My view on this whole "chance" thing

<p>As I look at it, the majority of people who want to be "chanced" have more or less the same grades, standardized test scores, ECs, classes, etc. And, for the majority of us, we are all applying to relatively the same colleges. My only stint with this is, "How do we stand out from each other?"</p>

<p>If I were a admissions officer looking at these outstanding applications, I would want to see a (for a lack of a better term) "defining characteristic" or something of that sort. Something that makes you stand out among the rest of us. Like your "thing".</p>

<p>I may be naiive, since i barely know anything about that person from looking at a few words and numbers or if I'm not reading these too deeply, but if it was possible, for future "chances" could people put up where their interests lie (in detail), and what kind of person they are. I mean, words and numbers won't sell me, I'd like to see like their true character.</p>

<p>But, who am I to request these things anyway?
I'm just throwing out some ideas, after reading a lot of these chance things, and coming to the conclusion that most of them look exactly the same (no offense), I wanted to see something different.</p>

<p>Hopefully some of you agree with me.</p>

<p>I guess you're right; posting chance threads is like applying without essays, letters of recommendation from teachers or GCs, or a school report -- it's not read in context. For the most part, those of us who post chance threads just want to see if we have shots based on numbers; after all, there's so much emphasis these days on GPA, ACTs, SATs, AP scores, IB scores, and quantitative aspects that we forget about work experience, ECs, and the qualitative aspects. I guess some background would be more useful in these threads, but ultimately we have to accept the fact that the vast majority of us on CC are not adcoms, so we shouldn't let people deter us from applying just because they don't think our performance is up to par. Again, in admissions, everything is read in context, and stats-based chance threads aren't really great measures.</p>

<p>We all have the same EDs. The catch is that we need to get something out of them besides "I appreciate poor people from Honduras. I like diversity."</p>

<p>Yeah I'm wondering about this too.
Everyone seems to have high test scores and GPAs and people are saying 'match' and 'reach' and all that; so do places, such as UC's, see GPA and test scores as more important than ECs, Essays, and all that other stuff?
I'm just wondering because I posted and got matches for UCB/UCLA which made me relieved, but why would...</p>

<p>actually what the heck does match mean anyways? that you're in for sure or have good enough stats to get in but can still be rejected?</p>

<p>Safety means you're in for sure, but match is when you "have good enough stats to get in but can still be rejected."</p>

<p>Rejected. JK. :P</p>

<p>I believe that the chances thread is an easy way to see where you stand based on scores and what you can improve to strengthen your chance in getting in.</p>

<p>Actually, you're not "in for sure" at a safety school... but there is a good chance that you will be accepted.</p>

<p>I think people only do this to calm their anxiety. It means nothing.</p>

<p>^ yeah, basically...</p>

<p>I just wanna say that I am not at all like most people here on CC! I'm not an overachiever, I'm not a genius. My GPA and test scores are fine, not great. I have pretty good EC's but not amazing. The school I most want to go to is Temple, not an Ivy...But I do agree that most are the same.</p>

<p>i agree with the OP!</p>

<p>i like the idea of having chance threads put into context of who we are</p>

<p>You like big words, I take it?</p>

<p>Yes. I'm glad someone knows what my name means.</p>

<p>Comeon this is college confidential, everyone knows what your name means.</p>