my chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I’d like to know if you guys think I have a shot at Yale (SCEA), Amherst, Brown, BU, and NYU. Thanks!</p>

<p>-white female from MA
-ranked 2/400 in decent public high
-weighted GPA: 104 (my school does not convert it)</p>

<p>SAT: 800 critical reading, 700 math, 710 writing
SAT II: 780 U.S. History, 750 math I, 740 math II, 700 Spanish reading</p>

<p>AP’s: Eng Lang & Comp 5, U.S. History 5, Calc AB 4
This year I’m taking Eng Lit & Comp, Euro History, Calc BC</p>

<p>Honors:
-Member of National Honor Society (11, 12)
-Member of Spanish Honor Society (10, 11, 12)
-Dartmouth Book Award
-Excellence in Sophomore English Award
-Excellence in Junior English Award
-Excellence in Calculus Award
-Excellence in U.S. History Award</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
-guitar lessons (9, 10, 11, 12)
-cofounded tutor program at local middle school/volunteered with program (10, 11, 12)
-volunteered at local Literacy Center (9)
-helped found Amnesty/Environmental Clubs at my school (11, 12)
-member of math team (11, 12)
-volunteered as tutor over the summer for “Newcomer’s Club”- program to help improve fluency of ESL students
-taught religious education (11, 12)</p>

<p>As well as glowing recommendations.</p>

<p>Any input is welcome! Thanks you guys.</p>

2

<p>Oh, and I will graduate with an Honors Diploma, it's a new thing at my school (we're the second class to participate) and it distinguishes the top 10-15 kids or so.</p>

3

<p>I also wanted to add that since my school does block scheduling, it is nearly impossible for me to take more than 3 AP's a year because they take up 6/8 blocks of my schedule (and I have to fulfill other requirements to graduate).</p>

4

<p>anyone? please? =)</p>

5

<p>Hmm grades are excellent, but EC's seem lacking.
Yale-Reach
Amherst-not sure
Brown-Reach
BU, NYU- Low Match, BU probably safe</p>

<p>What is your intended major?</p>

6

<p>Yale (SCEA) - Reach
Amherst - Low reach
Brown - Low reach
BU - Low match/Safety
NYU - Low match/Safety</p>

<p>A few of comments:</p>

<p>Yale is a reach for everybody. Your stats are certainly strong enough for Yale, but you can say the same for most of the other 20,000 odd kids that will also be applying to Yale. The problem in a nutshell, then, is this. 20,000 kids with very good stats apply. Yale accepts about 10%. If you apply to Brown, you face the same problem except Brown accepts around 15%. The same problem holds to a somewhat lesser degree at Amherst. Now, I'm not saying don't apply. Your stats are more than good enough for all three schools. You just need to understand the odds.</p>

<p>If you're willing to go a bit further from home, you might want to consider UPenn and Cornell. You'd have a much better chance at both schools. Also, UPenn accepts a higher % of kids who apply ED than RD, and UPenn loves kids who graduate #1 or 2 in their class. In addition, you might want to consider schools like Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern, Wesleyan (in CT), Vassar, Tufts, Vanderbilt, and Emory. Finally, you may want to add a few schools on the Colgate - Brandeis - William and Mary level to your list. Theses are good schools that most likely would accept you.</p>

7

<p>I agree, but I think BU and NYU are complete safeties for you, you would certainly get scholarships and get into their honors programs.
your awards.. are they all within your school or are any state/national</p>

8

<p>Stop. Using. B. U. As. A. Safety.</p>

9

<p>Why, BU is a safety for her as is NYU if it's not Stern or Tish. I don't see Yale, good scores because of the 800 CR, but math and writing are weak for a Yale admit as are ECs. Brown and Amherst could happen with great recs and essays. But I have never seen any with NYU and Amherst on their college list. Have you thought through what you want in a college.</p>

10

<p>Because people who use a school like BU as a safety are douchebags. Use UMass or something as a safety....</p>

11

<p>I'm also applying to UMASS- Amherst.
And the awards are in my school, they're given to the top kid/kids in each subject (so the top 1-3 kids or so out of 400)-- I know it's not that impressive, but I figure it's worth putting.</p>

<p>I was considering taking the SAT's again (I only took them once), but I have extreme test anxiety (who doesn't?). I really don't want to put myself through that. Do you think it'd make a big difference? Does my 740 and 750 in math (I only took two because the Honor Program at my school requires 4 SAT II's) somehow compensate for my 700?</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch guys, I really appreciate it.</p>

12

<p>Oh, and I want to major in English (how startlingly original, I know), I'm going to go on to get my Ph.D. (hopefully) and become an English professor. At least that's the plan.</p>

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<p>Sorry to keep adding things, but my main problem is figuring out what I want in a college. I've tried to narrow it down by size, but I can't seem to. I've visited all of the colleges (except BU, which I am visiting tomorrow), so I am basing my judgments on the individual colleges. I think that both small and large colleges have a lot to offer me. Something I'm very attracted to is the open curriculum (hence Amherst and Brown-- that's really the reason Amherst is on my list if that clarifies anything).
Any advice you have is also great.
Thanks again.</p>

14

<p>The 740 and 750 are average at best for a top college. You need some realistic reaches, especially being from MA. What about Vandy, Northwestern, UVA?</p>

15

<p>jpod, where do u go to college?</p>

16

<p>Christine,</p>

<p>I concur with others that your SAT scores and EC's are not standout by comparison to many applicants applying to Yale, Amherst and Brown. That said, you have good enough academic measures to contend -- and perhaps successfully. To an extent, other factors such as your essays and interviews may have some bearing. </p>

<p>Given your academic interests, and your apparent desire to stay close to home, have you looked at Wesleyan University in CT? I think it's worth some exploration for your intended major. Good luck!</p>