National Champ/Have #1 Best Sellers in China, but bad scores... chance?

<p>Hey everyone,</p>

<p>I've applied to some prestigious schools (Ivies and peers).</p>

<p>-I'm a 4-time National Champ and 15-time State Champ for chess. Been playing since age 5. Even got my expert title at age 13. </p>

<p>-I also write a bi-monthly column for a nationally-known chess magazine and I'm Pres/Cap/Coach of my high school's and a college's chess team (HS champs, college got #4 for my state: Georgia), also coached a few chess camps</p>

<p>-I also wrote two children books in China (basically teaching them English). Both of them debuted #1 Best sellers on Amazon and DangDang (China's largest online-bookseller). Over 40,000 reviews, 99% approval/recommended. </p>

<p>BUT my SAT/ACT are crap.</p>

<p>SAT: 2050, 710 math, 670 writ, 670 read.
ACT: 30, 33 math, 35 eng, 27 (28) read, 25 (27) sci. (28 for super-score)</p>

<p>School is a competitive public magnet
GPA is okay I guess 4.1wt/3.8unwt
Took hardest classes, 11 APs total
Rank top 10% /300+ kids
also a 3-time var athlete, but not going to college to play</p>

<p>and the rest of the usual community service/job/summer activities is the usual ivy-caliber, nothing special tho</p>

<p>Essays/Recs on point as well</p>

<p>I'm a white male, income ~130k</p>

<p>What do you think the chances are? Will those two show enough dedication/degree of success to even out my scores? Or is it mandatory to get at least a 2200/33?</p>

<p>TLDR: Can chess ( 4-nationals, 15 states titles) and books (2 #1 best sellers in China) push my bad scores enough to get into these schools?</p>

<p>Thanks for all the feedback/info!</p>

<p>I think seeing as your grades and test scores aren’t horrible, you have an average chance, given everything else… I honestly don’t know how much of an impact that would have on an admission decision… I’m sure it has to count for something (thats why I’m giving you an average chance and not below average) but how much, I really don’t have a clue. Best of luck, though!</p>

<p>Well, Ivies are definitely a crap-shoot. Can’t really say what to expect. Nationals/Best Sellers are a hook for sure, but the scores are sorta a counter-hook if you know what I mean. If the admins are feeling good, you’re in, if not… well then you’ll join the other 90%+ of the rejects =P</p>

<p>although the scores do set you back a bit, your extracurriculars make you a very good candidate.
there’s no guarantee though, every Ivy is a reach school but I think you can easily get into another top tier school
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1600344-chance-me-nyu-others-will-chance-back.html#post16789636[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1600344-chance-me-nyu-others-will-chance-back.html#post16789636&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>What major did you apply under? For the ivies I would say that the national chess titles and book publishing might subside the below average test scores so you’ll have the same shot as most candidates applying (those who have above average test scores and basic ECs). Really cool ECs though!!</p>

<p>I plan to major in business, either econ and/or finance and/or management. And thanks for all the feedback everyone! I’m super passionate about chess! And my books show how I like helping others/ like writing. I even offered to lead/become a teammate of the respective schools chess teams =P</p>

<p>hey are you 2200 chess rating+?</p>

<p>Well I was 2000 5 years ago… take a guess :P</p>

<p>Bump
10char</p>

<p>what’s your current ELO rating and what is your title? I cant chance you until I know what title you have dude.</p>

<p>and btw, for a chess player, your math scores arent stellar. I’m rated 1800 and my math scores are always in 99th percentile.</p>

<p>@Classof2018app Being good at chess doesn’t mean you’re good at math. I personally know a nationally ranked chess player in my HS and he’s only avg in academics i believe.</p>

<p>nationally rank is personally a lot of BS. to be nationally rank you onlyhave to be top 100. Im like 23 for my age. btw you wouldnt happen to be like gurevich or something?</p>

<p>but winning natl titles thats legit.</p>

<p>No I’m not gurevich, he’s not a high school senior but I’ve beat and drawn him a couple of times. Anyways, any others willing to chance me?</p>

<p>Wait you have beaten Mikhail Gurevich? are you a GM?</p>

<p>Btw, there is a strong correlation between chess and math, since both require a lot of logic. A strong chess player is usually a strong mathematician as well.</p>

<p>Nope lol not that gurevich. And nope not a gm</p>

<p>Ok, but since you got national titles, you’re legit. Sorry that I scrutinized a lot. It’s just because I’m a chess fan too :). You can probably kick my behind in chess though :D. You have a lot of hooks, so I think you have a good chance. The ivies like these sort of applicants. You’re probably a one in a million applicant (wrote books and follow chess like that). It all goes down to your essays and recommendations. Best of luck</p>

<p>Btw, check out Chessexplained on YT if you don’t have already. He’s a good player/commentator.</p>