I know it is pointless to make chance threads

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>…but do I have a good shot at Brown?</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I’ve caught a case of college-obsessive-itis - it comes in waves, but right now is one of those times when I feel the need to be evaluated, based on a list of stats and ECs, by high school and college students whom I don’t know. </p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Race: Biracial (black/white)
GPA: 3.85 UW; 4.6 W
Class Rank: 8/100
SAT I: 650 M, 790 CR, 770 W; 2210 composite
SAT II: Yet to take. Going to take Latin, Literature and Math II
Economic bracket: Will not be applying for FA</p>

<p>Notes on curriculum:
I’ve taken all AP classes during Junior year; all classes during senior year will be AP; I’ve taken 6 courses each semester all throughout high school, while the normal course load is 5 per semester (take two foreign languages, spanish and latin)</p>

<p>**EC’s: **
•Editor-in-chief of newspaper (member for four years)
•Editor of literary magazine (member for four years)
•Member of Varsity debate team
•President of Political Action Club
•Founding member of Spanish club
•Baseball (10 years total, 1 year JV, 1 year Varsity)
•Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (2 years)
•Muy Thai (2 years)</p>

<p>Notable Thang(s):
•Published poetry at a few, small online literary magazines; have some work out now at bigger-name print journals. It’d be great if something came of that.</p>

<p>**Summer: **
•3-week credit-earning creative writing program at Rhodes College (Grade: A)
•Accepted into and attending the University of Iowa Young Writer’s Studio
*Undergraduate credited courses at Temple U in Philosophy and Literature
•Internships at two different local newspapers; paying job at newspaper
•Internship at WHYY (Philadelphia’s radio/TV branch of National Public Radio)
•Job as a server at a local diner (3 years straight).</p>

<p>**Essays: **
One about how being biracial but looking white has affected how I approach people and communicate with people, and how that has sparked my interest in journalism/writing; one was written in stream-of-consciousness style, then I spent time structuring it formally. It’s about my passions, my daily life, my goals. </p>

<p>Teacher Recs:
Will be strong. One from English teacher. Getting one from my math teacher, which, if it is very good, will hopefully counter that damn SAT math section score.</p>

<p>Any opinions? How much will my math SAT I hurt me? Your welcome, also, to tell me to “shove it and go elsewhere with the stupid chance thread.”</p>

2

<p>You look like you have a fighting chance. Suggested improvements:
There’s no harm in taking the SAT again, this time studying a lot for Math. Even if your writing and CR score take a 20 or so point hit, it won’t matter all that much since Brown will look at your best composite score, meaning you can keep the 1560 in CR/Writing and maybe get up to a 700 in Math, for a 2260 overall, even if you only post a 2230 or so on your retake. Current math score probably won’t kill your chances since you’re obviously a humanities oriented person, but it like I said it can’t hurt to retake.
I’m not the biggest fan of your essay topics, but done well I can see how they can be an asset to your overall application. You have a lot of time, do what I did (because I was just like you when I was in your shoes, a junior or at times even a sophomore who was obsessively crazed with college admissions), start writing your essays now, have atleast 5 essays for every topic that you would be content using for your final application, and then spend the final weeks before sending editing and altering your final choice. Common app prompts don’t change so you’ll be fine, but you may end up writing essays for supplement prompts that don’t even exist the year you apply–a disappointment but atleast you would have been prepared had the prompts stayed the same.
I like the job, internships, and summer program–you have a niche in writing and oration, but you’re also relatively well-rounded with the athletic stuff as well.<br>
Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>You will be accepted.</p>

4

<p>Take the SAT’s again and try to improve.</p>

<p>I think you stand a really good chance now, but once more won’t hurt, unless you’ve already taken it three times.</p>

<p>But yeah, it’s looking pretty good.</p>

5

<p>Mochabear - thanks so much for the in-depth response. I’m tempted to take them again since I’ve only taken them once…but…gah…I also want to just put them behind me, to just focus on SAT II’s and my essays and grades and stuff. Dilemma dilemma.</p>

<p>About my essays - I think they are well-written (they better be, since writing is my strong point) but I’m continuously drafting. Thanks for the advice about selecting essay topics; will definitely put that to use. Would you be open to giving my pieces a once-over after I draft a bit more? It won’t be for a while, and if not that’s fine - you’ve been more than helpful already. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Kicharo - Oh how I wish you were the dean of admissions.</p>

<p>Amadeuic - strongly considering it; also dreading it. Thanks for the input.</p>

<p>Any other opinions? Equal chance ED/RD? Anyone majoring in english at Brown?</p>

<p>sorry if I’m a bother :o</p>

6

<p>I typically don’t answer chances threads (your chance really is 10% like everyone else – well, a little higher since you are male and African-American) – but you seem to have some interesting ECs and credentials that will appeal to admissions. I doubt your 650 in Math will keep you out, but getting a higher score (shoot for 700) would be nice. Go to the SAT forum here on CC and read the Xiggi method, and see if that helps you boost your score.</p>

<p>My main piece of advice is that it’s too early to solidify your essays. Even if you apply ED, the application isn’t due for another 6+ months. You will mature and change a lot in those 6 months. Don’t lock in an essay topic – keep yourself open to other ideas. Make sure your application reflects the person you are in October, not who you are now.</p>

<p>If money is not an obstacle, you don’t need to compare aid packages, and Brown is your first choice, then you should apply ED. But that’s not a decision you have to make until October.</p>

7

<p>You scare me a little bit. I like it.</p>

<p>I hope you get in. We’ll get coffee, yes?</p>

8

<p>Yeah, I’ll be glad to look them over. Just message me whenever you want me to take a look.</p>

9

<p>fireandrain - Thanks for the advice. I’m definitely not locked into any essay ideas; they’ll surely evolve over time, and that’s a good thing. To be honest, I was just swept up into the college admissions hype and the essays were the only things I could get started on, haha. Thanks again.</p>

<p>Shady Lane - After some post snooping, I’ve come to the decision that I ought to be the scared one; I’m not the one who has achieved the herculean feat of a publishing novel! Hopefully we’ll meet for coffee in Providence to talk literature (and whatever else). Perhaps you could help me improve my horrific prose fiction :)</p>

<p>Mochabear - Gracias, amig(o/a).</p>

10

<p>I don’t like when people say “your chances are 10% just like everyone else” because it’s pretty obvious that’s not true.</p>

11

<p>Raising your math SAT is prob. a good idea, but your ethnicity will act as a definite plus in your case.</p>

12

<p>God, could you teach me to write poetry? I have a feeling they’re going to make me try, and I’ll be laughed out of the program.</p>

13

<p>If you’re asked to write verse, simply write some stellar prose, use strategically-placed line breaks, and market it as poetry :)</p>

<p>That’s the beauty of all things creative writing-related: no one can tell you that what you’re doing is illegitimate. But you know that better than I.</p>