Eh, Why Not? Hey Ho, Let's Go!

<p>Hey there campers! I'd thought I'd try this out to see what I'd get. I've been a longtime lurker of this site, and have only recently been starting to post in my getting over seeing everyone on here being rejected to many schools while their resume basically describes them as a world hero. </p>

<p>Anyway, my main concern is not really if I can get into schools, but rather if I can pay for the schools I get into. I live with my mom, who made $118K in 2009, but since she has to pay for work on the three apartment she rents out (ironically to pay for my college education), she probably won't be keen on spending more than $10K a year. That means full ride, epic scholarship, community college, or GTFO. I think my stats put me on the brim of the second tier schools, but as it happens, those are just under the schools who guarantee meeting 100% of need. Go me. </p>

<p>Already Accepted: Penn State-University Park, Drexel (with Honors College and $28,000 AJ Grant)
EA: Case Western, Scranton, Arcadia (okay don't judge; their apps are free)
RD: Lehigh, RPI, RIT, WPI, Bryn Mawr, UPenn, Northwestern (maybe), Columbia (maybe), Carnegie Mellon (maybe), Harvard (because I made a deal with my insane mother...)</p>

<p>Also if you're up to it, chance me for Penn State's Schreyer Honors College? Depending how I feel, I might apply by the priority deadline.</p>

<p>SAT: 2120 -- CR 670, M 710, W 740
(2110 in one sitting: CR 670, M 700, W 740)
SAT II: Bio-M: 690, Math Level 2: 770</p>

<p>ACT: 32 -- E 34, M 32, S 29, R 33, W 8</p>

<p>GPA: 104.0 Weighted; 97.9 Unweighted (no, my school does not do 4.0 scaling and it annoys the heck out of me)</p>

<p>Class Rank: 2 / 265 (though that is likely to rise to 1 in the near future)</p>

<p>AP's: Currently taking Am. Gov't, English Lit., Calc. AB, Spanish</p>

<p>Senior course load: AP Am. Gov, AP English, H Calc I, AP Calc II, AP Spanish, H Chem II, Band, Phys. Ed., Independent Study (Computer Science)
Underclassmen courses: Honors for all core classes, Spanish every year, Band every year, Drawing/Design Fundamentals Freshman year, Sculpture Sophomore year</p>

<h2>Awards: First Honor Roll, NHS, Spanish Honor Society, Student of the Month, National Merit Commended, Silver Flask Award (awarded by school to one student every year for "outstanding work in first year's Chemistry"... I loled too)</h2>

<p>EC:
Marching Band -- Secretary, Sax Section Leader
Saxtet -- Head of Group
Spanish Honor Society -- Founder, President
National Honor Society
Musical -- Stage Crew, Sound Crew
Girl Scouts
Scholastic Scrimmage -- Team Member</p>

<p>Volunteering:
Musikfest Volunteer (2006-10) -- 24 hrs/1 week a year
Girl Scout Summer Day Camp Program Assistant (2009) -- 40 hrs/1 week
Misc. Community events for NHS, Girl Scouts -- 100+ hrs? / 3 years</p>

<p>Summer Activities: See volunteering section?</p>

<p>Essays: On how my experiences in marching band has helped me mature and gain confidence in all aspects in my life, though told in (IMHO) a creative way with an emphasis on how utter embarrassment is essential for personal growth. I smile when I finish reading it. That is a good sign, yes?</p>

<p>Recommendations: A cute anecdote about my subconscious obsession with pirates from my Spanish teacher of 5 years; Didn't read the one from my math teacher or guidance counselor, but I'll trust them </p>

<p>Interview: Planning to interview for Bryn Mawr.</p>

<p>State: PA
School: Public (rural and lower end -- last year's valedictorian was one of the better valedictorians: attends Lehigh, was wait-listed to Carnegie-Mellon)
Race: Filipino-American
Hooks: Female applying to Engineering/Computer Science programs, from a school in which if you get accepted to Ivy, you'll generally be considered a deity. Because Penn State Main Campus is a reach for the average college-bound kid. May be considered first generation (my mom's only American degree is a Associate's, though she has two Bachelor's from the University of the Philippines)</p>

<p>Strengths: Personality maybe?, Location (Eastern PA), I don't know; I really can't tell
Weaknesses: Lack of Awards, not a million EC or summer programs, absolutely no work experience, Lack of AP scores</p>

<p>your chances for PSU Honors is very good. I’d give it a shot.</p>