FINAL Chances Post, some LACs, Ivy, Chicago!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'll be sending in all my (RD) applications this week. So I'd really appreciate some feedback on my final chances. Thanks!</p>

<p>White Female
Long Island public school
GPA: 98.744 unweighted, 104.568 weighted
Rank: Currently 1/~500 (this is probably dropping to 2/~500 by January though)</p>

<p>SAT I:
Old: 800V 710M
New: 800V 720M 670W
Sat II:
World History: 740
US History: 790
Math IC: 670
AP:
World: 5
US: 5
Physics B:4</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule: AP Calc AB, AP Italian, AP Bio, AP Government, AP Economics, AP English Lit, AP English Language, Symphonic Orchestra</p>

<p>ECs: (You don't have to tell me, I know they suck)
Newspaper: 11, 12 (News Editor 12)
Class Secretary: 11
Dance: 8-12
Mathletes: 11, 12
NHS: 11, 12</p>

<p>Awards, Community Service, and other Random Details:
-I had a fire in my house at the end of middle school which forced me to live about 30 minutes away from my school at my grandma's house (as opposed to about 5 minutes from my house). My guidance counselor is writing about this so it sorta explains my lack of ECs in the early years of HS, but I don't want to make it look like an excuse, so I hope he won't over-emphasize it, but it was a factor.
-I received awards in 9th and 10th grade for having the 2nd highest average in my grade, and one in 11th grade for having the 1st highest.
-I was a high scorer for my school in the AMC math exam and I took the AIME exam.
-I've been playing double bass since 3rd grade and will probably want to continue this in college.
-I received an award for "Most Outstanding Member" of Concert Orchestra in 11th grade.
-In the NYSSMA music festival I was awarded an "Excellent" medal for a duet.
-My Concert Orchestra last year received a Silver award in the NYSSMA majors festival.
-I did lots of community serive as Jr. Class Secretary. Not sure of exact # of hours.
-National Merit Commended</p>

<p>Summer/Work:
Summer before 10th: Pre-College program at Brown University
Summer before 11th: Day camp counselor
This summer: Pre-calculus at community college + part-time job at local shoe store. I'm also continuing my job during the school year, working about 15 hours a week.</p>

<p>As for rec's, I'll probably give one to my Italian teacher whom I've had for 4 years and could probably write a good one for me. I'll probably give the other one to my 11th grade math teacher who is also chariman of the math department and would also write a good one. I wrote one essay about dance and I think it's okay.</p>

<p>And the schools:</p>

<p>Reach:
Harvard
Yale
Dartmouth
Cornell</p>

<p>Reach/Match:
U. Chicago
Vassar
Wesleyan
Middlebury</p>

<p>Match/Safety:
Skidmore</p>

<p>Yeah, I know U.Chicago is very different from Vassar which is very different than Cornell. I'm applying to a few different types of schools and then making my decision based on where I get in. Please rate my chances though, thanks!</p>

2

<p>bbbuuummmppp</p>

3

<p>Nope, sorry, no college for you.</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I'm actually kinda expecting that at this point. So, thanks?</p>

5

<p>You already know pretty well where you stand, and what your strengths/weaknesses are. I would suggest adding a financial safety if there is any possibility that money could be an issue. The only other issue is that of geography - the only diversity you have is Chicago. </p>

<p>I believe that Chicago will want a rec from an english/social sciences teacher (at least this was true last year) - you could send in the Italian rec as a supplemental, however. I would check the other school's websites to see if others have a similar restriction.</p>

<p>You have worked very hard in HS, and look like a wonderful student. You will know better who you are - and which school fits you best - then the acceptances role in.</p>

6

<p>ignore the previous comment. i would say you've pretty much assessed yourself. i'm familiar with the LACs so i can say that you stats are good for vassar and wesleyan. middlebury values writing skills, i've heard. best of luck? are all these your RD colleges?</p>

7

<p>(i didn't mean ignore ohiomom's comment... the one before that about "no college for you" :) )</p>

8

<p>ohio_mom - Yeah, I know about Chicago's requirements and I sent a rec from my 11th grade English teacher. Thanks!</p>

<p>Kee - They are all RD. Thanks</p>

<p>Anyone else, pleasee?</p>

9

<p>No college for you.......NEXT!</p>

10

<p>You have a good choice at Cornell. Long Island is probably the most competitive region in the country, so I think your Harvard/Yale chances are low. Dartmouth was very competitive last year for the Long Island applicants also, so I think that could be somewhat of a reach. </p>

<p>You shouldn't have a problem at U Chicago or the LACs. An on-campus interview at U Chicago would be very helpful if you have an opportunity to make the trip. </p>

<p>Add another safety also, as it's always better to have a choice of safeties in case you get unlucky with the higher-level colleges.</p>

11

<p>Thanks duke, that was really helpful. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to make the trip to Chicago for an interview. </p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

12

<p>In at all your match/safeties and reach/matches. I think at least 1 if not 2 of your reaches.</p>

13

<p>It's a good list. You have a good chance at everything from Cornell down. Your list is not really inconsistent- you seem to want a place with capable students and an academic focus. Chicago, Vassar, Wesleyan, and Cornell all sound good for you. Not many applicants take Italian, so that may catch their eye at some of these schools.</p>

14

<p>Thanks theoneo and OneMom.</p>

<p>I sent in all my applications today, so I guess now it's just waiting until April. </p>

<p>Anyone else, pleasee?</p>

15

<p>You do realize that almost all of those schools require supplemental essays? You can't just send in the essay you've written about dance.</p>

16

<p>Yes, tkb. Dance is my Common App essay, but I've done all other required supplement essays. Fortunately, I can read directions.</p>

17

<p>That's a relief. But I've known people who haven't...As for your schools:</p>

<p>Reach:
Harvard: you're qualified, but that really doesn't mean anything
Yale: similar case as Harvard
Dartmouth: good shot, but they do get a lot of Mid Atlantic applicants
Cornell: probably in</p>

<p>Reach/Match:
U. Chicago: probably in -- last year a girl with way lower scores, ECs, and grades got in from my school, though she was an absolutely amazing writer
Vassar: good shot, but it'd be easrier if you were a man (don't you just wish?)
Wesleyan: good shot
Middlebury: good shot, depending on the essay</p>

<p>Match/Safety:
Skidmore: know absolutely nothing about it
I'd second the idea of getting financial safeties though. We're applying to similar schools (I did ED to Dartmouth, and I'm doing Wesleyan, Vassar, Cornell, and Middlebury, too), and I'm using Mount Holyoke, Smith, and American as financial safeties (American for the NMF schoalrship, Smith and Holyoke for tuition exchange). I assume you don't qualify for either, but Smith and Holyoke supposedly give out good aid anyway.</p>

<p>And out of curiousity, what kind of dance do you do?</p>

<p>Oh, and orchestra is an EC.</p>

18

<p>I live an hour away from school... and I am not even mentioning that in my app. Mentioning that you didnt participate in ECs because you lived 30 minutes away WILL look like an exagerative excuse.</p>

19

<p>tkb - Thanks for your detailed responses! As for dance, I've done Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, and Modern. Good luck with your applications, too!</p>

<p>JaiJai - Yes, I'm aware it will sound like an excuse. Oh well, as much as I wish I could go back and participate in more activities, I'm just going to have to deal with what I have.</p>