Please Please Chance Me!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello! I'm a junior in WI and was wondering how realistic it will be for me to get into the schools I'm interested in applying to. Thanks so much for your help!</p>

<p>Schools:</p>

<h1>1- Brown University</h1>

<p>Northwestern University
Wesleyan University
Swarthmore College
Amherst College
Yale University
Columbia University
UChicago
Tufts University
Brandeis University
Carleton College
Washington University in St. Louis
Bowdoin College
University of Wisconsin-Madison Honors Program (match?)
College of the Holy Cross (match?)
Fordham University (match?)
Beloit College (safety?)</p>

<p>STATS:
GPA= 3.96 UW
SAT I= 800 Math, 630 Writing, 580 Reading (first time, shooting for 2200+ next time)
Class Rank= Top 10% (I'm guessing by the time I graduate)
Course Rigor= Most rigorous (toughest in my grade)
Past AP's= Human Geography 5, World History 3, Biology (credit through local college)
Current AP's= Calculus BC (this year), US History (self study this year), Psychology (self study this year), Environmental Science (self study this year), Macro- and Micro- Economics (possible self studies this year)</p>

<p>EC's
1) Will be 4X letter winner (12 total letters) in Cross Country, Wrestling, and Track & Field when I graduate
2) I also compete in road races for cycling from late Spring until the end of summer and am involved with my state's ODP soccer team.
3) 8 drama productions by the time I graduate (so far no lead roles, but major supporting roles)
4) Life Scout (hopefully Eagle by the end of the summer)
5) Concert Band/Jazz Band/Marching Band/Pep Band for school
6) Advanced Choir Group and Vocal Jazz Group for school, sang in all-conference choir
7) Math Team- Captain</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER/WORK EXPERIENCE:
1) Volunteered past few summers for local library's kids summer reading program (not too many hours, but good experience)
2) Other assorted volunteer for local organic farm, Salvation Army, Adopt-A-Highway, Haiti Mission Group, etc. (nothing overly time consuming)
3) Worked for local paper in middle school (wrote articles)
4) Other assorted jobs (nothing major)</p>

<p>INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT ME:
1) I also formed a polka band at my school (I play accordion) and I believe that we are one of just a few high schools in the state to boast a polka band. We made it to State last year.
2) I'm a vegan if that counts for anything. Although my school doesn't have a debate team, I love to research ethical/political controversies and take a side.
3) Our school district created a new grading system that focused just on testing and led to a decrease in student's overall learning. I was part of a group of students at my school that researched this new grading system and held meetings to inform parents about this system (as they weren't informed properly by the district). We presented at school board meetings and have met with the administration. Overall, I've put more than 100 hours into this so far. Other schools in our area are considering this system, so we will likely present our information to those districts too, so they know the possible consequences of this grading system.
4) I love sports journalism. I have written sports articles on the internet that have gotten 2,000+ reads.</p>

<p>When I actually apply, I won't apply to every single one of these schools. I will try to narrow it down to 10-12 schools.</p>

<p>What do you think would be my safeties? Also, what do you think my chances are for the most selective schools on my list? Also, anything in my EC's/Interesting Info that makes me stand out? Possible essay topic?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it! :)</p>

2

<p>You really need to increase your SAT score.</p>

3

<p>^i agree- everything else looks good, so just focus on bringing up your standardized tests (i don’t know how much weight they put on AP grades, but while the one 3 probably won’t hurt you try to get 5’s on your AP exams this year). many of the colleges on your lists are low reaches mainly since they’re just so competitive, but you definitely have a chance. out of the slightly less selective ones i don’t know a lot of them well, but you’re at least a match for carleton and WUSTL’s probably a mid to high match. so you’re in a good place right now, just work on your scores. good luck!! :)</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the responses! I know I have to improve my SAT scores in order to get into the reaches on my list. Could someone please do a reach/match/safety for all of these schools? Thanks so much!</p>

5

<p>I say based on your extracurriculars and GPA, you are in a good shape. I would say you have a decent chance in all the non-Ivies, and for the Ivies, they’re always unpredictable. Since admissions for the Ivies would be competitive (with lots of people having excellent grades/extracurriculars), I would say the only way you could grab they’re attention is through writing an excellent application essay (which I assume you did already?) </p>

<p>One thing I would work on is improving your SAT scores, especially the critical reading. Try working on one passage a day and you will improve by tons. (I personally prepped for the CR section for one week by doing craploads of practice tests and my CR score went up by a 100 points in 5 days lol)</p>

6

<p>mitul63- Thanks for sharing your opinion! I haven’t written my application essays yet since I’m a junior, but I think I’ll be able to write good essays. I have to focus on getting 5’s on my AP exams and getting my Critical Reading and Writing scores both above 700.</p>

<p>Any other thoughts?</p>

7

<p>Do you think I have a decent shot at Brown? Obviously, it’s probably a reach, but do I have a chance?</p>