How to Improve?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I'm currently a senior, and I just wanted some last minute advice on how to improve my application.</p>

<p>UConn
Clark University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Carleton College
Wesleyan University
Vassar College
Brown University
MIT
Yale (<-- not really interested... family wants me to apply)</p>

<p>GPA: ~99.4 W, 4.0 W (we don't do UW)
Rank: 8/254 (at the moment... this may change before application time, for better or worse, I do not know)
AP: Chemistry (5), Language and Composition (5), US History (4), Calculus AB or BC (Currently Taking), Music Theory (Currently Taking)
Dual-Enrollment: Spanish (jumped from Spanish 3 to 5 DE after not taking 4 Jr. year ... conflicted w/ AP Chem), Physics, English, European History</p>

<p>Taking toughest course load in my school.</p>

<p>SAT I (Super Scored): 770 CR/650 M/720 W w. 8 E- 1420/2140 (taking for 3rd time in November; at this rate, will probably get ~740 in M, for 1510/2230)
SAT II: Chemistry (770), US History (650), Math II (taking in December- hoping for 750+)</p>

<p>Categorized ECs ("*" indicates leadership or auditioned for position):</p>

<p>Marching Band* (4 Yr)
Jazz Band* (2 Yr)
Caroler* (2 Yr)
Piano Lessons (5 Yr)
Voice Lessons (1 Yr)</p>

<p>Gay-Straight Alliance* (4 Yr)
Elementary School Volunteer* (2 Yr) [I'm actually running my own music program for them in November]
Link Crew (2 Yr)
Peer Advocate (2 Yr)</p>

<p>Job:
Cashier (1)</p>

<p>Other:
-African American/Native American (not enrolled)/Caucasian female
-1st Gen
-Lower/middle class
-Going to major in the sciences. Leaning toward cog. sci/neurosci/biotech
-My chemistry teacher of 2 years wrote an amazing rec. for me; I almost cried when I read it. Second recommendation is coming from my senior year English teacher and will probably be somewhat general, as I haven't had her before.
-I have been a strong writer since grade school. I've also had several people read my common app. essay and tell me that it's very good; although, admittedly, it is fairly risky, and has the potential to rub someone the wrong way.
-Attended an exemplary (and free) summer + engineering program over the summer... most (if not all) of the top colleges know about it.</p>

<p>I think that's it... ask if you wish to know anything else. Any and all help is certainly appreciated, especially because I'm first gen. and am kind of on my own with this.</p>

2

<p>Yale: Reach
MIT: Reach
WPI: Safety
UConn: Safety
Clark: Safety
Carleton: Reach
Vassar: Reach
Wesleyan: Reach
Brown: Reach</p>

<p>Just get a match you will actually like and afford…</p>

3

<p>Throw that Math up for MIT.</p>

4

<p>@Guy: Yeah, it’s getting there! I’m pretty confident I can get up to 760 for November; at the moment I’m hovering around 740-760.</p>

<p>About half of the people from that program that I attended are accepted into MIT each year, so hopefully that gives me a bit of an edge.</p>

<p>Thanks to both of you =)</p>

<p>Forgot something:</p>

<p>Guidance rec. is going to be amazing. I’m really close with my counselor, and he’s been excited for this time since my sophomore year, lol. He said that I’m the strongest student he has, and that he has complete confidence in and support for me, regardless of what direction I decide to take my life in.</p>

5

<p>UConn: Match/safety
Clark University: Safety
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Safety
Carleton College: High match
Wesleyan University: Low reach (LACs do put weight on diversity)
Vassar College: Low Reach (see above)
Brown University: Reach
MIT: Reach
Yale: Reach</p>

<p>URM helps you quite a bit with some seriously competitive colleges…Best of luck with those. Hope the essay and rec come together.</p>

<p>Chance back if you will?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1557170-heres-my-numbers-so-chance-me-maybe-cornell-ed.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1557170-heres-my-numbers-so-chance-me-maybe-cornell-ed.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>keep working hard and push yourself beyond your limits. don’t screw up on your applications.</p>

7

<p>Carleton: High match</p>