<p>I posted this in the chances forum. Since then, I realized that it may be better suited for a Brown-specific forum. If re-posting this here is bad etiquette, please tell me. </p>
<p>So here is what I said, copied and pasted:</p>
<p>Brown is my dream school. Honestly, I don’t know if I would really be happy anywhere else.</p>
<p>Anyways, my stats:</p>
<p>1510 SAT (730 V, 780 M)
790, 720, 700 SAT IIs (may retake)
Will take ACT this Spring</p>
<p>I am 17 years old, used to be homeschooled. Taken college classes for the past two years, 4.0 GPA, well rounded education, intensive courses, etc. </p>
<p>I’ve done about 15-20 hours every week of various volunteer work, internships, etc. Planning to spend the next year in Europe studying sustainable architecture. I plan on applying to Brown as a Freshman ED this Fall after spending time in Europe, also taking more summer courses and possibly volunteering a bit abroad.</p>
<p>I’m an excellent writer and have terrific recommendations.</p>
<p>Do people think I stand a decent chance at Brown?</p>
<p>"If re-posting this here is bad etiquette, please tell me."
It's horrible etiquette. Brown admissions officers check these things regularly, and will destroy your application immediately if they found you broke the CC code of conduct :).</p>
<p>Anyway, your grades and SAT scores are in the right range; there is no need to retake them. Brown likes good writers, so, at this point your admission will probably depend on subjective things such as your "fit" with the school.</p>
<p>I'm so glad Brown is your first choice. You have a good chance, especially ED, and I hope to see you in two years.</p>
<p>Haha, I know that at some boards, at least, people get very annoyed with new posters coming and going against their unwritten board etiquette rules.</p>
<p>I thought that it couldn't hurt to retake the SATs, because I made some pretty dumb mistakes on them. Do you think this would be a bad idea?</p>
<p>I heard that Brown really loves kids with a lot of self-direction, too, so I thought that my alternative education could make me stand out? I really hope so, gosh.</p>
<p>Yeah, the people who get annoyed are probably just stressed out about the whole admissions process and take it out on other kids. </p>
<p>I still highly recommend that you not retake the SAT's. 700+ is above the cutoff for ANY school. It will make you look worse to take them again.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, a lot of people who apply to these schools do take college courses and summer school courses, so I don't know how alternative your education will look. It will make you sound VERY academically motivated and curious, which, in my opinion, is more important than having a "different" type of education. </p>
<p>Of course I also don't know what I'm talking about. I'm just speculating.</p>
<p>I would mention it. I mentioned that I took college courses (but not that I was homeschooled). You may want to mention the homeschooling thing if you think it fits with your application. Good luck.</p>
<p>I think my homeschooling instead of high school will definitely look alternative; a lot of kids do college classes and summer college classes, but they're still enrolled in high school.</p>
<p>I'm not sure at all, but I assume that it's a tiny minority and enough to at least make my application stand out somewhat; especially if I've been doing unique things like internships abroad instead of just traditional schoolwork at home.</p>
<p>Ireland and England, if everything goes according to plan. Gosh I hope it does. I'm in contact (through family members) with a few green architects who offered to let me apprentice with them.</p>
<p>soccart and anyone else who has been accepted to Brown, may I ask what set you apart from the thousands of other applicants? Also, do you know if they will be requiring the new SAT? I heard that they would be, but it would feel silly for me to retake it.</p>
<p>I have no idea what set me apart...honestly. I put my intended major as art history and I talked about my interest in the subject, et cetera. Maybe that had something to do with it. I wish I knew...</p>
<p>"For students who are currently juniors in secondary school (members of the Class of 2006) and who will apply for admission to Brown in 2005-06, the testing requirement is slightly different. Beginning in Spring 2005, the SAT I will be known as the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT II as the SAT Subject Tests. Applicants will be required to submit results of the SAT Reasoning Test and any two SAT Subject Tests (except for the SAT II Writing Test). Alternatively, an applicant may submit results of the ACT which takes the place of both the SAT Reasoning Test and the SAT Subject Tests. If choosing the ACT, it must be taken with the Writing Test option."</p>
<p>It seems silly to me that they would require the new SAT with two subject tests, instead of allowing the old SAT with three subject tests (including writing). Bah.</p>
<p>The admissions officer wrote me (and everyone else accepted ED) a letter with a personal note citing the reasons for my acceptance: I displayed a sincere interest in academics and a passion for social change. I think the admissions officer was being pretty honest; Brown wants students who will make the school look good, but they also want students who fit in with the philosophy of the school. So I'd say emphasize in your essay the aspects of yourself that correspond with the school's philosophy. </p>
<p>Then again, an admissions officer won't write in a letter: "Your supreme violin-playing skills will improve our school band, and therefore our reputation" or "You're black and we need to make our school look diverse." And I'm sure for every college, having something unique to offer and showing that you're an intelligent, diligent student is important. But for Brown, once you have met a certain minimum standard (which you have), the most important thing is the fit you have with the school.</p>
<p>I don't know. I guess my advice to you is to be honest (but don't be afraid to brag a little). Schools can see through bull***** accomplishments like "President of Save World Hunger Club." Prove to them that you've accomplished in one or two extracurricular areas that you're sincerely interested in. And prove to them that you have a sincere interest in learning and an independent mind. If you do that, you stand a good shot.</p>
<p>Of course this is all speculation. I could be completely wrong.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your advice and being so helpful. I feel like I fit in really well with Brown, in terms of its educational philosophies and such. I spent some time there recently and fell even more in love with it.</p>
<p>Should I contact an admissions officer and ask if my old SAT scores plus writing will be acceptable, or if I should retake it?</p>