Math Dilemma at McGill

Colleges and Universities A-Z McGill University
1

<p>Hey guys, I hope you'll view this as a less conventional chances thread. You see, I've had this math dilemma throughout high school which I have found to lower my chances of getting into my dream schools severely. </p>

<p>A brief profile: Junior, Asian, Male, NY
Intended Major: International Relations, economics concentration
I want to apply to Arts as my first choice, and Management or Science as my second.
GPA is a 4.13 out of 5 (5 = H = 1st place in an honors class, 4.3 = A+, 4 = A, 3.7 = A-, 3.3 = B+, etc.)
So it's essentially an A
I've taken all all honors and AP's with the exception of Freshmen year art, Sophomore year Film, and Junior Year Latin. I've taken a total of 4 AP's: APUSH, AP Eng Lang, World History, and Physics B. </p>

<p>SATs: 800 Wr, 800 Cr, 690 Mth ----- retaking to get a better math score, I know I can at least break 700 (reasoning is that I really need to shake off my image of incompetence in math).
II's: 770 World, 770 US, 700 Bio Molecular, 640 IIC (!!!!!)</p>

<p>ECs/Awards:
President of Junior Statesmen of America (passion in politics), regional assisstant director of debate
President of Model UN (I'm extremely passionate about this activity as well as IR, and will probably write my common-app essay for fav activity on it). CMUNCE 2005 Best Position Paper Award, UNAR 2005 Outstanding Delegate
Weekly School Newspaper (one of few in the nation) - Junior year News Editor, Senior Year Opinion Editorial Editor
Mock Trial - Attorney
Amnesty International - Treasurer (Free Tibet! :-) )
Filmmaking
National Honor Society member (this is really pointless at my school - basically you're recruited if you have above a 3.5 (Approximately a B+/A- range) GPA, but the NHS leaders are pretentious Bahstahhhhds (coincidentally, the initials of my high school are NHS - Niskayuna High School).
National Merit Semifinalist
Reel Teens Film Festival 2004 Finalist
National Latin Exam Gold, Silver
National French Exam regional placed 11th, placed 15th in 2005
French Department Honors certificate
NCTE Writing Competition nominee (awaiting results).</p>

<p>Okay, here's my dilemma: I've demonstrated through both grades and SAT scores to have poor math skills. Now, I know being an IR intended major sort of mitigates the amount of damage that does, but I don't want colleges thinking I'm incompetent in quantitative reasoning. Furthermore, I'm Asian. I kinda just wanna know what my chances are like (I'm not so confident anymore, given my math weakness), based on your own personal experiences or speculations. Here's a breakdown of my math grades:
Freshmen year Geometry Honors - A
Sophomore Year Trigonometry/Algebra II Honors - B
Junior Year Precalculus Honors - B-
Senior Year AB Calc (I intend to work my ass off to salvage any mathematics dignity I have for at least the first semester) </p>

<p>Do I have a shot?</p>

2

<p>Hey there.</p>

<p>I would say you have a great chance, but I don't know much about the Faculty of Art.</p>

<p>I was admitted to the Faculty of Science this year. My scores were:
SAT: 780 Math
620 English</p>

<p>SAT II:
750 Chem
670 Math IIC
560 Writing(Stupid essays, I can't write quickly)</p>

<p>ACT: 31</p>

<p>GPA Junior Year roughly 3.5
Senior Year 3.75</p>

<p>I would also like to say that I got a 670 on the 2C and I'm in BC Calc. Go Me. Heh.</p>

<p>Also, extracurriculars don't factor into the admission process, at McGill at least.</p>

<p>Anyway, I think that you have an amazing chance at getting in over all.
I wish you luck next year in the admission process.</p>

<p>If only I had known I would go to McGill, I wouldn't have bothered with the other apps. McGill was the easiest one. Such is life.</p>

3

<p>first of all, I hate you, because youre from Niskayuna, and if you don't know what i mean, think lacrosse (im from a little town called duxbury, and we love our lacrosse here). :D</p>

<p>you certainly have a shot. I got into arts&science with
4.4w
1460/760/690/630</p>

<p>again, ec's dont count, unless you're looking for a major scholarship (which I did not receive, though my ec's are extremely standout).</p>

<p>I was rejected from three ivy schools, so if you're trying to get into those (I'll just maybe assume that you would want to), it will be a little more iffy (then again, it's iffy for everyone). But as for mcgill, you've got a good base youre standing on.</p>

4

<p>yea i think you need to calm down, im not going to lie. your math isnt bad. i got into arts, and heres what i got:</p>

<p>1460
sat II: us - 780, writing - 750, french - 690. </p>

<p>i was in honors (as opposed to AP) math for 3 years in high school, and this hasnt affected me. a 640 (or whatever it was) does not make you incompetent in math, i promise. if you are really set on boosting your score, just practice. The first time I took the SAT I got a 650 in math, and just by taking multiple practice exams I raised it to 700. I realize there is a new SAT, but it should be similar. </p>

<p>Your numbers are good, so just chill out and relax. You'll be fine.</p>

5

<p>I agree. Besides, if McGill doesn't want you I'm sure an even better school who does take EC's into account will. Math is important though, especially for economics. Make sure that you do the best that you can in calculus. You should try and get a good foundation so that when they teach you stuff in economics, you'll pick it up right away. the math for economics is harder than regular business, so keep that in mind. I know it's kind of weird, but I guess they do a lot of analytical analysis in economics or something. I don't know about american students, but a lot of programs want calculus from Canadian students.</p>

6

<p>Last time i checked, you can't major in international relations at Mcgill, only minor (correct me if i'm wrong).</p>

7

<p>IDS is a major- which is closest to international relations</p>