<p>I was wondering if I (and other slightly above average students) have a chance at getting into Brown.</p>
<p>Here are my creds:
GPA
Unweighted: 4.66
Weighted: 3.99</p>
<p>SAT:
CR: 750
M:600 (too low)
W:690 (too low) </p>
<p>I have yet to take the SAT 2’s: English Literature, US History</p>
<p>Rank:
29/502 </p>
<p>All AP or Dual Credit Courses except Pre-AP Spanish 3 and Pre-AP Pre-calculus</p>
<p>Extra currics:
I work in an art studio, approximately 6hrs/week
Various service organizations
I have 300+ hrs of community service
I play 8 instruments </p>
<p>I have an interview and I’m not counting on getting in. Do you have a different opinion? Thanks</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, which eight instruments do you play? And how much time would you say that you devote to each?</p>
<p>One way to answer your question: Brown accepts fewer than 10% of its applicants. From a logical perspective, no one who is “average” should get in over someone who is in the top 10%. </p>
<p>However, Brown does accept students who are not in the top 10% academically because it values other types of merit – stellar athletic ability, for example. </p>
<p>Now, I don’t do chances. But I will say that, looking at your stats, you are not “slightly above average.” Your CR score puts you in the top 1%, your math score in the top 26% and your writing score in the top 5% – in the nation. That’s really really good, and you should be proud of these scores instead of thinking you are “average.” Average is around 500. And in high school, you did better than 94% of your fellow students – again, way above average.</p>
<p>The main reason you should not “count” on getting in is because 90% of applicants don’t get in. Hopefully you applied to a wide range of schools, especially at least one safety school that you love and can afford.</p>
<p>Sure!
I’ve played piano for 13 years
Guitar for…9?
Cello for 2
Ukulele (not a focus)
Banjo (definitely not a focus)
Electric bass (not a focus)
Double bass (not a focus)
And voice (not really an instrument)</p>
<p>Piano gets probably 5-7hrs a week, depending on how much free time I have
Guitar gets 2 usually but it used to be much more
Cello gets about 2, but right now it’s in the shop getting fixed
Ukulele, maybe 1</p>
<p>The others get negligible amounts time</p>
<p>Fireandrain, thanks for the encouragement!
I do realize that my stats place me above average and I’m certainly not ashamed of them. It just seems that students who are AMAZING get into Brown. I haven’t founded any organization or supported my family financially or even shown signs of extreme intellectuality. I know by most standards I’m above average, but for Brown I think I am below, you know? Perhaps I’m stereotyping.</p>
<p>Yes! I do have MANY fall back schools, I applied to 11 total; one of them being Columbia (not a fall back). </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>Well, I don’t want to sound too optimistic – I just want students to understand that what they consider “average” is actually quite impressive and they should be proud of their accomplishments. </p>
<p>There are plenty of students who get into Brown who haven’t changed the world. But most are amazing or special in some small way.</p>
<p>Well, your GPA and class rank are truly excellent, and playing all of those instruments (some for many years) shows a genuine love of musicianship, beyond a mere passing fancy. </p>
<p>According to Brown’s common data set, your reading score is at the 75% percentile (well done!), your writing SAT falls in the middle 50% (very good!), so just your math SAT is a bit low. If you’re not planning to focus on math, engineering, science, etc, I imagine this shouldn’t matter so much.</p>
<p>While no one should get their hopes up in light of Brown’s low acceptance rate, I don’t see why you don’t have as solid a chance as anyone else. Remember there are 2,000+ students who will be admitted. Some may be truly outstanding, but I’d wager a guess most are very strong, hardworking students like you who’ve shown a propensity for long-term, self-directed pursuit of an interest – music in your case.</p>
<p>It may have been just coincidence, but one thing that stood out to me on a visit to Brown’s campus (more than at any other school) was that the students possessed (and expressed) a true love for their areas of learning, be it literary criticism, organic chemistry, mechanical engineering or Japanese literature. Their enthusiasm was unparalleled.</p>
<p>Good luck to you, I hope you get in.</p>