New To Forum. Chances At Yale, Columbia, Brown...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm new to these forums, thought I would try a chances post</p>

<p>So far my college list includes
Yale (SCEA), Columbia, Brown, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Cal, UCLA, USC</p>

<p>I pretty much am assured at UCLA and USC since I have I have parents that are faculty at these schools (no cost either). My two top choices are definitely Yale and Columbia. After that, I might just end up going to USC.</p>

<p>Prospective majors are film studies or literature, maybe do pre-med on the side</p>

<p>So here goes</p>

<p>Asian Male, CA, Private Prep School</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>SAT: 2300 (770/770/760), one time
SAT II: 800 Math 2, predicting 750+ on US History and Chemistry
APs: 5 on AP World History, 4 more this year (predicting all 4s and 5s)
GPA: 3.97 UW. One B+, some A-s. Toughest courseload</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>Narrative and Documentary Filmmaking (Directing, writing, acting) 9-12
- This is my biggest EC, a lot of time and commitment
- Have done well in a number of competitions.
- Might send in a sample to the schools that accept them</p>

<p>The Independent Film Collective (Founder, President)
- High School Club focused on American indie cinema</p>

<p>Soccer (2 year JV, 2 year varsity)
- Top-ranked nationwide team
- Has done very well at CIF and state levels</p>

<p>Lacrosse (3 year varsity)</p>

<p>Boy Scouts (Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader)
- Eagle Scout</p>

<p>Research Internships at a national medical center (2 summers)</p>

<p>Other random stuff...nothing too big.</p>

<p>Awards
Various regional, national, international film festivals
eg. Official Selection at the International Student Film Festival
Best Documentary at the Los Angeles Film Festival</p>

<p>Eagle Scout
World Conservation Award (in boy scouts)
CSF, NHS, etc</p>

<p>I think I will end up focusing a lot of my app on my filmmaking. That is what my college counselor has told me to do. I've taken 2 community college courses on film history and theory (As on both). I'm also doing an Independent Project next year for school on film criticism.</p>

<p>One suggestion my college counselor gave me is to send a documentary I made on HIV/AIDS awareness. It's solid, professional stuff. Not very creative, but very solid. She says it will help connect the film and science aspects of my college app. Any suggestions on this?</p>

2

<p>I think it's very cool that you're a filmmaker. An Asian filmmaker at that, which I'm willing to bet money they don't see much of. You have great scores and probably an above-average chance at the ivies. (But I'm also class of 08 so... not exactly the voice of experience here)</p>

3

<p>In fact, we're all supposed to be blood enemies. Hooray!</p>

<p>Pretty awesome ECs. What was your film about? </p>

<p>And I hate to ask, but can you give me some tips on how to make a zombie horror movie? My friends are about to start filming it with me behind the camera (we all have zero clue as to how we're going to actually do this), and I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be blamed if it turns out horrible (expected).</p>

4

<p>High school film really comes down to one thing and that is the script. Get an idea organized and everything will go smoothly. The thing about the horror movie is you really need good lighting and good sound. Flashlights and a DV camera wont turn out anything good ;)</p>

5

<p>bump....anyone?</p>

6

<p>ahhh good chance at all...but then again, a lot of really well-qualified kids from my school didn't get into the ivies or top private schools this year. it's all touch and go, honestly.</p>

<p>apparently stanford rejected half of the kids who sent in perfect SAT scores, so you never know.</p>

<p>good luck though...i think you have a really unique resume, which is what you want to go for! and staying at the UC's isn't that bad :)</p>

7

<p>Sorry, but even with parents on faculty, you arent guaranteed squat. I know plenty of kids with parents who are faculty who were rejected early decision from Ivies. Also, for a film major at USC and UCLA, you'd have less of a chance as these are two of the best and most prestigious film schools.</p>

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<p>UCLA film major is not selected until the junior year so I will be applying in the general pool. And I will not be applying to the USC School of Cinematic Arts, I'm sticking with the general pool there as well.</p>

<p>Ivies might be a different story, but I am positive I have a secured spot at either of those two schools. There has been open communication about it.</p>

9

<p>i think u have pretty good chances. i also do a lot of work in film...</p>

<p>definitely try and focus on that "passion" in ur app. take a look at chapman as a "safety"</p>

10

<p>A Chance, But Guaranteed For No One: HYPS, Columbia
A Slightly Better Chance, But I Wouldn't Put Money On It: Brown</p>

<p>Accepted at the others.</p>

11

<p>Hmm, what should I do to try and improve my chances at my reach schools then? Any suggestions?</p>

12

<p>I would say the best thing you can do is to continue your involvement in film competitions, keep up your research internship next summer, and also try and find work/internships in the film industry</p>

<p>i think that your grades and sats are going to be very commonplace at the places you are applying so you need your ECs to stand out</p>

13

<p>Aside from the California schools, you're practically like the other applicants. write stellar essay's, get strong teacher recommendations, and possibly some community service.</p>

14

<p>miragemage, i don't agree</p>

<p>I have friends and classmates who work in Harvard admissions. From what I can see, this applicant is exactly the kind that impress admissions officers.</p>

<p>International/national participation in a select (and generally very uncommon) EC. He has also founded a club based on this and has taken courses at a local CC.</p>

<p>Not only that, he is an Eagle Scout (don't fail to stress this, it can be seen as the holy grail of volunteer work and leadership especially by conservative admins), has played 2 varsity sports, and has done science research. He also seems to have a very good college counselor, which is actually amazingly important in the process.</p>

<p>I think that his grades and SAT scores are competetive, but his ECs and level of achievement in them will get him into at least a couple of his reach schools.</p>

<p>BTW, definitely consider Harvard, our VES major seems really good for you. Recent grads include Darren Aronofsky, who I'm sure you know.</p>

15

<p>haha no g8 sn, you just brightened my day!</p>