My Chances of Getting in?

<p>I’m a white male applying to the class of 2013 from NJ
SAT: 750- math, 640-CR, 710- Writing
SAT II: 690- math 2, 590- lit
APs: 5 on stat, taking 5 this year
Courseload: all honors over first 3 years
GPA: 3.9/4
Rank: top 10% of around 200
EC: All county runner for 4 years all 3 seasons, Student Council member, Spanish Honor Society, NHS.</p>

<p>Oh i forgot.... I'm also the cross country team captain and my sister graduated in 2008 from BC</p>

<p>You look good to me, but BC has become increasingly selective, especially for kids in the NE as they are trying to get more geographic diversity. A good indicator is who has been accepted in the last 3 years from your school. One young man we know was rejected only from BC and his test scores were higher, GPA and course load not as good as yours, coming from a school that gets lots of BC applicants. I was shocked when the high school considered BC a reach for him, but they were right. He was turned down, but got into Colgate and Holy Cross.</p>

<p>Dear eagle 2009 : Most every student that applies to Boston College is a member of their National Honor Society. (Just about have to be in order to hit the top 10% criteria that BC is seeking.) One question that should be asked is what did you do with your NHS membership? Did you just attend a "meaningless" candle ceremony in Junior year or did you actual have some volunteer efforts (service credits) tied to NHS. Sports are present although somewhat narrow in scope - twelve seasons of cross-country. Stats alone place you at a 2100 for the SAT three-way although your SAT IIs are just average to be honest. Any music or interest in the arts to show some diversity?</p>

<p>You have posted nothing here that happens outside of school whether that be clubs, volunteering, or even a job. So, while you are over the midpoint, you do not paint a picture in your posting that you will add something to the campus.</p>

<p>Let me challenge you in a very different way : if you independently read the seven lines you posted as a profile, would you want to get to know that person? I am not sure that many people would say a definitive yes. The answer would be "sure, OK", not an emphatic "yes". For that reason, I think your acceptance chances are around the 60% mark. Good luck.</p>

<p>Ha, ha, Scott, neither my son nor several I know who were accepted to BC were honor society members. However, they did have pretty high SATs. The young man who was denied this year was not either, but it did still get him into some nice schools. Funny, because I know several kids denied at HC and Colgate who were accepted to BC. Seems like males have a bit of an easier time getting into BC. The ones who did get in this year all had mid 1400s out of 1600 on the SATs except for the athletes. Don't think any of them were that outstanding in terms of profile. I know a lot of very interesting profiles who did NOT get into BC even with great transcripts and good but under 1400 SATs.</p>

<p>I have had a summer job every summer after 8th grade (4 years now).... Also I tutor students after school for an hour 2 or 3 days a week for NHS.... would either of those make a difference</p>

<p>Dear eagle2009 : It all matters - include everything that you do to give back to your community, your family, and yourself.</p>

<p>White male, Northern NJ, applying EA
SAT: 750- math
710- writing
640- Critical Reading (i hope it got up to around 680+ from yesterday's test)
SAT IIs: 690- math 2
590- Literature (s**t....)
GPA: 3.9/4
Rank: top 10% of around 200
School: very competitive public school with average of 3 Ivy League attenders each year
ECs:
-4 year varsity cross country (coaches award recipient, captain senior year, all county, all league)
- 4 year winter track (3 varsity)
- 3 year spring track (2 varsity, all league 1)
- 1 year JV golf
- Madden Video Club Member
- 3 year Student Council member
Honors:
-Principal's Award Winner
- AP Stat Award Winner
- 2nd place school-wide AMC 12 competition
-Spanish Honor Society Member
- NHS member
- 2 time Scholar Athlete Award Winner (highest GPA of 2 sport athlete for whole school year)
Courseload:
5 honors freshman/sophomore year
5 honors/ 1 AP (5 on stat test) junior year
5 APs Senior year (Calculus BC, Physics C, Euro, English Lit, Spanish 5)
Work:
Held summer job for every summer since after 8th grade (4 years)
Hook:
Sister graduated in May 2008
Recommendations:
Very good (spanish teacher also friend of head of spanish dept. at BC)
Service:
Tutor students 3 days a week for NHS
Community Service student for Athletic Director (however, I receive credit for it)</p>

<p>Scott, can you give me an updated % chance of getting in??</p>

<p>Dear eagle2009 : In the first review, we rated you at 60% chance of admission. Seriously, what has been added? Principal's Award, One year of JV Golf, Scholar Athlete Award, Summer Job, and Tutoring. What should we rate you now, 65%. The sister "hook" is interesting, not because she is family, but because you should know a great deal about BC, much moreso than many interesting freshmen. What do you know about the school that gives you an advantage in your essays? A special meal at Lower with your sister, the experience of seeing commencement in late May, the Christmas Tree on campus, having a coffee in McElroy, the "mods" ... what did you learn from your sister that set you apart?</p>

<p>Dear Scott:
Thanks for your advice. I admire the fact that you are brutally honest with me... I have one final question... Would you say it would be advantageous to write of an experience at BC with my sister rather than using my regular (not related to BC) common app essay</p>

<p>Dear eagle2009 : Since I have not seen either essay (or potential essay), it is hard to say which one is the "right one". This is where admissions staff will often tell you to write from your gut; don't pose or posture in your essay - be honest and write about what feels right to you. That is the only measuring stick I can offer you. What is your passion - something special about BC that is truly unique (not just posing) or your common application essay? Where does an admissions officer learn more about "eagle2009"? Only you can make that call.</p>