<p>I want to apply to at least one ivy league, just so I know that I tried. I really don’t think I have a good chance right now (and I’m not being modest) and was wondering if I should even bother, especially since I’m doing the regular deadline.</p>
<p>weighted GPA: 4.52
SAT I: 2110 (700 reading, 700 writing, 710 math)
SAT II: Chemistry 760 Literature 740 Ecological Biology 690
My school doesn’t rank but I know I’m in the top 4% for sure (which gives me guaranteed admission into some UCs because I live in California)
took an intro to sociology class one summer at a community college and 2 semesters of calculus at another local college
last year I took AP Bio, AP Chem, and AP English (got 5s on all of them)
this year I’m taking AP Lit, AP Gov, AP Macroecon, AP Physics B, AP Art History</p>
<p>My ECs are very weak, especially seeing everyone else’s on here.
Founded the Philosophy Club sophomore year and president still (3 years)
Newspaper for 2 years, editor this year (there’s only one)
CSF all semesters
Physics/Chem Club 4 years and a couple of other random clubs not worth mentioning
Government Club secretary and publicity manager, except our advisor retired last year so the club did too. not sure if I should mention this
In the advanced media productions class</p>
<p>I wasn’t born in the US and still speak my native language. I also only took 2 years of a foreign language in high school. No sports, jobs, or any unique awards.</p>
<p>Will my application just get thrown out because I don’t have that many ECs? What are my chances?</p>
<p>Also, I’m generally not a very serious person and my sense of humor is probably the best thing about me - I think my teacher recommendation mention this (I’ve waived my right to read them) and I’m wondering if I should write my essays in a way that reflects this… or maybe I shouldn’t risk it?</p>
<p>I think you have a great shot. Just remember that the essays show who you really are. That’s where you should try to shine.</p>
<p>Be yourself in your essay and apply; it couldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>thanks 
It’s just very discouraging to see all of these people with amazing test scores and pages of extracurriculars. I wish I could sit down and just talk to the admissions officers instead of trying to explain myself on paper. The way they select people sometimes seems very shallow and impersonal</p>
<p>I don’t see why you shouldn’t apply. Your SATs are in range, your grades are fine. As for your ECs – what matters is not how many ECs you’ve done, but what you’ve done with your ECs. You can make the philosophy club and newspaper sound really boring and unimportant, or you can make them really interesting and impressive. Between your essays and the interview, you have the chance to explain yourself.</p>
<p>And there’s nothing wrong with touches of humor in an essay. Be down-to-earth and yourself – that’s more important than using six-syllable words and being pompous. </p>
<p>You’d be better off ignoring all the threads where people describe themselves – stop comparing yourself to anonymous people on the internet. I don’t want to make it sound like I’m giving you a good chance for acceptance (I don’t do chances), but I don’t like seeing someone put themself down.</p>
<p>Thank you, that’s very helpful.</p>
<p>I’m also wondering whether applying for the regular deadline significantly reduces my chances… how many of those do they accept vs. how many of early decision/early action?</p>
<p>The ED advantage is not as great as you think. Most athletic recruits apply ED, and their chance of acceptance is 100%. Take them out of the mix, and the ED acceptance rate is not that much higher than the RD rate.</p>
<p>Brown accepts about 550 students in the ED round, and the class size is about 1500. So about 1/3 of the class applied ED.</p>
<p>alright, that’s decent. I guess it’s worth a shot</p>