, but...you know, it's the counselor of 4A school. He knows me well, but not that well...sigh. Oh well...</p>

<p>Schools (I'm definitely applying/have applied to all of these)
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Chicago
- Pomona College
- Harvey Mudd College
- Carleton College
- Northwestern University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Georgetown University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Washington State University</p>

<ul>
<li>Cornell University (denied ED)</li>
<li>University of Washington (Applied Honors by Dec 1)</li>
<li>University of Southern California (Applied by Dec 1)</li>
</ul>

<p>Yes, I'm being totally Asian. But it's my one shot at it. Why not go ahead and do it?</p>

2

<p>Anyone, please? Thank you.</p>

3

<p>wow you’re young! i’m glad that i’m not the only young person who’s a senior, i just turned 17 on the 2nd of december. anyways i think you should have good chances at UW and sc. </p>

<p>i’m applying to CAS (oh no) and i’m looking at sc, trojans, too! chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/624568-cal-emory-cornell.html#post1061536667[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/624568-cal-emory-cornell.html#post1061536667&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Does being young actually help your chances at college?
I’m turning 16 tomorrow but I don’t know how colleges will perceive my younger age compared to most applicants.</p>

5

<p>I doubt it. Unless you’re 10 or something. I turn 17 in April. I just hope I don’t have to send stuff home for my parents to sign because I’m underage.</p>

6

<p>%10-15 chance at all of them</p>

7

<p>Wow. Thanks opus2317.</p>

<p>Anyone want to actually read my profile and give me good honest feedback?</p>

8

<p>Well, you’re a guaranteed-in at WSU.</p>

<p>Probably in at UW too, though who knows this year.</p>

<p>The Ivies are obviously a crapshoot. But it’s good that you’re giving it a chance, if nothing else.</p>

<p>For the rest: it’s hard to say. Your SAT might be a little bit low (especially for the schools that take your highest single sitting, rather than the superscore). But your GPA’s in the right place, and your extracurriculars are pretty good. High matches and matches, mostly.</p>

<p>…and if I remember the last match of Knowledge Bowl Regionals correctly, I may have made your acquaintance once.</p>

9

<p>Thanks Barrington. And are you from Pullman High School, by chance then?</p>

10

<p>I would plan on getting rejected from all of your schools except for Harvey Mudd, Carleton, Georgetown, Wash State, and maybe USC. I agree wholeheartedly with your “once chance, why not?” approach to HYPS and the ivies (Columbia is probably your best shot out of these, unless a lot of kids from your area are applying), however, I’m not sure you considered what a MATCH school for you really is, unless you’re very excited about USC or the Wash honors program.</p>

<p>I can’t remember deadlines so it may be too late, but look at schools like WashU, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, GWU, Duke, Rice…the non-ivies that might as well be ivies. The #10-20 in the top 20. Some of those may be a better fit to your application if your intentions are to get into the best school you possibly can.</p>

<p>Anyway, at this point just remember that it’s all about marketing. Make a brand for yourself, and show it off. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>its sad that a 3.77 UW is “crappy”</p>

12

<p>Technically, there are no cutoff test scores for the ivies. So go for it I totally agree with you (although if I may point out, this is not your only shot if you plan to go to grad school. And I think (except for maybe med school) that they don’t care much where you got your undergrad degree. You just need a good GPA and good test scores - whether they be LSAT, MCAT, GRE, GMAT or what have you). I think you have your best shots at JHU, Carnegie Mellon, and maybe Georgetown. They’re your best bet for a great school that’s not so selective that you might not get in. But don’t be discouraged!</p>

13

<p>And I think my gpa is crappy. Anyway, as a fellow Cornellian forum dweller in the past, I will chance you. HYPS are going to be just way too hard because you do not have a hook to help you out, and they get tons of others with slightly better stats that are rejected. I would give you like a 4-5% at each being completely honest. Honestly, the way colleges work right now, I would apply to as many as possible if there was enough money/time. As for the rest:

  • Columbia University - 15%
  • University of Pennsylvania - 20%
  • University of Chicago - 25%
  • Pomona College - 70%
  • Harvey Mudd College - 70%
  • Carleton College - 70%
  • Northwestern University - 40%
  • Johns Hopkins University - 40%
  • Georgetown University - 65%
  • Carnegie Mellon University - 80%
  • Washington State University - 95%</p>

<p>Sorry if they do look bleak, but I am trying to be as harsh as possible, because the last thing you want to happen is to raise false expectations.</p>

<p>Anyway, if you want, please chance back at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/622146-final-chances-just-below-ivies-couple-equivalents.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/622146-final-chances-just-below-ivies-couple-equivalents.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I’m pretty sure I already posted on one of your posts about “crappy” SAT scores but I’m going to say it again: your SAT scores are not crappy. Are you saying this knowing that they are actually good and seeing how people react or do you genuinely feel as though they are bad? I’m sorry you got rejected from Cornell but there are other schools. Kids from my school with much lower stats that applied RD got in to Cornell and some kids got rejected from Cornell and Dartmouth and then ended up going to Harvard. Wait it out until you hear from all schools and you may be surprised. Admissions is so random that you can’t even guess anymore. Don’t bother worrying and posting tons of annoying threads about “crappy” GPA or “crappy” SAT bc you should be happy with the amazing things you have to work with.</p>