Please chance me, not you're average applicant.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm currently a senior at a Connecticut High School and have just submitted most of my college applications, however I truly have no idea where I have a chance of being admitted. This is because the published stats of most schools are not an accurate indicator in my case, as I am not you're average applicant. Allow me to explain: Though I've continuously scored well on standardized tests (I have a 32 ACT, -- I know that isn't "The best", but it's not too shabby either! I'm also a National Merit Scholar Commended Student, and an AP scholar) but my GPA is mediocre at best (my unweighted GPA is a 3.3, my weighted is about a 4 out of 5).</p>

<p>As you can see, there is a discrepancy between the schools I should attend based on my ACT score and based on my GPA. On the bright-side, the reason I have a low GPA should aid my application to some degree: since sophomore year I have worked 32 hours/week every week, been a student representative to my towns board of education, been involved in and lead many of our schools clubs as well as student government, and volunteered around town during the little time I have left (every summer I help coach a special Olympics team, I also stack books in a bookstore two days a week when I'm not at my paid job). On top of that, I used the money I saved from working so frequently to self finance a trip I took last summer to India to volunteer in a state-run daycare for India's poorest children. I've pretty much dedicated myself to service throughout high school, and at the expense of my school work. I simply do not have the time to complete most homework. I have however been enrolled in many Honors and AP courses, and have no C's on my transcript (so academically I guess I could still be a lot worse off). Luckily people around town noticed the commitment, so my resume is not lacking in awards (one from the rotary club, another from the world affairs forum declaring me a future global leader, superintendents student of the month, etc..)</p>

<p>I believe I've formulated a strong application, with essays I've worked on for months about political activism Ive done in response to the shooting in Sandy Hook last December (I live very, very close to that school), letters of recommendation from teachers who know me very well, and a supplementary essay from my High School principal. Do you believe all of this is enough to overcome my GPA and garner admission to an Ivy league or near Ivy league institution? </p>

<p>Here are the schools I have/will be applying to: UCONN, UMASS, BU, Northeastern, Yale, Columbia, NYU, Fordham at Lincoln Center, UPENN, UChicago, Northwestern, George Washington, Georgetown, and Mcgill.</p>

<p>I dream of attending Yale; I had an interview with a senior who worked for the admissions department and I believe it went very well, and I applied SCEA. I am, however, aware that even if I had a 4.0 this still would be a hard school to get admitted to. The schools I see myself with more of a chance at gaining admission to are NYU and Mcgill, and I would equally love to attend either institution. What do you think? Where can I get in? Can I overcome my crap GPA with my EC's and strong application? Thanks, any response at all will be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post!</p>

2

<p>not your*</p>

<p>It’ll be tough to predict whether or not the top schools will put effort into finding out what your story is. You should feel comfortable about your chances at UConn, UMass, Fordham, and George Washington.</p>

3

<p>Darn, is there a way to edit the heading? I actually had the title set up so that “you’re” was grammatically correct at first but changed it on the fly and did not notice. I should also add that I am a white male who has lived in CT his entire life. Thanks for the reply jibler.</p>

4

<p>Truthfully, I agree that most schools won’t put the effort in as jibber said. And if they do, they may not think that leading a bunch of clubs justifies not doing your homework. You are clearly over stretched and while a paid job and some of your community service explain that, schools may well wonder why you didn’t drop a club or two or cut back on either the APs or the community service? How will you contribute to their campus? Will you show up for class? I’m not saying you won’t, I’m just saying that adcomms may well question. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try for your dream schools, just be aware. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>mfw not you’re</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the bump, but that issue has already been addressed. If you have anything to add in terms of my posts actual content then I’d be delighted to hear from you.</p>

7

<p>You will definitely get in to UConn, Fordham, George Washington, and UMass. Northeastern, NYU, McGill, Northwestern, and Chicago are most likely reaches, but you have a good shot of getting into one or two of them. The Ivy league schools should be considered reaches and your chances aren’t great, but you really never know.</p>