Do I stand a chance at top-tiers?

Applying to College
1

<p>My scores and grades don't worry me, but my ECs do. I have a limited home situation, which doesn't allow me to do the things I want to. And because my dad past away and my mom is working all of the time (im first-gen, and they didn't tell me what I had to do to get into top colleges), I wasn't exposed to possible long term ECs like debate, community service, competitions like USAMO or city council (if I had knowledge of these entering hs, I would've so went for it). This sounds like a lame excuse, but really it's not. Like my mom didn't really let me do anything that "wasn't necessary." I have to beg her to even go to open house, parent teacher conferences, and to allow me to meet with group members for projects. I still don't have a car (let alone a permit) and she always puts things off ('I promise, tomorrow.' I guess we know where I learn my procrastination from). She HATES driving me places, and makes me late to everything. </p>

<p>It's mostly because of these things, that I wasn't REALLY able to take advantage of my [invisible] opportunities. </p>

<p>Now, I lack a lot of what most top 25 university applicants have: very high SAT scores, awards, internships, CS hours, completion of enrichment programs, mission trips, etc.</p>

<p>Please don't dislike me because you think I'm making excuses. I'm just asking for advice.</p>

<p>What I have done is all over the place community service (none that show real passion), graphic design (won an international contest, and other misc stuff), a few clubs at school (two leadership positions), yearbook (editor), tutoring, a job, and misc.</p>

<p>What can I do to heighten my chances of admission into schools like Georgetown, Stanford, Princeton (yeah right), and Cal?</p>

<p>I want to major in CS, but competition is difficult because I don't have anything relative but decent tests scores (770 math II, 750 Chem)</p>

<p>Sorry for rambling and for poor organization. Please only reply if you help me or make me feel better. </p>

<p>I'm not a troll either.</p>

<p>Thanks and much love! <3</p>

2

<p>It’s a really weird and pathetic post, but any feedback would be appreciated.</p>

3

<p>That’s something you should write in your essay. Be creative and don’t make it sound as an excuse but more of an obstacle you want to over come. It sounds like as if you don’t really believe in yourself. If you cant see past your struggles then how will colleges will?</p>

4

<p>Thanks for he advice! Should I maybe say the truth that I want to attend a college with plenty of opportunities that I can take advantage of now that I’ll be more independent?</p>

5

<p>it is pathetic. your list of EC’s are good for crying out loud. and you say that you don’t have any?
nothing stands out at first sight, but ivy chances are unpredictable. for alot of people who were accepted, nothing stood out at first sight. maybe it’s in the essays?</p>

6

<p>I see nothing in what you wrote that suggests that you shouldn’t apply to a top-25 university. Despite what you read on some boards here, the vast majority of students who are accepted at top university do not have some major accomplishment and have not found their life’s passion.</p>

<p>To the extent that you have a home situation that impacts on your application, the schools you apply to should be made aware of this. There are several ways for you to do this. Discuss it with your Guidance Counselor – this may be appropriate for him or her to write about in the GC recommendation. He or she may recommend this as a topic for an essay too. </p>

<p>Also, most of the Top 25 have alumni interviews. Although in most cases these interviews don’t have much weight (one admissions person told me that unless you have two heads, it won’t hurt you) the one place where they are extremely valuable is if there is information that might not come through on an application, like a family situation.</p>

<p>Finally, and this is the most important, reading between the lines, it sounds like you’ve taken additional responsibilities because of a family situation. This stands to your credit, no matter what school you went to. I’m positive that virtually all schools will consider this. However, would you really want to go to a school that didn’t?</p>