Getting into Brown University with bad chances...?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, </p>

<p>I really really want to go to Brown. Like I almost cried to a Brown representative at a college fair (don't worry, I didn't) because of how bad I want to go to this school!</p>

<p>Unfortunately, junior year wasn't a good year for me. Freshman year, I was going through some tough stuff-- even being homeless for a time, in school I got mostly high 80s. Sophomore year I was a really excellent student receiving high 90s on all of my classes. This past year I had to adjust to having a new baby sibling after being an only child all of my life, and it really affected my grades (and my sleep). I am not trying to excuse my grades in anyway, I definitely didn't put in the effort I should have this year. Because of that, I have a 3.7 gpa both weighted & unweighted. </p>

<p>Knowing that Brown is an Ivy, I know a 3.7 gpa won't do. My SAT scores include:</p>

<p>620 on U.S. History Sat II</p>

<p>580 on the Literature SAT II --> although I'm going to probably retake this one</p>

<p>1710 on SAT; 590 on reading, 520 on Math, 600 on Writing</p>

<p>I am also planning to retake the SAT. Again, I know my scores are not high. I have taken all of the honors & A.P. classes my school offers, which is very limited but still, yeah. </p>

<p>I guess moving on to other areas of my academic career... </p>

<p>I have been involved in an enrichment program since freshman yr
I volunteered at my local library
I am on the Honors Society
I mentored a freshman & then a struggling sophomore this year
I got honorable mention in a Shakespeare contest (I go to a performing arts high school)
I interned at TriBeCa Film Institute
I participated in a Teen Critics program where I wrote a review about a play
I started a book club with little kids in my building
I am president & founder of the Philosophy Club
I have a blog
I create films on the side</p>

<p>I have also studied abroad two summers in a row, to France the first year & to Russia the next summer. I also am semi fluent in Russian, having continued studying the language after the program.</p>

<p>This summer, I took an American Studies class at Columbia University. </p>

<p>One of my college recommendation letters is written by the director of the core curriculum at Columbia.</p>

<p>I write this long long post, because I am honestly scared. I have moments where I feel so sick in my stomach because I know I probably won't get into a school that I know I belong at. So I guess my underlying question is, what do you think my chances are? Is there any hope for me? Is there anybody that is on the same boat here? </p>

<p>I know that I will be okay if I get rejected, but I am very dramatic so I apologize if I come out like that while you read this</p>

<p>Thanks so much</p>

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<p>There is always hope. If you genuinely want Brown, that is, you KNOW that a particular program or major or some other feature is what you really want and don’t want Brown simply because it’s an Ivy League school and you want to be able to boast about it on Facebook, then you should:</p>

<pre><code> 1) BE PROACTIVE. Good things come to those who deserve them, but you need to make yourself deserve that acceptance. You already said yourself that your GPA isn’t good - BRING IT UP! YOU CAN! Your SAT I and SAT IIs are a little low - there are THREE test dates before the deadline - BRING THEM UP! YOU CAN!

  1. WORK HARD. Really, there is no substitute for hard work, unless your parents can donate millions of dollars towards a building, which, I’m guessing, they can’t. And there is nothing wrong with that. You can make yourself worthy of an acceptance. Work hard, be sincere, put everything you have into your grades, extracurrics, essays, scores, etc.
    </code></pre>

<p>If you do not work hard and be sincere, then come April 2015 (i.e. Brown decision time), the rejection will sting you. It will hurt. But if you DO work hard and ARE sincere, then even if you DO get rejected, you won’t feel so bad… and oh yeah… it may just be an acceptance.</p>

3

<p>To be perfectly honest your chances are pretty poor. I’d say you’re most likely not going to get in, but there is still a bit of hope. A tiny percentage of those attending have SAT scores in the 500-600 range, although I think most of them probably have stellar scores on 2 sections and a lower score on one section, where as you’ve got lower scores on all sections. Are you applying ED? That bumps the acceptance rate up to 19%. It’s still not great, but it’s a lot better than the overall 8% acceptance rate for women (assuming you’re a girl? Sorry if I’m mistaken). </p>

<p>The only chance you have is to convince them that you’re an amazing person they can’t miss out on. According to collegedata, the most important things to Brown are: rigor of your classes, level of applicant’s interest, particular talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. Other criteria that are also very highly considered: GPA, SAT/ACT, recommendations, class rank, essays, and extracurriculars. So if you can find a way to sell them on yourself and prove you’ve got some talent they’d be fools to pass up that’s your only shot. I’d recommend trying to find some other schools you’ve got a better chance at though. </p>

<p>Just a quick note: I’d probably leave the blog off of your list of activities unless you’re making money from it or it’s some hot shot blog with thousands of visits per day. I have a blog, and so do thousands of other teenagers. I spend hours blogging, but it’s probably not worth telling colleges since I just reblog stuff on Tumblr. Yes, 2,000 followers and so much time put in seems like a big deal to me, but unless you’ve got some super cool reason to back it up it’s not an interesting ec and it means just about nothing. (again, completely disregard if you’re making some money or working with some big deal blog) </p>

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<p>I really appreciate your comment. I am working hard. Thank you so much for your uplifting words!!</p>

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<p>I also appreciate your comment aspiringwmgirl, thank you</p>

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<p>Here are Brown’s admissions statistics
<a href=“Getting into Brown University with bad chances...? - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/1674069/getting-into-brown-university-with-bad-chances&lt;/a&gt;
I think you can see (if you don’t know already) that Brown is a longshot for you. Unfortunately schools like Brown are a reach for almost anybody these days and your scores are below their average. Certainly you should apply and make your best case. Who knows? BUT Iyou should not pin all your dreams on Brown (or any one school). There are tons of amazingly wonderful schools out there. Try to think about what attributes of Brown attracted you to the school and then look for other schools that have similar traits and where your statistics will be more of a match. Be sure to take finances into account as well. Good luck</p>

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<p>Since you already acknowledge that Brown is a distant longshot, the job that lies before you is to find a smattering of schools similar to Brown which you can equally love and be excited. Frankly, put Brown out of your mind (other than you plan on applying) and bear down on finding other great schools. Many exist, you know – especially if finances are not a limiting factor.</p>

<p>I’m only guessing but I doubt a single person is at Brown with a combo of 3.7GPA and 1710 SATs. But that shouldn’t deter you from the task I outlined above. Good luck.</p>

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<p>A 3.7 GPA isn’t bad. It isn’t what will keep you out of Brown. Your SAT score will keep you out. You clearly are motivated, and driven, but you need to bring it up. Bring it up to AT LEAST 2000, which isn’t impossible. Your ECs are great, which is a huge plus for you. If you maintain a 4.0 for next year, and apply RD, that will help you as well.</p>

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<p>I have also posted a thread where people tell me it will be “a long shot” or “impossible” to get into a college. Don’'t listen to those people. In the end, they may be right. What matters is that you want to go there. If you can get a fee waiver (like me!), then apply to any college you want. All it will take is your effort and I am sure that you dont mind that if you really want to go to Brown. It is a great school. Worse comes to worse, you get rejected (which is a possibility for anyone, no matter their stats) and go to a back-up school. </p>

<p>The thing that I am concerned with (with myself too) is that if you get in, will you be able to handle the difficulty of the classes. If there is one thing you can’t truly, accurately find out from the internet, it is the difficulty of the classes. You don’t want to be in an environment where you can’t handle what is surrounding you even if the people are nice and the campus is pretty and you love the food. As hard as it is (I know first hand, because I am applying to Duke!), it is something that will greatly affect your 4+ years at school.</p>

<p>I hope everything goes well for you regardless of your acceptance or rejection to Brown. It is not the end of the world if you don’t get in. We have to remember that.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>Sorry, but I’m going to be blunt.
In all likelihood you don’t “belong” at Brown.</p>

<p>A 3.7 and a 1710 for an unhooked candidate with run-of-the-mill ECs getting admitted to Brown simply does not happen.</p>

<p>Let’s say your family donates 10 million or so and you <em>do</em> get in. Realistically, how well are you going to do among a student body who had 4.0’s and 2350’s?<br>
You would likely not do well.
So, no you don’t “belong.”</p>

<p>You need to move on and find a school more in your range.</p>

<p>P.S. Most Brown students probably know that it’s best not to end sentences with a preposition.</p>

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<p>I thought perhaps Brown might cut u some slack for being low income. But this doesn’t sound poor:

</p>

<p>Have u actually visited Brown? Or are u just in love w the idea of going to Brown?</p>

<p>Have u visited any other schools? If so, you’d be fully aware that there are plenty of other very tasty fish in the sea.</p>

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<p>It’s fine to have a dream school that you work towards. I would definitely encourage it. However, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Research other colleges that are similar to Brown but have higher acceptance rates. It is completely possible to fall in love with more than one school. I bet if you visit schools similar to Brown, you’ll fall in love with a few. Then, if you don’t get into Brown, you’ll be okay because you have other schools to choose from that you love. I didn’t get into my “dream school,” and I honestly wasn’t that upset. I had fallen in love with other colleges over the course of the application process and so I was still stoked at the options I had. </p>

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<p>GPA isn’t that bad but SAT is way below Brown’s standards and EC’s are also below Ivy league standards.</p>

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<p>@soze‌
The preposition at the end of a sentence “flaw” is archaic/a myth and probably shouldn’t be used to judge someone, especially based on an internet post.</p>

<p>Your other points are quite valid though, but the P.S. seems unnecessary (and inaccurate)</p>

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<p>Try the ACT and see how you score. If low, pick which test you scored higher on and continue working towards a higher score on that particular test. If you’re unable to get a higher score, I wouldn’t suggest wasting your money on an app. There are tons of (especially test optional) schools that would love to have you.</p>

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<p>HappyHelper is correct that clause-terminal prepositions are fine and the “rule” is a canard.</p>

<p>I’m afraid to say I’m also in agreement with those who say your chances are bleak. Sorry.</p>

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<p>Totally off topic but

A canard is an unfounded rumor or story. It is not that, it is actually grammar. Traditional grammar taught that it was improper to end on a prepositional phrase. But English is a dynamic language and that style of speaking/writing has become more common (as have words like yerking FWIW). It still hurts my brain to hear a prepositional phrase at the end of a sentence and to see it in writing.</p>

<p>Now back to your regularly scheduled thread…</p>

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<p>@marvin100‌, @HappyHelper‌ I didn’t say it’s a rule, I said it’s “best not to” which is pretty much true, since rule or not many people find terminal propositions distracting.</p>

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<p>It might be worth reading up on it. It was a canard when first introduced (as a vestige of Latin) and has never accurately described mainstream usage. Any good usage dictionary should be able to clarify this for you.</p>

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<p>Or, in the words so often attributed to Winston Churchill but probably penned by another, “This is the kind of arrant pedantry up with which I will not put.”</p>