<p>Hello everyone! I would really appreciate if you help me with my reaches. I'm getting a bit confused with all the universities since there are so many and I can't seem to choose. I would really love to know your opinion.</p>
<p>Spanish Female from low-income family</p>
<p>Major: Science, possibly biology or neuroscience (Pre-med)</p>
<p>STATS:
GPA 3.73 unweighted, 4.2 weighted
SAT 2100
SAT II Chemistry 730, Biology 760, Spanish 800
AP Biology 5, Psychology 4, Art I 4, Art II 5 (also honors)</p>
<p>EXTRACURRICULAR:
Volleyball 4 years (captain)
Ice Hockey 2 years
Art club
Tutor (spanish, chemistry)
Babysitting (?)</p>
<p>AWARDS in chemistry, math, foreign language, art (winning art competition with gold medals 2 years in a row), National Art Honor Society, principal's honors list (9-12)</p>
<p>Not much community service to be honest though I've been volunteering now at a hospital as a patient representative in the ER for about 13 weeks and in Pediatrics for 6 weeks one day per week. Also a couple of months/weeks work experience shadowing doctors and surgeons (I'm planning to become a doctor) but I don't think that will make much of a difference? Not sure.</p>
<p>I'm from Boston, Mass. These are the schools I'm considering for reaches:
Brown -
NYU -
Dartmouth -
JHU -
Duke -
Northwestern -
WashU -
Vanderbilt -</p>
<p>Which one would you say it's the most realistic for me? I'm hoping for Brown, NYU and JHU. Help? I'm planning to ask for financial aid from all.</p>
<p>Because you’re a URM and because of your interest in science, I think any of those schools are at least somewhat realistic for you. Personally, I think you’d fit in really well at JHU.</p>
<p>Spanish from Spain Do you think I have a possible chance at Brown and NYU for premed? Would the shadowing and voluntary experience at hospitals help me?</p>
<p>What about the other universities? Or any other suggestions? </p>
<p>I have a strange but interesting story I believe. Basically, I graduated in 2010 but I didn’t enroll in college/uni because my family and I won the green card lottery and part of the process required us to leave the country, move back to Spain, as well as spend a substantial amount of money for the fees. So I had to postpone my dream of studying at a university for about 2 years. However, to show my commitment and mainly because I didn’t want colleges to base my application on grades that were 2 years old I self-studied for the two APs (bio and psychology), the 2 SAT IIs (bio and chemistry) and the SAT I. I shadowed many doctors and surgeons as well as volunteered at different departments at a hospital. My goal was to apply to colleges once my parents were financially stable. Meanwhile I tutored chemistry and spanish to help out. Now, that their financial state is better, I’m looking to apply to colleges. I’m going to explain this to the universities in my main essay.</p>
<p>You have a very interesting profile and are the type of candidate with strengths in unexpected places that some colleges like (ie art and science interests). Since you are from Spain, you probably will not get the URM bump, but I am not sure you need it for some of these schools given your background and demonstrated commitment to medicine over the last two years. </p>
<p>My guesses: Duke, JHU, Dartmouth, NW, Vandy = reaches (less than 20%); Brown = low reach 20 to 40%; think your interesting background and story will give you a real shot there); Wash U also a low reach; NYU = match.</p>
<p>Thank you so much muckdogs07. You have been very helpful! </p>
<p>I thought maybe I had a shot at JHU because of my interest and commitment in medicine, but I will definitely check out WashU! Also for safeties I was thinking of:
U. Pittsburgh (main campus)
Michigan State (if it’s not too late to apply)
U. Minnesota Twin Cities
Penn State
U. Wisconsin Madison
Villanova
Fordham</p>
<p>Some of these may be matches actually… Considering my intended major (premed), my background and need for financial aid. Which ones would you think are the best 2 or 3? I’d really appreciate the help!</p>
Do you think I have a possible chance at Brown and NYU for premed? Would the shadowing and voluntary experience at hospitals help me?</p>