<p>I think I have a really compelling story and people have told me I have a shot. I just want to know if I should bother applying to the Ivy schools at all. </p>
<p>Intended major: gender and sexuality/ pre-law</p>
<p>My father is transgendered and began his sex change when I was 9. We moved 18 times in my childhood due to job loss and discrimination. I went to 4 different high schools and finally settled in my junior and senior year when I moved out at 16. I began working the overnight shift (have work permit) and went back to school with the hope of being a lawyer one day. I want to work on LGBT discrimination cases. I have lived on my own for 2 years now. </p>
<p>I've had glowing remarks from 4 adults about my essay which focuses on my experience living on my own while going to high school, and also my strong desire to make a difference in my community. </p>
<p>GPAs (wieghted/unwieghted)
9th: 2.5/3.0
10th:2.8/3.3
11th:3.9/4.7
12th:expected to be similar to 11th</p>
<p>Final will still suck: 3.4/4.1</p>
<p>Family Income: less than $60,000/year</p>
<p>SAT:
math:690
reading:750
writing:770
(will take subject tests in Nov) </p>
<p>ECs:
Youth In Government Co-founder and president, elected state officer this year
300 hours community service
organized multiple community projects to promote educated voting/youth civic involvement
- organized middle school debate tournament
- organized a state-wide civic youth poll with 1000 respondents
- coordinate 5+ events/year
- won most outstanding statesmen for Florida 2009 </p>
<p>Debate team co-captain
-various awards at tournaments, went to nationals</p>
<p>sorry it should say unweighted/weighted</p>
<p>It is definitely worth a shot.</p>
<p>You need one or more of your reccs to mention the hurdles you overcame- this can both create a strong impression of your will to succeed and explains why grades didn’t settle high until jr year. This is usually something a savvy GC will know to mention and how to do it well. You do have a compelling story- and your successes are the stuff adults value. Just keep in mind that any great coll wants to know not just how you struggled, but that you are a resiliant, great, well-rounded, involved kid with solid perspective. They need to know you will fit in and thrive in their community- lots of kids have hurdles- you show how yours inspired you to achieve personally and do good for others.<br>
Go for the ivies or any top school that values your strengths and can foster your dreams.
Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for your advice, I’ll definatly work on this!</p>
<p>Give it a shot! Definitely emphasize your unique situation and the challenges you’ve overcome. It shows you’re the kind of student they’d like to have! Also stress how your unique/difficult childhood (parent experience) affected your career goals.
Best of luck and good for you for overcoming what I’m sure was a very difficult situation :)</p>
<p>bump?. . … . . … .</p>
<p>I think you should apply. Not only does your story say a lot about you, your grades are much better now that you’re settled (despite having to work to support yourself), thus showing what you’re truly capable of. Furthermore, other portions of your application are excellent, when accounting for your unique situation affecting your grades.</p>
<p>Because your grades settled at a high UW GPA, your ECs are impressive, and you have a more-than-valid reason for your grades, I would absolutely apply.</p>