JHU Chances (ED)

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>(Please if you can, let me know if JHU is a reach or not. My GPA is low, but my SAT and ACT aren't. I also have accomplished music and math EC's, as well as a sport and martial arts. Overall, let me know if JHU is a reach, potential match, waitlist, defer, etc., as well as giving me a short review if possible. Thank youuuuuuuuuu ^_^)</p>

<p>When Applying: ED
Background: African American (Ethiopian Parentage/Family), NY, Public School
Predicted UW GPA: 3.3, WGPA: 3.5
SAT: 2210 (800 Math, 700 CR, 710 Writing)
ACT: Predicted 32+
SAT II's: 800 Math IIC, 750 Chemistry
AP's: Calculus BC, Computer Science, Literature, Biology</p>

<p>Course Work:
Fresh: No APs UnwGPA: 3.3
Soph: No APs UnwGPA: 3.1
Junior: No Aps UnwGPA: 3.2
Senior: 5 APs and an estimated 3.8 UW for the first semester</p>

<p>Community College: 8.0 credits
College Physics: A
PreCalculus: A</p>

<p>Awards:
-Principal Trumpet in Concert/Jazz Band (2 years, very big, competitive bands)
-Principal Baritone Horn in Pep Band
-Honorable Mention (2 years), Honor Roll (1 year)</p>

<p>EC's:
Concert Band/Jazz Band, 4 years
Orchestra Pit for School Musical (played among hired professionals)
Pep Band, 2 years
Shaolin Kung Fu, 2 years
Math Team (Team A for 3 years)
Tubachristmas 2 years (Non-profit tuba concert <a href="http://www.tubachristmas.com/1989NYC.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.tubachristmas.com/1989NYC.jpg&lt;/a&gt;)
Ultimate Frisbee Club, 2 years: President/Founder
Varsity Tennis, 2 years
90+ Hours of Community Service at elderly hospital/nursing home
30+ Hours of Volunteer Lab Assistance for Neurologist research on strokes</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Tutor at Kumon Learning Center - 85+ Hours</p>

<p>Letters of Recommendation: 1 from my music teacher, who has a Ph.D. He likes me both as a person and a student. 1 from the head science teacher, who really likes my dedication and motivation, and also thinks I am incredibly bright.</p>

<p>Essay: First off, it won't be a boring essay at all. I plan on writing on a positive epiphany that I had, which sparked my interest in neuroscience. I will include the passion that I've gained working with a neurologist over the course of a month, as well as what intrigues me most about it. Overall, my essay will be about my interest in neuroscience, which is a mix between my unique philosophies on life (people are awed by my deep thinking when I talk about my thoughts) as well as the excitement and passion I have gained through reading novels by neuroscientists, such as Steven Rose.</p>

<p>Desired Major: Neuroscience</p>

<p>Please Evaluate honestly (be deadly harsh if necessary)</p>

2

<p>I'd say its a reach
Youve got a shot though
Maybe a semi-reach</p>

3

<p>You are counting on your SATs and college courses saving you since your first three years of grades aren't so hot (3.2 UW)--and you took no APs at all up to this point (meaning your W GPA is also 3.2).</p>

<p>Also, I'm curious how you expect to get a 3.8 UW in the first semester of next year while taking 5 APs when you were 3.2 up until now taking no APs.</p>

<p>Look, you have fantastic ECs and SATs, but your GPA and lack of tough courses are killers--meaning you are at best a slight reach to reach for John Hopkins (about a 30% chance, tops). Here are two other options:</p>

<p>(1) You could apply to the UCs (University of California campuses) from OOS (out of state) based upon your SAT scores only (don't even send your grades) but include all of your ECs and extracurricular activities. You would have a good shot at someplace like UCD, UCSB, UCI or possibly even UCSD with those test scores and ECs and being a URM.</p>

<p>Here's the links you need to apply to these schools based on test results only:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/exam_eligibility.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/exam_eligibility.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Note that you are not allowed to take the SAT II test in Physics for applying to the UCs since you have already taken that as a college course.</p>

<p>(2) Your other choice is to go to a community college or a lower rated college for one year and then apply to JHU. If you can get good grades in that first year, then your SATs and other ECs can be included, and JHU is a possiblity.</p>

4

<p>First off, the reason my GPA seems so low is because of my school's stupid system. My UW GPA is a 92, but it gets down to 3.2.</p>

<p>4.0 = 98
3.8 = 97
3.0 = 88
2.0 = 65-70
1.0 = 0-50</p>

<p>Secondly, my GPA can be/is weighted. I took two honors courses, English and Math since 9th grade. However, for Math it wasn't the AP class, so it was basically normal math, except the material was sped through.</p>

<p>Since 9th grade, I had not applied myself. After having an epiphany around March, which I know is way too late, I decided to change my path. It's been a month and I have been getting perfect scores flat in every subject since I began developing proper study habits. I plan on self studying a lot from now till September, bit by bit, to get ahead of the game for my senior year.</p>

<p>I've already self studied Physics and AP Computer Science (Level A), covering the entire curriculum within spring break. It's not as if I'm going to goof off like I've done since 9th grade. I'm sure I'm either getting a 3.8 or higher my senior year, regardless of how difficult the courses are.</p>

<p>I don't want any other college chances or any thoughts on what I should add to my list. Like it says in the title, I just want to know my chances for JHU, I already know what other colleges I'm applying to.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, I thank the two of you, Calcruzer and COlsen, for replying. I especially thank Calcruzer for his honesty.</p>

5

<p>(sorry for double posting, but just wanted to bring up another thing)</p>

<p>I only want JHU chances, as a first choice, ED school.</p>

<p>Is there a student from JHU who thinks I could get in? I know the chances of a JHU student looking at this thread are slim, but it wouldn't hurt to ask.</p>

6

<p>I would say you have really great chance. Apply for some "safer matches" though.</p>

7

<p>Thanks, datadriven. I have about three safeties, five matches, and two reach schools that I am applying to if I get rejected or deferred from JHU ED admission.</p>

8

<p>bump O____O</p>

9

<p>if you have a 92+ unweighted, I'd say you have a shot</p>

<p>applying early is a generous boost, along with urm status and pretty sweet SAT scores - but don't count on it b/c I know very qualified students who didn't get into JHU, but I'd say you have a pretty good shot</p>

<p>good luck!</p>

10

<p>Thanks comet88. I really appreciate the feedback ^_^.</p>

<p>The qualified students you mentioned, were they URMs by any chance?</p>