Questions about Brown (and maybe chances?)

<p>So I visited Brown today, and I have a couple of questions. I enjoyed my visit A LOT and it has been the best college I’ve visited so far on my tour of New England and the Ivies. Of course, I have my doubts about chances and getting in and such. So I have a couple of questions…</p>

<ol>
<li>The obligatory “What are my chances?”</li>
<li>Should I go with only my 2 800s for SAT II, or should I just submit all 3?</li>
<li>What can I do to increase my chances of admission?</li>
<li>Should I go ACT or SAT? I had a bad testing morning for the SAT and my retake will probably increase. Also, my ACT essay kind of sucks. However, the composite for the ACT is clearly higher. </li>
</ol>

<p>I’m a 16 year old Indian male from Illinois (skipped a grade). I go to a completely new school that opened my freshman year. I’m currently a senior</p>

<p>I can speak English, Telugu, a tiny bit of Hindi, and i’m getting closer to becoming fluent in Chinese. </p>

<p>The majors that i’m most intrested in are Astrophysics, Physics, and Chemistry. Also, I would like to minor in Chinese. </p>

<p>These are my stats.
ACT: 35 Composite, 35 English, 36 Math, 33 Reading, 35 Science, 33 English w/ Writing (got a 10 on writing).
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Chemistry, 780 Physics
PSAT: 221 (80 CR, 72 M, 69 W) (probably national merit in our state)
SAT I: 2240 combined, 700 CR, 750 M, 790 W (E: 10). (I will probably be retaking in October of senior year, just for kicks)</p>

<p>Classwork:
Freshman Year:
AP Computer Science: A/A (4)
Honors Algebra 2/Trig: A/A
Honors Biology: B/B
Chinese I: A/B
Honors English I: A/B
AP Human Geography: A/A (5)
Gym: A/A</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
Gym/Health: A/A
Honors Chemistry: A/A
Honors Precalculus: A/A
Chinese II: A/A
AP Euro: A/A (5)
Honors English II: B/A
Honors Physics: A/A</p>

<p>Junior Year (all AP scores pending…can’t wait for July):
AP Calculus BC: A/A
AP Physics C: A/A
Gym: A/A
AP US History: A/A
AP Chemistry: A/A
AP Language and Composition: A/A
Chinese III: A/A</p>

<p>Senior Courseload:
AP Biology, Calculus III (Multivariable Calc, in conjunction with the University of Illinois), AP Literature and Composition, AP Government, Honors Chinese IV, Gym, TA to AP Physics C</p>

<p>GPA: 4.571 (w), 3.857 (uw).
However, i’ve heard that some schools do not factor in freshman year GPA. In that case, 4.679 (w), 3.964 (uw)</p>

<p>Class Rank: My school does not provide class rank anymore, but I’m in at least the top 5% of a 650+ student body. </p>

<p>APs: Freshie year: Computer Science, 4. Human Geography, 5.
Sohpomore year: AP Euro, 5. </p>

<p>Junior year: Physics C: Mechanics, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Chemistry, Language and Composition, US History, Calculus BC. </p>

<p>Senior Year: US Government and Politics, Comparitive Government and Politics, Literature and Composition, Biology, and probably Art History (self taught) and Psych (self taught). </p>

<p>Volunteering: Volunteered with an FEA tutoring station at my school, along with feed my starving children…probably 40 hours or less in total. I don’t exactly record hours I volunteer for, I just kind of do it for fun?</p>

<p>JOB: So I recently got a job writing quizbowl/academic competition questions for National Academic Quiz Tournaments, LLC. Incidentally, Ken Jennings writes some questions here too. It has been really great so far. It’s awesome to know that the questions I’m writing are played on by people of all ages all across the nation, and are helping me improve at the same time :)</p>

<p>ECs:
Peer Mentoring: I help incoming freshman trying to adjust to high school by providing assistance and advice. I’m starting this next year.</p>

<p>Fermilab Science Scholar: I was awarded this jointly by our school’s Science department and Fermilab in Junior year.</p>

<p>Chinese Honors Society: Junior and Senior year, I tutored lower-level Chinese students and made videos to encourage kids to take high school Chinese.</p>

<p>US National Chemistry Olympiad (USNCO) Finalist: I made nationals for USNCO in Junior Year. Over 10,000 took regionals, and I was one of the 900 who made Nationals. </p>

<p>QuarkNet: We work with Fermilab on experiments that utilize Cosmic Ray detectors in different scenarios. We built the detectors ourselves. We also occasionally go to Quarknet Masterclasses at Fermi.</p>

<p>Asian American Club: We do lots of different projects and generally embrace Asian culture, with heavy focus on Chinese culture. </p>

<p>Woldwide Youth in Science and Engineering: I’m on the WYSE Team for Physics and Chemistry.</p>

<p>Math Team - Leader for 2 years. I have a lot of scattered achievements for this, but the biggest one so far has been helping to lead the ENTIRE team to qualify for state in junior year (for the first time in our school’s short history).</p>

<p>Science Olympiad - Leader for 2 years. Main event is Astronomy. I also partake in technical problem solving, protein modeling, optics, fermi questions, and much more to come next year! As a new captain last year, I brought our team from an abysmal 15th place finish to 6th at regionals (WE WON A PLAQUE!!) to clinch a spot at state over our crosstown rivals. We went on to finish 5th at State. </p>

<p>Scholastic/Quiz bowl - Varsity player 3 years. Captaincy next year. Started off as a reserve JV player, worked my way up with lots of studying and the like. I have attended a couple of camps for the purpose of increasing my quizbowl knowledge; I have improved a lot. I have a ton of awards for quizbowl, ranging from 1-10th place finishes at tournaments to being the reigning conference champions with an undefeated last season.</p>

<p>Tennis - JV player for 1, probably 3 years. Made the team freshman year. I pretty much view tennis as a fun sport, and i’m definitly not extremely serious about it. I have gone to a lot of clinics and coaches to improve my skills, though. I have 1 JV letter. </p>

<p>Religious Group - I am Hindu, and have helped form a group from the ground up. Since then, we’ve had 3 public concerts, with attendance ranging from 50-400 people. We have performed at the Chicago Telugu Association, in front of famous actors from India. At that same performance, we earned a cameo on an international television channel (TV9 in India) that was broadcasting the CTA performances. </p>

<p>Chinese - By far, one of my biggest ECs. I’m coming closer and closer to being able to speak the language fluently. My speech and tones are both superb; my writing, while extremely sloppy, is pretty good as well. My teacher sent me to a Chinese speech competition in freshman year, because she thought I was pretty good at speaking the language. I ended with a gold medal. I did the same in sophomore and junior year I have also done lots of translating for Chinese ambassadors from Beijing that visited our school. I helped them learn about the American education system and culture, and in the process, I got to know about theirs. </p>

<p>Random stuff: I’m learning how to play piano and chess and how to do magic tricks. Also, I enjoy long walks on the beach.</p>

<p>Well are you only applying to Brown? Why not consider other good universities to have there if you dont get into Brown? I think you have great scores:) and a good chance! Good luck!</p>

<p>rorochi: Well, not exactly…i’m hoping to apply to around 10 (hopefully less), out of which most schools will be reaches. But Brown is definitely SUPER high on that list! Thank you for your input :)</p>

<p>Anyone else with any advice or answers to my questions?</p>

<ol>
<li>The obligatory “What are my chances?”</li>
</ol>

<p>Sorry, don’t do chances. Absolutely no one who does not sit on an admissions committee can give you accurate chances, especially since we can’t read your essays or recommendations or know your school profile. </p>

<ol>
<li>Should I go with only my 2 800s for SAT II, or should I just submit all 3?</li>
</ol>

<p>Right – since your 780 in Physics is such a horrible, bad score. Yup, that score will definitely be the reason why Ivy admissions committees will deny you (I really, really hope you read my snarky sarcasm in this response).</p>

<ol>
<li>What can I do to increase my chances of admission?</li>
</ol>

<p>I counted 16 ECs (17 if you include the beach walking). Admissions committees will get to number 5 and their eyes will glaze over. Focus on 3-5 activities. You clearly do some amazing things, but after skimming that list I wondered if you were a robot who doesn’t ever need to sleep. Good thing you included your beach walks, because I assume a robot doesn’t do that. Admissions committees aren’t looking to accept kids with the highest scores who fill every second of their day with activities designed to get into elite colleges. They want to accept good roommates and good lab partners, who have a sense of humor and fun and joy in life. They want to accept people who have changed their community in a positive way, who will have a similar impact on the college community. </p>

<ol>
<li>Should I go ACT or SAT? I had a bad testing morning for the SAT and my retake will probably increase. Also, my ACT essay kind of sucks. However, the composite for the ACT is clearly higher.</li>
</ol>

<p>You really think a 2240 reflects a “bad testing morning”? Please understand that your score is excellent, wonderful, fabulous. Be very very proud of that score, instead of denigrating it. </p>

<p>To answer the question: submit both scores. And don’t bother taking the SAT again unless there is a merit scholarship that needs higher scores.</p>

<p>The real answer to “how to increase my chance of admission” – not to Brown, but to a good college – is to find a school that really wants what you offer. Don’t focus on the Ivies, because half the applicants look just like you and there really isn’t anything you can do to increase your chances (other than have your family donate a few million dollars). Look at the liberal arts colleges that want more Asians/Indians on campus, or schools that want to beef up their STEM programs. Look for schools in the south that want more geographic diversity and would welcome someone from Illinois.</p>

<p>Brown doesn’t offer minors. Not sure if you know that or not. You just take Chinese. That’s what I’m doing. I don’t know if the minor thing is make or break to you. You have all these great accomplishments but don’t slack on your essays. I met the guy who ultimately gave me the big yes and the first thing he mentioned was my essays. They actually read those, they are not just for show. Good Luck.</p>

<p>Alright, it’s taken me a while to get back to this (on college tours), but here I am. First of all, thank you MyaSavesTheWorld and fireandrain for responding with some awesome feedback. </p>

<p>fireandrain: so, I had a question about my…bunch of ECs problem. There are things that i’m not as involved in, like piano, chess, tennis, WYSE, etc., and there are things that i’m REALLY invested in, like Quizbowl, Science Olympiad, Math Team, and Chinese. Should I omit the less important activities? I still enjoy doing them, but there’s a clear hierarchy in the activities that I do in terms of time I devote to each one. Also, do awards and things (like fermilab science scholar and USNCO) and stuff I do for fun (like tennis and magic tricks) be omitted from my EC list?</p>

<p>Hey! Nice to meet another Telugu person on here :slight_smile: I honestly think you will be fine for Brown admissions. Your scores and grades are top notch! In answer to your previous question, you should really go along with your ECs that you were most involved in/cared about the most. Make Brown see the real you-not just a high performing student, but one with real passions when it comes to doing things you are interested in. Infact, you could enhance your total app by writing about one of these ECs, given that it is a relatable topic for your supplemental.inter</p>

<p>Stress the stuff you are most passionate about – and where you’ve had the most impact. Piano and chess I’d leave out entirely, unless there happens to be a supplemental short essay where mentioning those things makes sense. Magic tricks is interesting, but ONLY if you do something interesting with it (like, visit local hospitals and entertain the kids, or have a birthday party business). Tennis might be worth mentioning, but your acceptance won’t hinge on it. As for awards, there might be a section on apps where you list those, separate from the activities list. </p>

<p>Remember that for many schools, you will have an interview either with an admissions person or an alum. You can bring up some of those fun activities at those, too.</p>

<p>From what I remember of the Common App, awards are listed after the relevant activity. If there isn’t one, you can list it in the “additional information” section.</p>