More chance fodder; or, Will I make it into these (mostly) Big Ten schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>(I posted a similar thread on the Northwestern board.)</p>

<p>I'm an Illinois Caucasian male who's applying to five schools:<br>
Northwestern University
University of Illinois (U-C)
Washington University (St. Louis)
University of Michigan
Indiana University </p>

<p>Rank: 6/500 (weighted—and I have a huge upward trend; my initial freshman rank was 86…let’s just say my small k-8 parochial school didn’t prepare as well as I’d have liked)</p>

<p>ACT: 32 (sans preparation; I may retake—and prepare for—it and attempt to get a 33...would this increase my chances significantly?)</p>

<p>I'm also a National Merit Commended student, and I cited Northwestern and U of I as my two top-choice schools.</p>

<p>AP: World History (4), U.S. History (5); taking exams in English, Biology and Psychology this year</p>

<p>ECs: Symphony Band (the lower band)- 1 year
Wind Symphony (higher band—now first chair)- 3 years
Marching band- 3 years (section leader 2 years)
Orchestra- 2 years
Church orchestra- 6 years
District Honor Band
Made IMEA District 7 this year
NHS- 2 years
TDP- 4 years (I know—probably not worth mentioning)
This isn't really extracurricular, but I also give clarinet lessons to low-income students at a local middle school (not on a volunteer basis).</p>

<p>Obviously, the extracurriculars are mostly music related. I should point out that I am first chair clarinet in our Wind Symphony, which participated in the Bands of America concert band festival last year (only 16 or so bands in the country are admitted), and we’ve been to Superstate the past two years (I mention the band’s accomplishments only to underscore the competitiveness of the activity at the school). My band experience is similar to my GPA/rank story; I started out in our lowest band and progressed, through hard work, to the higher group—needless to say I’ll probably emphasize this in some essays). Hopefully my leadership roles in band and my strong commitment to it will shine through; I certainly do not have a laundry list of ECs!</p>

<p>RECs/ESSAY: I have two shining letters of recommendation and an excellent counselor rec. I'm working on all the essays now, and they should be quite good; writing is probably my strongest ability.</p>

<p>Thanks for any insight.</p>

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<p>Could I get a few responses to this thread?</p>

<p>Bump</p>

3

<p>Fifty-four views and still no response? It's disheartening when more recent threads have multiple responses.</p>

<p>Anyone? Don't let my paragraph on extracurriculars intimidate you.</p>

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<p>You're certainly in for all but NU and WashU, and those too are not far out of reach at all.</p>

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<p>^ Agree.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>I like your list too.</p>

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<p>I wouldn't bother trying to retake the ACT.</p>

<p>Work on your essays and let your music passion set you apart.</p>

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<p>So retaking the ACT (and getting a 33) would not significantly impact my chances? I think a 32 corresponds to a 2200 SAT, so that's probably sufficient.</p>

<p>I'm also considering applying to Cornell, sort of just for fun. I'm guessing my chances there are significantly lower than at the other schools I listed...</p>