<p>Hi guys; I'm new to this forum, so I don't really know the ropes that well.....Buw what I do know is that I've been thinking about about colleges lately, namely the prestigious Ivies (Yes, sadly I've espoused to the nation's meritocracy, blah, blah, whatever).....I'm looking to do pre-med, specifically a neuroscience program at either Georgetown, Brandeis (Hopefully Matches), NYU or Stony Brook (Safeties), and finally Brown, Columbia, Yale or Dartmouth(All reaches). Btw, if anyone can recommend another school with a great neurology program, I'd be thrilled. I'm a pretty good student, not so involved as most of the Ivy league alumni or those who got accepted, but I'm getting there (still a freshie in HS). In my school the honors program (which are the most rigorous courses available) is exclusive, meaning all or none. You have to have a 3.7 GPA or higher, and basically 92's and higher in every single subject, with the exception of 3 which are at the principal's discretion to choose. It's a Jewish prep school in brooklyn (hosting an amalgam of literary subjects and sciences, along with Hebrew and Judaism-related subjects). This is my courseload for the first semester, which accentuates my bad performance (I was distracted by some other business the first half, so it's not as competitive).......I think I'm in the top 18%, not really sure, but I'm getting back to my usual performance this upcoming half. Every single course I will list will change on my transcript to honors classes, since I am switching back in a week (when we return from intersession): </p>
<p>Bible: 92
Living Environment Biology: 88
English/ Literature: 95
Social Studies: 95
Jewish law(Basic): 90
Hebrew Language: 93
Spanish :94
Jewish Prophets: 93
Int. Algebra: (final grade isn't out since I missed the final, so my teacher approximated a 91 average): 91
Jewish Oral Law (Advanced Level): 92</p>
<p>Again, this is not my best efforts in play. Hopefully I will bring everything back up to 99's.....
Please give me your feedback!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t think about this so early in your high school experience. Getting into a top school today is a crapshoot. Seven of the eight Ivies each received over 25,000 applications this year. There are way more qualified applicants than there are spots. Just try your best and do the things that you love. Then it will all work out. It did for me. There’s not only one place where you’ll be happy. I’m sure I would have been happy at any of the places that I was going to apply to.</p>
<p>Especially at “Jewish prep schools” as you call them (AKA Jewish day school, but however you’d like to phrase it), most Ivies will have some type of unofficial quota system. I’m sure you’re aware of the numbers at your school, and it differs entirely by region and specific institution, but each Ivy will generally accept between 0-2 students from each year, depending on waning and waxing student talent, etc. A friend of mine who went to a Jewish school in Manhattan told me this, although her particular school happened to do even better - these are simply the rates at most other prominent Jewish high schools.</p>
<p>Another important aspect is the early application: if you have your heart set on attending an Ivy, make SURE to take advantage of ED/EA programs. Otherwise its simply completely unpredictable.</p>
<p>Final note: you’re far too young to be thinking about college. Seriously. Chill out, read a book, get a girlfriend, play basketball… whatever. You do not need to be considering college at this age. In 2 years, come back. Visiting this board will not grant you an edge. It will only psych you out.</p>
<p>Yes, correct alvie.singer, how did you guess? Usually Flatbush and Ramaz are highly competitive as far as admission to Ivies; Ramaz being on a slightly higher pedestal. Well as far as I know, over the years, many have gotten into Wharton or UPenn, Columbia, and rarely, but certainly some HYP…The majority go to NYU, CUNY, SUNY, CUNY Honors…As for Ramaz, the methodology is geared more towards HYPSM acceptance… 3 or 4 students were accepted to Penn this year ED, one got deferred from Yale SCEA (top 5%; school doesn’t ranks, 2200), one into Columbia, and the other Barnard. There are some who have been admitted into some of the more competitive but more easily admitting, if you will; such as Brandeis, JHU, BU, etc.</p>
<p>In the more general Jewish community of Greater New York, students are known to go out to more liberal, rural Ivy communities such as Dartmouth and Brown (Which I lean more towards; unfortunately the community has a tight hold on its children, less than several years ago, but nonetheless a very non-pliant parent body). Auspiciously for me, my parents grant me a certain “independant- choice making”; the “je nais se quoi” privilege of being the oldest in a family.</p>
<p>Brown is not a rural Ivy community - it’s quite urban. If you’re looking for rural, Brown will not suffice. (some friendly advice: do some research on these schools beyond their Ivy League status and US News rank; Wikipedia is your friend).</p>
<p>Your post was unclear; to what does “less than several years ago” refer? If your school (and wider community) is generally reluctant to send students to Dartmouth and Brown, you could be perceived as a fringe candidate insofar as your school is unknown to admissions staff. I would take the time to see if any past Flatbush alumni have successfully applied to Dartmouth and Brown, and what their stats were like.</p>
<p>And a final word of advice - it’s spelled “je ne sais quoi.” I would perfect my spelling before employing unnecessary literary pretensions (I don’t mean that in a condescending way, although I suppose it can’t help but seem so when I correct your French, of all things).</p>
<p>PS - “Jewish Oral Law” is equivalent to Talmud, presumably?</p>
<p>To be honest, in today’s world, it’s never too early to start thinking about college and it’s definitely great you’re taking a step to do that! I know I was in ur shoes four years ago as well. </p>
<p>I agree though that you should not spend much time on CC as it will psych you out and that is certainly no way to live for the next four years…trust me it is kind of a long journey haha. </p>
<p>What I would do though is spend some time in the Summer Programs forum. I really learned a lot from there during my sophomore year. It’s still Feb. so you should be in the running for many programs. Focus on your summers…do something fun but productive because it can really set you a part. I would’ve never known to try out applying for internships and such if it wasn’t for that forum, and I can honestly tell you that my summers have been the best thanks to CC. The key is to do something fun that might relate to a future career choice while getting teh opportunity to work with some amazing people. It’s really priceless. </p>
<p>Stay away from SAT and ACTs right now lol…it’s too early! Maybe crack a prep book open sometime next year! Good luck!!! (though I think I might need it more than you right now haha!)</p>
- it’s spelled “je ne sais quoi.” I would perfect my spelling before employing unnecessary literary pretensions (I don’t mean that in a condescending way, although I suppose it can’t help but seem so when I correct your French, of all things).</p>