Just another angsty senior wondering if she'll get into college

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey, so I applied to UChicago, Columbia, Brown, JHU, Wash U, Emory, NYU, Wesleyan, Oberlin, Brandeis, Union College and Tulane. I’m planning on majoring in creative writing (at least that’s what I put on applications). Could you chance me? Thanks in advance!

Race: Caucasian
Gender: Female
ACT: 35 cumulative, 36E, 34M, 33R, 35S, 9W
SAT II: 790 chem, 780 math II
GPA: 3.7 unweighted & 4.3 weighted.
Overall mostly As with one or two B+s/ Bs. Grades dropped end of junior year (two B- ) & beginning of senior year (3 Cs) because of extenuating circumstances (explain later)
HS: Rigorous public school for first 3 years (it’s extremely rare for people to take APs before junior year or more than 3 per year because of the amount of work in honors and regular classes) Transferred to small prep school senior year

Freshman year:
Honors: English, Biology, Physical Science, Chinese
Regular: History, Geometry, Creative Writing

Sophomore year:
Honors: English, Chemistry, Algebra II, Chinese, Creative Writing, Science Research (had to apply for, 3 year class where students find a mentor and conduct an independent research project, get college credit)
Regular: History

Junior year:
AP: English Lang (4), Chemistry (4)
Honors: Precalculus, Chinese, Science Research
Regular: History, Business (couldn’t take creative writing because school required this)

Senior year:
AP: Biology, AB Calculus, English Lit
Honors: Physics (new school doesn’t offer Chinese or Science Research)
Regular: (none of these classes offered at honors level) Psychology, Jazz Ensemble, Show Choir, Jazz theory/ composition Independent Study

Awards/ honors:
Honor roll- highest honors 9-11th grade
National creative writing publication
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards– 3 silver keys & 3 honorable mentions
Attended Iowa Young Writers’ Studio

Activities:
Music (submitted portfolios for piano & composition)
Piano– 10 years, performed in concerts at Steinway Hall and National Opera Center
Composition– 10 years (on and off) wrote pieces for school chamber ensemble and choir
Choir– 10 years (on and off) group won superior awards at competitions and performed at Carnegie Hall
Tennis– JV 9-11, captain 11, varsity singles 12. Also competed for USTA local team and played in tournaments (didn’t win thought lol)
JV track 9&10
Literary magazine 9-12 (would be editor this year but switched schools)
Musical 12
Member of Key Club 9-11
Volunteered as assistant coach for kids’ tennis 9

Reasonably strong personal essay & supplements. Also had a research plan from SR class at old school but no actual data due to transfer.

In the additional information section, I included details about why my grades dropped (bullying/ medical leave at end of junior year, then had to switch schools one month before senior year began which caused a lot of stress & upset) (also mentioned ADD which was undiagnosed until junior year)

Wow OK sorry that was so long. For those who read everything, thank you so much for your time XD

2

I think you have a good shot at several and a decent shot at all. My D had similar grades but somewhat lower ACT and she got into Oberlin ED. She is also going to major in creative writing and has won Scholastic awards and done summer programs so I think you’re well prepared. I think Oberlin, Emory and JHU sound like good fits for you.

Do all of those schools have creative writing as a major? I haven’t known several to be mentioned as top for writing so I’m curious.

The thing that will make it harder is being a Caucasian female - just a large group so make sure you show interest at places that care. Good luck!

3

On that list, in my opinion, there is a place for you. Not to worry. Depends on “fit” with your area of study, so difficult to say.

I think you have a reasonable shot at all of them. But it will come down to which school “claims you” as their tribe:)

4

Thank you for your responses!! :slight_smile: @LMC9902 Most of the schools have creative writing as a major, if not then as a concentration in the English major.

5

I agree with the others that you are competitive but who knows if you’ll get offers from the tippy top ones. One component you didn’t mention is how much demonstrated interest you showed, especially for WUStL and Wesleyan. Another relevant data point is whether your prep school has an established track record with these schools. Maybe you’ll get a likely letter or two so the wait will not be so long? Good luck!

6

Good point @Oregon2016 I’ve visited the first five I mentioned, went to information sessions for most of them at my school and gotten interviews from JHU, UChicago, WUStL, Wesleyan, Oberlin & Brandeis. So I’d say I’ve demonstrated some interest. I don’t know about my school’s track record… my guidance councilor seems to have good connections but you never know.