<p>PLEASE BE CANDID ABOUT CHANCES AT DUKE CORNELL NORTHWESTERN UNC.
act=29 (1st time, will retake this fall)
GPA=4.15 out of 4.0
taking most rigorous courses available. 10 aps by the end of 12th.
i got mostly 4 and 5 on 5 of the ap test so far.
none of my parents went to college (mom dropped out of high school)
will be the first to go to college.</p>
<p>activities
nhs (11, 12), amnesty international (10, 11, 12), tutor children (10, 11, 12), volunteer at a hospital (11,12), played cello since 4th grade, leader of a class (11). </p>
<p>awards: volunteer awards and ap scholar with distinction.</p>
<p>oh i forgot satII: chemistry 730, US history 700.</p>
<p>not that familiar with the ACT, if i am correct, that equated to a 1300 around. Therefore, Cornell/Northwestern/Duke would be pretty high reaches, not impossible, but REACHES. UNC, if your out of state buddy, REACH, in-state, match.</p>
<p>how much does it help if I'm the first to go to college?</p>
<p>it depends. What's your economic status like? If your families not that well-off and your the first to go to college, I would say your pretty much an under-represented minority (although i'm sure many other cc'ers would disagree with that.) If, on the other hand, you live a pretty cushy life despite your parents limited education, i think its pretty much as minimal as what state your from. I must admit though that this is about 3% fact and 97% my opinion. Hope I helped.</p>
<p>I'm from minnesota, and income is below 35,000, I'm biracial (white and asian). Throughout my junior year, my dad went to a mental hospital, my sister dropped out of school, and I'm surprised that I still kept up my grades with the tough schedule I had. Will it help to write about overcoming unfortunate circumstances in my essay?</p>
<p>Hey yogurt!</p>
<p>It would help if you write about such circumstances but this topic is becoming more familiar every year. If you find your self capable of turning this "familiar" topic to smth outstanding that will make the AOs impressed go for it!!!</p>