Just Another Chances Thread :P

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi!</p>

<p>I've been looking at colleges lately and, since you guys know so much about admissions and stuff, I was wondering if you could estimate my chances at a couple of the reach schools I'm looking into!</p>

<p>Caltech
Cornell
Dartmouth
Duke
Princeton
U Chicago</p>

<p>I'm a rising senior at a competitive private school in the Northeast. I'm a middle-class Caucasian male interested in studying math and economics (although I want to continue my piano study independently).</p>

<p>GPA: 3.7/4.0 weighted :/
SAT I: 2300 (CR: 750, M: 770, W: 780) considering taking the ACT, but I'm not certain...
SAT II: Math Lvl 2: 790, Literature: 750, Physics: 720
AP: Calc BC: 5, Calc AB: 5, US History: 4, Physics B: 3, Human Geography: 3</p>

<p>Awards:
I won't be specific for privacy reasons:
AP Scholar With Distinction
Bunch of Math Competition Awards
Bunch of victories in national and international piano competitions
Volunteer Service Award</p>

<p>ECs:
Classical Piano (I've performed quite a bit internationally; I also give private piano lessons (paid work) - this is probably my most important EC)
JSA
Math Team (Captain)
NHS
School Newspaper (Editor)
School Art Magazine (one of a few Editors)
Robotics Team (we're not very good, though :P)
a couple other things that I won't mention for privacy reasons...</p>

<p>Volunteer service:
250+ hours
I founded a volunteer group of musicians who give performances to hospitals, assisted living homes, etc. I run the group and perform in every show. We also do a lot of charity drives for local organizations!
I volunteered at a hospital last summer.</p>

<p>I can't think of anything else I should include...if you need anything else just let me know.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>What are your matches/safeties? While these schools are reaches, and are reachable, you still need a match or two as well as a safety or two.</p>

3

<p>You have a good chance at those schools, but you never know because that’s the way they are.</p>

4

<p>International pianist awards? That boosts the rest of your ECs. The only downfall is the GPA. What is your intended major? For a school like CalTech, I don’t see any resembling ECs or passions in high school.</p>

5

<p>@Catria
My safeties and matches are primarily state universities that my guidance counselor approved.</p>

6

<p>@smarty99
Yes, I realize my GPA is a bit on the low side :confused:
My intended major is Mathematics.</p>

<p>You raise a good point about ECs for Caltech. I guess my ECs/passions relevant for a math major at Caltech would be that I am Captain of my school’s Math Team and have won several math competition awards. Perhaps my work with the Robotics team is relevant as well?</p>

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<p>Thanks for the responses so far, guys (and girls)!</p>

<p>Anybody else?</p>