Is it worth applying, or do I have absolutely no chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>Hi, I’m subpar.</p>

<p>I’ve made a lot of mistakes and dumb decisions, but I am moving forward and striving to improve. Hopefully, Brown will see this when considering me as a prospective student, but if this is too far out of reach, then I don’t want to apply.</p>

<p>I’m hoping to pursue a dual degree at RISD. I am unsure about my intended major at Brown, but am leaning towards a field related to anthropology/sociology/international relations. I recognize that my stats are mediocre, but Brown seems like a really good fit for me and I don’t want to rule it out too quickly.</p>

<p>NOTE: I have been suspended once. During my freshman year, I was angry with a student and wrote a post about her on my blog. It was immature, dumb, and mean. I have since come a long way, and I think that shows in my app, esp. through my leadership positions.</p>

<p>Chinese/Female/East coast
2100 SAT score (retaking in October)
750 SAT United States History
700 SAT Math II
Will have strong essay and recs.</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Honors/AP
Chem Honors
UW 3.5/3.67
W 3.67/3.83</p>

<p>Junior Year Honors/AP
AP United States History
American Literature Honors
UW 3.67/3.83
W 4.0/4.16</p>

<p>I have taken Sociology 1, Psychology 1, Cultural Anthropology, and Intro to Art History at my local community college. I have gotten A’s in all those classes.</p>

<p>Senior Year AP Coursework
AP Literature
AP Government
AP Economics
AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
Design Editor of Yearbook (Won 1 CSPA award, 2 yrs)
Treasurer of Chinese Club (1 yr)
President of Chinese Club (1 yr)
Treasurer of Class Council (1 yr)
Vice President of Class Council (1 yr)
President of Class Council (1 yr)
Volunteer at local church (6 yrs)
Volunteer at soup kitchen (1 yr)
Creative Advertisement Associate at small marketing/design firm</p>

<p>Thank you. I appreciate any/all advice. Cheers!</p>

2

<p>Your gpa seems a bit low.</p>

3

<p>First thing’s first, get your SAT up (which you’re already planning on). I’d retake Math II just because the curve for it is so high that many applicants will have something 750+. Assuming you can pull those two up, you have just as good of a chance as the next applicant. Write essays conveying who the YOU is and why they should accept you. Get great LOR’s. And DON’T STRESS YOURSELF OUT OVER ALL OF IT. The process is tedious and nerve wracking and just awful in general (having seen my sister go through it just a few years ago). Know that no matter what happens that you’ve done all you can and will end up somewhere great. :)</p>

4

<p>Your GPA is a little low for Brown, but not atrociously low. Work as hard as you possibly can, retake the SAT and nail it, and write good essays. If you do that, you could be pretty competitive.</p>

5

<p>Thanks everybody for the advice!</p>

<p>@Austere: Yeah, I was really nervous when I took my SATs, so hopefully I’ll do better in October. Thanks for the advice; your words were very reassuring. :)</p>