Do I have a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>Stats:
GPA(UW)-3.4
GPA(W)-3.7 (Low but I had an enormous upswing since freshman year, my GPA from my Junior year was a 4.0 unweighted and a 4.4 weighted</p>

<p>SAT 1- 2050 (690 M 700 CR 660 W)
SAT 2- 600 U.S. History 620 Lit. (I’ve never taken a lit. class so the poetry is what screwed me up) </p>

<p>AP’s: APUSH 3, English Language 3 (First one in my school to pass any of the ap tests)</p>

<p>EC’s: Track and field (Spring)-2 years
Track and field (Winter)-1 year (Senior year)
Wrestling-1 year (Junior year)
Debate(Brown sponsored)-2 years
Young Voices- 2 years (Youth advocacy group that Brown occasionally works with)
LGR-College preparation non-profit organization that had a site where Brown students tutored, I’m looking to become one of the tutors once I get into college.</p>

<p>Volunteer work- I tutor a Sophomore with the Sat’s, I do this twice a week for about 2 hour sessions.</p>

<p>Roughly 50 hours of volunteer work. Consists of backpack drives, soup kitchens and work cleaning up a lake.</p>

<p>Awards: 4th in state shotput thrower, various medals for shotput and discus and Questbridge finalist (hopefully, although I’d like others to really consider this when chancing)</p>

<p>Context: I think I have an interesting position, which is why I’m even considering Brown. For one I go to the 2nd worst school in the state. The state has 54 schools and I go to Dr. Jorge Alvarez High school. I’m the first one to break a 1700 on the sat’s and I’m also the first one to pass any of the AP exams. During my freshman year I really slacked off and once my sophomore year came around I was taken to a different school because of a divorce my parents had. I was depressed but I had nothing to do other than schoolwork so I just did it, then once Junior year came around I was motivated through seeing Brown students do social work with my school. </p>

<p>Income- Mother makes less than 20k a year</p>

<p>I’m a hispanic american student (My mother and her side of the family came from Guatemala)</p>

<p>First gen. college student</p>

2

<p>I have a question for you. What does weighted mean vs. unweighted GPA?</p>

<p>I’m curious.</p>

<p>Give Columbia Univ. a shot. They don’t have a set standard and sometimes they pluck unique students that are promising but come from difficult situations like yourself.</p>

3

<p>I was planning on applying to Brown, Columbia and Cornell. I find myself on the lower end when looking at other ivy league applicants so I’m only considering Brown because they have a lot of information on how lackluster my school is and they also like high achieving providence students (or so I hear)</p>

<p>Otherwise I’m gonna go for Northeastern, BU and URI as a safety.</p>

4

<p>Good luck with Questbridge. Great job on your JR year gpa.</p>

<p>I don’t do chances, but it is worth a shot for you, despite the lower than average stats. You might get a good look due to URM and disadvantaged Providence school, RI resident.</p>

<p>You should find a place in your application to talk about exposure to the Brown programs and your intention to give back to the community outreach efforts. I’m sure that’s important to Brown.</p>

5

<p>Theres no university not worth applying to. The only way u cant get in for sure is to not apply.</p>

6

<p>The only way you cant get in for sure is by not applying.
Bad grammmar :p</p>

7

<p>Okay. So, you should know that I have never posted here before, because I find most of the posts here utterly ridiculous, but I think I can give you some advice. </p>

<p>I applied to Brown from Classical (a high school in Providence) this past year, and will be attending in the fall. I understand there is a big difference between our schools, but it is my understanding that Brown does like to accept underserved students from Providence. I think your circumstances are unique, and I think that, if your guidance counselor can make what you have shared clear in his/her letter, it will really help you.</p>

<p>So now for the advice. I am not very familiar with Questbridge’s process, but I think it might be a mistake for you, especially if Brown is where you really want to be. Your biggest advantage is being a successful student at an underperforming school in Providence, and I think Questbridge’s Match program (correct me if I’m wrong) doesn’t involve Brown’s admissions committee until they’ve selected finalists. If I am correct, then you will be getting rid of one of your best “hooks” for Brown, since they might never even see your application. I think, instead, you should send an application directly to Brown, even ED if it is your first choice. If Brown sees your application directly, I believe they will look more closely and, perhaps, have more of a perspective.</p>

<p>I understand that money (the application fee, sending scores, etc.) can be an issue, but, if your stated financial circumstances are correct, you should qualify for waivers. Also, I understand the Match is supposed to give full scholarships, but, since Brown is a member if the Ivy League and gives 100% demonstrated need, this shouldn’t be an issue.</p>

<p>I think Brown could see you as a diamond in the rough, especially special, since they’ll find you right in their backyard! As a Questbridge applicant, you’ll be seen next to people who are very similar, on the surface, to you. I’d hate to see you get lost in that shuffle. (We Providencians gotta stick together)</p>

<p>If you want to go for Columbia or Cornell, I think that’s great! (I was rejected from the former, accepted to the later) But (and I am NOT trying to guaruntee anything) I think your greatest chances are with a direct application to Brown.</p>

<p>Note: I am certainly no expert here so please take my advice with a huge mound of salt.</p>

<p>Second Note: whatever you do, try to demonstrate as much interest in Brown as possible. If you’re interested in science, there is a program for high school students, called Brown Science Prep, that takes place on Saturday mornings. I’m looking into becoming a mentor there so maybe I’ll see you!</p>

<p>Third note: I’m typing this on my phone so it’s probably a hot mess</p>

8

<p>I want to reiterate that my understanding of the College Match system may be entirely wrong… So my advice might be completely stupid… Also, I know very little about your circumstances and obviously only you know what is right for you. My intent here was merely to get you to give a second thought about what is entirely your decision. Good luck!</p>

<p>Yet another note: Please do not consider this a chance post. It wasn’t my intention to tell you whether you could, would, should, might get into Brown. I merely wanted to help you maximize your chances (whatever they may be). Furthermore, understand that this would help you only with Brown, and, since it would (maybe? Not entirely sure) keep you from the College Match, it may take away your chances at other colleges. College Match is also special because it includes colleges that aren’t AS difficult to get into, like Vassar for instance. (Plug for Vassar: it is an outstanding school, with a beautiful campus, and, even without College Match, it gives excellent financial aid (100%) that doesn’t include loans if you’re below a certain income level (you are- I was))</p>

9

<p>Hey I’m an LGR coach, so I was like omg when I saw it on your stats.</p>

<p>BTW you have a great shot, Idk if u did ED or not, but I know some of the admission counselors and they will fight for you.
You’re the first of many things and I think they will admire that.
Best of luck! let me know if you need anything!</p>