Please chance for RD

Colleges and Universities A-Z Oberlin College
1

<p>So I'm a senior applying to Oberlin c/o 2019 RD.
Indian [Asian] Male. Not applying for financial aid.</p>

<p>US Citizen applying from India (I grew up with my grandparents, parents live in Texas).</p>

<p>GPA: No GPA
IB Points: 41 / 42 (All A's/7s and 1 B/6 in Chem)
Predicted a 43/45.</p>

<p>Class Rank : Top 5%</p>

<p>Subjects: IB History, IB Biology, IB Chemistry HL
IB English Literature, IB Math, IB Spanish SL</p>

<p>9th/10th grade - IGCSE syllabus
9A*'s out of 9 possible. National Topper in Drama</p>

<p>AP Scores: Psychology - 5 (Self-Studied- School offers only IB)</p>

<p>SAT: 2300 - CR = 740, M = 760, W = 800
SAT II: Bio M = 780, Chem = 800</p>

<p>-National Merit Semifinalist (PSAT = 227)</p>

<p>ECs:
-Eagle Scout
-Conducted a project in rural Andhra Pradesh, India to teach hygiene/health to village children
-Shadowed neurosurgeons in 9th grade. Watched surgeries, consultations, went on ICU rounds in Indian hospital
-Worked in American Hospital in 10th grade summer. Paid work.</p>

<p>-Paid internship at Seton Hall Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology in 11th grade as a part of the NIDA Summer Internship program. Worked on research (behavioral sensitization with methamphetamine in HIV transgenic rats).
Recommendation from employer (influential scientist).</p>

<p>-Theatre - I love performing. School production (Much Ado About Nothing).
-Drama Club
-MUN --> Have attended 8-9 conferences. Won awards and have chaired a committee twice.
-Senior Basketball team 4 years. Lots of awards in the city circuit.</p>

<p>Awards:
-Presidential Gold Award for Service
-US Congressional Silver Medal
-IGCSE Distinction Certificate
-National Merit Semifinalist</p>

<p>-Over 500 hours community service to Habitat for Humanity/Scouting projects.</p>

<p>Essays: Pretty different. Common app was about zen buddhism.</p>

<p>Recs: English Lit Teacher and Bio Teacher. Lit teacher one will be good the other is probably 'meh'.
Counselor Rec: Really good. I'm positive about this one. We're good friends.</p>

<p>Looking to study psychology and philosophy.</p>

<p>***One thing though, I do have a disciplinary record. Suspension (short one). Counselor says she is in full support of me and her rec is very positive. So is my lit teacher. I have admitted it and explained on the common app.</p>

<p>How do you think this will all play out? Will the suspension really kill my chances?
Thanks in advance for any insight. </p>

2

<p>I think you have a strong record and should be able to get in. If the suspension is on your record, then an explanation from your counselor should be included. You do not want a situation where you hide it, and the admissions office finds out about it. They would probably deny you admission. </p>

3

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>My school says its policy is to write “no response” officially but I have admitted it myself on the common app by answering “yes”. My explanation essay is about what I learned. Which is a LOT.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, my counselor rec includes that although a big blunder, has not fazed me as a student or as a person and that the college should not judge my character based on that. My counselor and I are on pretty good terms.</p>

<p>I know that admissions are holistic but also that Oberlin is very competitive.
Peer pressure can make you commit to some bad decisions but I accept responsibility for my actions.
I just hope that the adcoms appreciate the candor of my essay and my admittance of the hard truths I learned.</p>

4

<p>I think they realize that everyone makes mistakes, especially young people, and if you are frank and apologetic about it, they should not count it against you. I assume your transgression was non-violent in nature, or, at worst, might have been a brief, physical confrontation with another student. </p>

5

<p>Yeah it was non-violent - no bullying, hazing or anything. Nobody was harmed at all. Not academic dishonesty either.
It was pretty stupid on my end but it is a typical “young person” mistake. I am very sorry about it though. </p>

<p>Anyway, thanks again mate!</p>

6

<p>I think you have a great chance given your stats and IB classes, not to mention the Eagle Scout Award. Actually, with those scores I think this is a low match. I would definately be adding a couple more selective LACs (maybe the 15-25%) as your reach choices.</p>

7

<p>Thanks a lot for the chance! I’ve added some other schools to my list.
However I think I’m going to make Oberlin ED II. I’m really liking the place.</p>