<p>Hi, I'm a current junior at a semi-competitive high school in the Orange County. It's pretty much the ghetto where I live. I was just wondering if i can get some help in determining my chances. Here are my stats.</p>
<p>Public school
Rank: 10/700 im in the 0.01% of the class
Weighted Gpa: 4.73
Unweighted gpa: 3.96
UC gpa: 4.5
SAT I new: 2150 (700 W, 700 CR, 750 M)
SAT IIs:
Math IIC - 750, World History - 720 Bio - 710</p>
<p>ECs:
Because my family income is just barely $9,000, i am unable to pretty much do any extracurriculars becuz my mom only makes $700 a month and my dad is an unemployed war veteran. With the rent and all the basic necessity, there's just not much for me to do anything that costs money. Sorry if my ecs are very little.
Math club - (9-11) FREE
Spanish club - (10-11) Free
CSF club (9-11)
Journalist for School paper - (10-11)
2000 hours of community service at local hospital
I'm a fast runner at my school, but unfortunately, i dont have the $500 to sign up for the team =/
During the summer of my sophomore year, my cousin was murdered and his body was threw into the ocean, therefore I worked to get a couple hundred dollars to contribute for his funeral costs
Because of my income, I pretty much can't do much since most of the competitions and such things at my school are all about money.
The schools I'm wondering about:</p>
<p>I'm not sure if i can get a free ride to these schools? I guess if i cant, then i might as well go to a community college. Well thanks for taking your time to read my post. Please leave me any comments. I appreciate it. Thank you so MUCH..</p>
<p>Wow.. I thought I had it hard. Your grades are very good as well as your test scores... you are definately headed to somewhere better than community college. Colleges will definately see that you worked hard, you will definately get accepted somewhere decent. The schools you listed may be reaches, but you definately have a shot at good schools. Better than me, and my parents make 70k a year. Good luck man</p>
<p>If the schools dare claim to give need-based financial aid in any way shape or form (as a junior just now doing the research) you would probably get as much as you needed from any place that accepts you...</p>
<p>By the way, that's top 1.5%, not .01%, but overall, your chances look quite good :D Of course with the top notch schools that you plan on applying for, much of the time, it's just luck whether you get in or not, but I'd say you have as good a chance as anyone.</p>
<p>It might be hard to get a full ride to those schools--though your Expected Family Contribution will be quite low, so a free ride may be possible with those schools that A) admit on a need-blind basis and B) guarantee to meet your demonstrated financial need. I am pretty sure HYP do both A and B; I don't know about the others.</p>
<p>However, you might want to consider other colleges--not necessarily because you won't get in or because you won't get enough money, but simply because most of the people that attend these schools have higher incomes than you. It's obviously completely your own decision, and certainly depends entirely on you, but would you be uncomfortable going to college with people who are used to spending lots of money at the drop of a hat? (I'm not trying to single you out--in fact this is a consideration of mine as well.) Also, because of this, I predict these colleges often require extra materials or things like this that cost extra money--and because most people there can pay for them, it's not a big concern.</p>
<p>I think you should take a look at some small liberal arts schools, particularly in the midwest, where cost of living is lower and things of this sort. There is a whole spectrum of colleges between HYPSM and community college! Take a look at Macalaster, Kenyon, Grinnell, Knox, Carleton, Bates, Bard, etc. ... colleges of this sort are still nationally renowned and VERY good colleges, but less expensive overall, and it will probably be more feasible for you financially.</p>
<p>I'm a junior as well, but considering I'm in a college search process right now I might be able to help just a bit.</p>
<p>First of all, you got good credentials, and an even better explanation to everything you are lacking. I think that if you write a killer essay, you will be able to get into something. You should also definitely get an interview with whatever college you're going to apply to, because that will give you a chance to clarify everything for the colleges.
An important point to remember is that if you got the bases covered (in terms of grades/sat, etc), it is purely luck that will get you into a college. If that particular college thinks you are going to fit in well there, and if they need someone like you at the moment, then you are in. If not, than no matter how utterly brilliant you are.</p>
<p>I totally agree with what was said about applying to other schools. The world is not black and white, and there are other places between the ivys and the community colleges. Some of them can in fact provide you with a better education than the schools you listed in certain areas of study.
Btw, have you considered applying to Cooper Union (from the fact that you mentioned MIT I've surmised that you are at least somewhat interested in science, sorry if I was wrong)? It's an excellent and highly competitive school. While I don't know the chances of you gettin in, if you do get in the college covers your tuition completely. I also just recently heard about abother science-oriented college that does that (Olyn, I think, although I don't remember the name for sure). It has just been founded recently, and therefore should be easier to get into. It's an excellent school nonetheless.
If you are not going into science I unfortunately don't know what to recommend you. I am having similar problems myself at the moment. If I come up with something in my search I'll let you know.
I hope this helped at least a bit.</p>
<p>ur chances are solid. SO SOLID, Harvard and whatever schools you like is like a shoe-in. you took care of business in your family, while maintaining almost God-like grades and scores. I have never seen such hardship and succeed. God bless you and your achievements</p>
<p>Also, many of the schools you're applying to try to meet 100% of the demonstrated need of their applicants.. so I don't think you should take Cooper Union over say, MIT if you were to get in--you might end up needing to take some loans, but with the great job I'm sure you'll get graduating from either school, it shouldn't be too much of a problem..</p>
<p>wow, you know that sounds like an idealistic application, i dont know bout Yale but 4 sure ur gettin into Stanford and UC Berk Have u ever heard of an accedmic scholarship i think u would be suitable for it .... DAM man, wat do want to do after u finish college</p>
<p>I think the typical excuse for a low income kid for not having ECs is because they have worked many hours to help support their family. A letter of rec from any employer saying you worked like a dog 20 hours/wk all through high school would be impressive.</p>
<p>There are many, many free ECs. Also, if you go to school in a ghetto, how do the other kids afford the activities and why would they charge for so many?</p>
<p>Are you a URM? A lot of the interest in low income is to attract URMs. If you're white or Asian, you'll still need an extremely strong application.</p>
<p>So add some safeties and don't tell a sob story about not being able to afford the track team. It just won't wash. There are tons of kids out there who found sponsors and did what it took to accomplish their dreams.</p>
<p>i think ur family circumstances will definitely help u in ur college admissions. colleges will realize that u have tried and persevered despite the many hindrances and turbulences in ur life. Ur stats are amazing!!! Is there anything u can do in the community: join a local sports team, local newspaper, etc.? I don't think u need money for those. Ur school is weird; if students want to pursue their interests, why add to the burden with fees??? Besides, u will shine in whatever u do and wherever u go so they should just show a little love!!!</p>
<p>Just a note that Kenyon was the third most expensive college in the US last year, due to it's small endowment. By all means look into it (they also can give excellent financial aid) but don't expect it to be cheap.</p>
<p>You're ECs and scores are impressive, and you have a good shot, however you never know. If you don't get into your top choices, don't just head to community college- there are thousands of schools, not just the bottom few and the top few. No matter what there will be an excellent education waiting for you, with financial aid to boot. Definitely check out some LACs or less competitive state schools. And make sure your safeties are schools you'd be happy at, not just a random crappy school that's guarenteed to let you in!</p>
<p>zxchen06-Is there anything u can do in the community: join a local sports team, local newspaper, etc.? I don't think u need money for those. Ur school is weird; if students want to pursue their interests, why add to the burden with fees???
In my community, theres not a local sports team. Theres basically not much. Theres a local newspaper but I'm afraid it's written in chinese or vietnamese. Yes i guess my school is weird in a way. Everything costs.</p>
<p>I think the typical excuse for a low income kid for not having ECs is because they have worked many hours to help support their family. A letter of rec from any employer saying you worked like a dog 20 hours/wk all through high school would be impressive.
Yes, I have worked for my family, but because I worked for cash, the hours does not go on my record. My employer does not know English well though, being he is an immigrant himself.
So add some safeties and don't tell a sob story about not being able to afford the track team. It just won't wash. There are tons of kids out there who found sponsors and did what it took to accomplish their dreams.
I understand your point Zagat but however, there really isnt a sponsor around my area. In fact, there's nothing I can do. Its either you have the money or u dont, simple as that.</p>
<p>CC freshmen-DAM man, wat do want to do after u finish college
Since I'm asian, my parents are always telling me to enter the field of medicine, engineering, or law. I just really need to get a college education, join the work world and make some money to buy my parents their first house. Therefore, i intend to acquire a bachelor of arts at some prestigious school and thus, worked my way into a good law school. Perhaps 3 years in law school and I guess that would be what i would want to be. An attorney for my parents to be proud of me. The medical and engineering field I have considered, but I'm not a huge fan of math and science</p>
<p>rExRuN467 ur chances are solid. SO SOLID, Harvard and whatever schools you like is like a shoe-in. you took care of business in your family, while maintaining almost God-like grades and scores. I have never seen such hardship and succeed. God bless you and your achievements
Thanks a lot rexrun. Coming from you who got accepted to all these prestigious schools and being an immigrant yourself, it really meant a lot. Thank you.
Um, can someone please explain to me the whole deal of EA OR ED? I dont get what it means though. But my counselor said i get to have three free choices of my college, because ill get a fee waiver and i get to select three schools. Please Explain. Thank you so much! YOU guys are a big HELP!</p>
<p>justanothernerd, I didn't mean to be harsh but I think you need to understand that colleges are looking for you to have a "can do" attitude. Successful people overcome their circumstances as best they can and jump through hoops to make things happen. So the kid who is able to say that he wrote 50 letters seeking $ 500 to pursue his dream will be seen as a kid who is going places. The one who laments his plight and claims to have few ECs because of money will not be seen as a go getter.</p>
<p>You will be competing with many Asian immigrants at top colleges who despite low incomes have amazing activities and achievements. You need to adjust how you see your situation. Trust me, a low income Asian is nothing unusual at ivies and they have stellar grades, scores and activities.</p>
<p>Zagat, might I just ask what you overcame in your life to be able to say with such confidence that circumstances can always be overcome? Not to be nosy, but... well, you sure got the point by now</p>
<p>justanothernerd, btw, if you are going to go into, say, medicine or law, your bachelor's is not going to matter that much. I know a lot of people who went to mediocre colleges on purpose, although they got into better ones, because those colleges covered their tuition completely,and you are going to need all the money you can get to get through law school, or anything of a sort. Now those people are enrolled in good medical schools, despite their first colleges.
I also know people who go to a community college for couple of years and then transfer to a good school. That way you get the diploma of the latter without spending so much money. So just in case you don't get completely paid for (which I really see no reason for), you can consider that option.</p>
<p>Ara, I, too, emerged from the ghetto. I came from a dirt poor family with 6 kids. We all worked at least 20 hours per week during high school to help support a family with a disabled father and a low paid immigrant mother. I'm not suggesting anything I didn't do to work my way into a top college. For "free" I was editor of my school newspaper and often published in our local newspaper. I played on two varsity teams. I volunteered at the local elementary school exensively and was given a key to the city for my efforts. Our state senator wrote me a rec after getting to know me through the efforts I made to change things in my area.</p>
<p>The other kids of my background I met at a top college and a top business school also did not let lack of money deter them from achieving exceptional things. Schools are looking for this tenacity.</p>
<p>you're scores are good but they're not godlike like people claim. BUt good rank; you're genuinely a smart kid, except for the 0.01% rank thing, that was pretty odd.</p>
<p>people, he did 2000 HOURS of community service!! What else does he need as an eca? He took advantage of the opportunities available to him and colleges will definitely notice that.</p>
<p>2000 hours is almost a year full time. Certainly this would be a record on the part of a student. I would have the head of the hospital write an appropriate testamonial. The only thing is, how did he do this and work to support his family at the same time?</p>