Not top 10% barely? Chance a worried senior?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Let me start off by saying I knew I was borderline top 10% but thought that I would get it, unfortunately this was not so. I am still very close to top 10% but I am extremely worried at looking at the top 10% accepted numbers at schools I was considering applying to that I now have no chance at acceptance.</p>

<p>Bio:
White Male
Income bracket >100 K (will not be applying for financial aid)
State: MD
Major: Economics/Business</p>

<p>Stats:
UW GPA: 3.76 (4.0 Junior Year)
UW Rank: 32/302
W GPA: 4.3 (4.6 Junior Year)
W Rank 32/302</p>

<p>I’m not sure if it will make any difference but over the course of my Freshman/Sophomore year two of my grandparents became extremely sick and then during my sophomore year three of my grandparents died one unexpectedly. This will be noted in the counselor’s recommendation. </p>

<p>SAT: 2080 (retaking in October, expect 1500/1600, 2200/2400)
CR: 730
M: 690
W: 660</p>

<p>ACT: 31 Composite (will be retaking in October)</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular:</p>

<p>Head Basketball Varsity Manager:
Grades: 10 11 12
Large responsibility/time commitment, I am responsible for helping with practices, Filming games, keep official book for games etc. This is often as much as 20 hours a week during the season. Along with this I also help run a basketball summer camp run by the school/coaches/players.</p>

<p>Co-founded a tutoring service for middle school students:
Grades: 11, 12
Helps match high school tutors with middle school students who are struggling. We have created a website and are rapidly expanding; I have spent approximately 75 hours volunteering.</p>

<p>It’s Academic/Quiz bowl
9,10,11,12
Captain/President: 11, 12.</p>

<p>TARS/Teenage republicans (possible leadership this year)
Grades: 11, 12</p>

<p>Political volunteering on several campaigns
Helped organize events for campaigns, as well as door knocking, literature drops, phone banking for the campaign. Approx: 50-75 hours</p>

<p>The schools I was planning on applying to in order of preference were:
1. UPenn CAS ED
2. Dartmouth
3. Columbia
4. Northwestern
5. Uchicago
6. University of Maryland College Park(Legacy)
7. University of Virginia
8. University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
9. NYU-Stern
10. Indiana University- Kelley school of Business</p>

<p>I am concerned after seeing the top 10% numbers from some of the schools especially Upenn which states 99% of incoming class is top 10%. So in short do I have a chance at some of those top schools or should I focus on some of the more mid-range schools?</p>

<p>Thank you for your chances</p>

2

<p>No to all Ivies, maybe to NW, NYU, Chapel Hill, Chicago and UVA, and yes to Maryland, absolutely yes to Indiana.</p>

3

<p>Your concern is warranted. While you have a safety, which is the only thing essential, you have many reaches, some unrealistic.</p>

<p>Penn takes about 2% who were not in the top 10%. Pretty good guess that 2% falls into three categories: impact athlete, wealthy development case, high scoring minority.</p>

<p>Dartmouth? Even if we forget about rank, scores would probably make it impossible. They will probably take under 10% this year and median scores will be over 2200 and most unhooked accepted will have been Val or sal.</p>

<p>Columbia? They already take under 10%, enough said.</p>

<p>Then come some realistic reaches. Realistic as in you have a shot but should not be surprised if you don’t get in.</p>

<p>So do you love Kelley and Maryland? Can you afford them? If yes to both your list is fine. If not, you need more matches and safety schools.</p>

4

<p>Alright Penn pretty much is my dream school and seemed to be somewhat attainable as it is not as competitive as dartmouth/columbia. </p>

<p>I’d add that my other safety is Clemson University.</p>

<p>Do you think i could consider UMCP a safety or is it just a high match for me?</p>

5

<p>I will only chance the schools that I am familiar with so I dont seem like an idiot : )</p>

<p>UPenn CAS ED: Reach (High Reach for RD)-- Isn’t UPenn Business only offered in Wharton(?)
Dartmouth: High Reach
Columbia: High Reach
Northwestern: Reach/Low Reach
UChicago: Reach
University of Virginia: Low Reach/High Match
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: Low Reach/High Match
NYU-Stern: Low Reach/High Match</p>

<p>I think that your GPA and SAT score may hurt you somewhat, and while you have many strong ECs, they don’t really support your interest in business. However, concerning your question about the 10% ranking, in my opinion I don’t think its too much of a disadvantage simply because 1) many schools dont even rank 2) they will definitely take your transcript based more on the context of your course load and grades rather than a rank</p>

<p>Overall, I think that if you write strong essays, you should be a good candidate to all the schools on your list. Nevertheless, you should consider applying to more safeties and match schools as the previous poster suggested. Some of the schools on your list do seem a little unreasonable in hindsight considering an average applicant with your numbers. </p>

<p>Chance me back? : )
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1004303-chance-me-chocolate-chip-cookie.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1004303-chance-me-chocolate-chip-cookie.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>I realize i have no chance at wharton and Penn’s Econ program is amazing so College of Arts and sciences would be great. I think i agree with yourself and the previous poster that Dartmouth/Columbia may just be unattainable, so i will concentrate on the Upenn App. I think that within the counselor’s recommendation when they talk about why my grades dipped, should help. I received a 4.0 junior year and should be on track to do the same this year with the possible exception of AP chem.</p>

7

<p>Focus on 4 down. GPA and SATs are low for the Ivies.</p>

8

<p>I’m not going to chance you as I’m not an admissions counselor at any of those schools, but here’s some advice for NYU Stern: I was told by an athletic coach that most admitted students have 700+ math SATs, and the admissions process is largely numbers driven, so study hard for the math portion of the SAT.</p>

9

<p>What SAT do you think i would need for a realistic >5% chance at Upenn? 2200,2250?,2300?. i’ve been scoring around the 2220 range.</p>

10

<p>Your GPA is enough to gain admission UPenn, and since you can not really change your GPA in your senior year, theres really no point in asking. You definitely have >5% chance for Penn, and 2300+ SAT would probably put you at around 50% for Penn – assuming the other parts of your application are decent. UPenn ED has around a 30% acceptance rate according to their website.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>Chance me back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1004303-chance-me-chocolate-chip-cookie.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1004303-chance-me-chocolate-chip-cookie.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>Any more opinions?</p>

12

<ol>
<li>UPenn CAS ED</li>
<li>Dartmouth</li>
<li>Columbia</li>
<li>Northwestern</li>
<li>Uchicago</li>
<li>University of Maryland College Park(Legacy)</li>
<li>University of Virginia</li>
<li>University of North Carolina Chapel Hill</li>
<li>NYU-Stern</li>
<li>Indiana University- Kelley school of Business
I think you always have a chance. An admission counselor at yale told me that most students don’t even report class rank. So, apply to Penn, don’t believe that you will definitely get in but know that you have more than a 0% chance. I believe that your EC’S are so interesting, Penn may overlook your barely top 10 %. Maybe in January or April, you will be one of those people with an acceptance letter in your hand. Go for it. ( with a grain of salt though)</li>
</ol>

<p>chance me back at college apps are a calculation</p>

13

<p>Sorry, but I have to concur with Redroses. No part of your application is up to par with the competitiveness of the Ivy League. Northwestern and the University of Chicago will be stretching it. </p>

<p>At the same time, I am sorry to hear the loss of your grandparents. I can understand its impact: my grandfather passed away my sophomore year, but I can only say that it made me work harder because of what he had sacrificed for me. While it is a shock to have three pass away within one year, I think colleges may be incredulous if you suggest the impact was so significant over a two year span that it helped demolish your rank (from possibly being in the top 5% or certainly within 10%). But once again, I empathize with your loss.</p>

14

<p>What do you rhino would make you among the 2% Penn takes who were not top 10%? you are not being realistic. It would take a major hook.</p>