<p>shes hispanic she'll get in anywhere</p>
<p>Your PSAT scores are fine as a sophmore, I bet, with a little prep (I stress little, you can raise them 30-40 points easily.</p>
<p>Shutup jor, don't be so ignorant. She's had twice the challenges you had and probably has done twice as much with her life.</p>
<p>Honestly though, I think you guys should stop trying to discourage her from Ivy League. Prestige is a big deal, especially for intelligent minorities trying to aim high. To us, it's a key to becoming wealthy, opens all the doors for you, meeting upper class people with connections, and a way to give your family what it deserves for all their work. Of course it's important to have other options available. I know you all like the college you attend / wish to attend best, but the fact of the matter is that the big Ivy League schools are at the top of the rankings worldwide. </p>
<p>With all the challenges she's had, I think she has a great shot at an Ivy League school.</p>
<p>Armando, I don't remember her mentioning any challenges she's had other than maybe a difficult schedule. You seem to be assuming that simply becuase she's hispanic, she's had "challenges." Under that assumption, you and jor are sying the same thing.</p>
<p>"moved to the U.S. when I was 10 without speaking any english"</p>
<p>I'm not assuming a damn thing. Sorry for the language but I refused to be classified with jor.</p>
<p>Fair enough, I didn't see that. But Jor still has a point. URMs have an advantage over others.</p>
<p>URMs only have an advantage when they are upper class.</p>
<p>Other than that, the majority of URMs are given a leg up so that they can compete with the upper class students with stellar EC's, years of prep classes, specialized private schools, etc.</p>
<p>armando, i sense the sudden bitterness with which you snapped at me only reflects your own underlying sense of insecurity and desire to turn things into a huge argument. i have made no derogatory remarks towards any race nor have I suggested that she has done "nothing." i am simply stating a simple factor in college admissions. if I spoke a lie (though perhaps I did exaggerate), then by all means, i will accept my mistake.</p>
<p>simply jumping to an ad hominem argument by attacking me doesn't strengthen anything you say, in fact you're just as foolish for making assumptions about me. you mislead others with your blind rage</p>
<p>Actually, Armando, from what I have seen URM's do not have an advantage when they are upper class in the college admissions world. There are so many URM's applying that being a minority in itself doesn't help much. Overcoming obstacles is the relevant issue here. A person who is poor, whose parents did not attend college or who did not speak English, whose school is underfunded, and who still achieves great things, now that is the gold adcoms dig to find. Who wouldn't want a person like that??! </p>
<p>I am so impressed with the OP's achievements. Study hard this summer and next year for those SAT's, Maria. Take a course, and work the Barron's, Princeton Review, and Kaplan books until the spines break. Consider taking the SAT's later on in the year so you have more time to prepare. The fall is a little soon because you need prep time (IMHO). Good luck! I bet every Ivy League school will be thrilled at the chance to review your file. :-)</p>
<p>If you can get your SAT above 2100 you have a great shot at all the Ivies and I'd expect you'd be admitted anywhere saving HYPS. Good luck!</p>
<p>If you don't think being a URM helps a ton in college admissions you are kidding yourself.</p>
<p>For Yale admissions, the average score of a URM admit on the SAT's was 130 points lower than a white admit and even more so for an Asian admit.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you can get your SAT above 2100 you have a great shot at all the Ivies and I'd expect you'd be admitted anywhere saving HYPS. Good luck!
[/quote]
You can't really expect anything... For all we might know, this girl could get rejected from all ivies, as with other more qualified and better candidates that got rejected that I know.</p>
<p>It is the test scores that might kill you.</p>
<p>You will get in as a female if you apply for engineering or math no matter how low your scores are plus you are a minority.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of your comments. Yeah it's true that many universities promote academics and leadership, but not to the level that Harvard and Yale do. Also though, Armando is sort of right, it wasnt very easy when I moved here. No one in my family spoke english, the education in our county is terrible because there is no support towards academics and they aren't willing to invest in better education so I've tried to take advantage of everything that is offered. The first yr and a half was probably the most difficult of my life so far, not only did I have to adapt to a new culture while being away from everything I'd grown up with but every day and every day things were a challenge. I'm definetely not complaining though because overcoming those challenges helped me realize that with drive and determination I could accomplish the goals I set for myself. Even without the english though, I still managed to get A's and B's and even won an essay competition in my community a yr after I moved here. Couple of yrs later I became involved in leadership activities and thats when I finally found my passion. Leadership is everything to me and there's nothing I enjoy more. So I havent had the easiest time moving here but it has been great and it has only motivated me to aim high and hopefully I'll be able to get into my dream colleges. </p>
<p>ps- for some reason, I've never thought about Cornell but I do like the fact that UPenn focuses on career placement a lot more than the other Ivys so I'll be sure to check those out too :)</p>
<p>Maria,
You are an extra ordinary young lady. Keep working hard and follow your dreams. Even when people tell you that you can't, use that as a motivator to prove them wrong. You may want to check with your GC at your school and find out if there are any business programs where there is any affiliation with Corporations within your area, where you can possibly do a summer intern.</p>
<p>I've just recently found out about this forum, and as such I've solicited the advice from others. While there is a lot that I've known before, there is still a lot that I'm learning. So I look forward in following your journey of success. I've also sent you a PM.... Good luck and reach for the stars through all the difficulties"</p>
<p>Here is a business program which is located at a number of fine institutions across the country (I believe it started at Wharton):</p>
<p>"LEAD selects promising 11th grade African American, Hispanic American, and Native American high school students to participate in comprehensive summer institutes at graduate business schools, then supports them through college and beyond by opening doors to internships and permanent jobs with LEAD corporate partners"</p>
<p>Wow that sounds amazing! but do you have to be Hispanic American? Because I'm 100% hispanic so would I qualify? and where could I find more information about this?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Yeah it's true that many universities promote academics and leadership, but not to the level that Harvard and Yale do.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That's such a bunch of bs. Generally, the academic quality at great schools is by and large the same. It doesnt take HY only to give you that.</p>
<p>"my dream universities are Yale and Harvard of course and it's not just the name but the fact that they put a lot of emphasis on the two things that I'm the most passionate about: leadership and academics."</p>
<p>what does that even mean? i'd suggest you round out your list with some match schools that fit your personality and put in some serious sat work to have a shot at even the "less selective" ivies. you have grades, extracurriculars, and a hook in your ethnicity. 3 of 4.</p>