Rate my chances! (okay scores, good ECs, female from Virginia)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Howdy CC friends,</p>

<p>I would appreciate your opinion on my admission chances to a couple institutions including: Amherst, Brown, Chicago, Columbia, Dartmouth, Harvard, Smith, UVA, Washington and Lee, Wellesley, Wesleyan, Yale</p>

<p>I'm a female from Virginia...which is, in my opinion, the middle of nowhere. I’m mainly applying to Northeastern colleges because of the liberal slant.</p>

<p>I would eventually like to study Biology, possibly with a neuroscience concentration, and journalism. I used to think I was really strong with regard to my left brain, but it seems I’m pretty balanced.</p>

<p>Quantitative data:</p>

<p>Old SAT: 730 Math; 730 Verbal; 1460 composite
New SAT: 720 Math; 740 Verbal; 790 Writing (11 essay); 2250 composite
SAT subject tests: 750 United States History; 730 Math IC; 740 Math IIC; 690 Biology (Molecular) <em>**I took the Bio test at the start of my AP Bio course, before we had covered Photosynthesis and Respiration ;-(
AP: AP US History 5; AP Calc AB 4; AP French Language 4
GPA: 4.8 (weighted); 4.0 unweighted; I've maintained straight As so far throughout my high school career.
Class rank: Top 2% of large, competitive high school (~500 per graduating class)
*</em>*I attend a math, science, technology magnet center, which is located within the larger high school. With regard to class rank, however, I compete with the regular high schoolers.</p>

<p>Junior year courses:
AP US History
AP Calc AB
AP French Language (highest level at school)
AP Stats
Honors Physics
Honors English
Journalism</p>

<p>I'm taking 5 AP classes as a senior, including Calc BC, Biology, Environmental Science, English, and Government. This is a very demanding schedule for seniors at our school. Basically, the only APs that I have not taken at my school are ones for languages I have not studied (Latin, Spanish, German, etc.) and AP Chem and AP Physics. I am taking Bio and Environmental concurrently this year, however…</p>

<p>Extracurricular activities:
--Three-year involvement in prize-winning school newspaper; Staff writer; Front Page Editor; current Deputy Editor-in-Chief; requires more than 5 hours of work per week; We have a large staff and our newspaper is always very large…
--Four year member of French Club; current President; our club conducts regular French Club-esque activites such as Mardi Gras Celebrations and French movie nights as well as community service projects. We are doing a Salvation Army drive for hurricane victims.
--Multicultural club; four-year member; current President; outreach to minorities in school as well as fundraising for impoverished children in India
--Two-year member of Interact Club; active member; Angel Tree, Habitat for Humanity, local marathons, etc.
--12 years of classical piano (at least 5 hours per week); I have participated in local competitions as well as festivals and have received superior rating every year.
--Two years of competitive swim team (5-12 hours per week depending on time-consuming swim meets)
--Key Club, Robotics, track, colorguard, and FDA (Future Doctors Association) - (I participated in these for one year; Colorguard was a pain because it is a segment of the marching band of my school and required literally 30 hours a week; Robotics was not my thing, and Key Club was too big and unorganized).</p>

<p>Community activities:</p>

<p>--Gallery education/exhibit interpretation at local science museum; I have accumulated over 200 hours and absolutely love this job; I get to play with hissing cockroaches and liquid nitrogen; I wrote one of my college essays about my volunteer job and it how it relates to a future career.
--Volunteer at local nursing home (assisted with events, festivities, etc.); over 50 hours
--Volunteer at local botanical garden (horticulture, garden greeting, language translation, etc.)
--Volunteer at local university labs (over 200 hours of service); took care of lab animals and equipment; conducted lab experiments
--Piano concerts at local nursing homes</p>

<p>Work Experience:
--Job at local mall (~15 hours per week)
--Academic tutor at school (multitude of subjects); 1-2 hours per week
--Red-Cross certified babysitter (~10 hours each week); I love children and would like to become a pediatrician.</p>

<p>Awards and honors:
--First place in state-wide science fair; presented research to undergraduate-level fair
--Second place in regional science fair; progressed to state ISEF competition
--National Merit Commended Student
--AP Scholar with Honor
--High PSAT scores (3 consecutive years)
--Principal’s Scholar
--JHU Talented Youth
--National Honor Society (inducted as junior)
--Math Honors Society (inducted as junior)
--French Honors Society (inducted as freshman)
--Journalism honors society (inducted as sophomore)
--Beta Club (inducted as junior)
--Superior rating in annual piano competitions
***I have more, but they're kind of specific.</p>

<p>Independent scientific research is an important facet of my application. Since freshman year, I have undertaken research at local colleges and universities and have been mentored by accomplished professors. I have volunteered over 250 hours for this effort. My research revolved around alcohol tolerance and marijuana usage, which was pretty interesting. I now have a lot of experience dealing with various lab techniques and animals…I intend to continue conducting research in college. </p>

<p>For two summers, I have traveled abroad to participate in educational programs. I won't list the countries or the programs, but one was two months long and absolutely amazing because of the diversity of the participants. I actually wrote about this experience for one of my college essays.</p>

<p>Because of journalism, I have numerous publications; I have also written for the major local newspaper. I also was selected for a prestigious workshop this past summer. I was rated the best journalism student, so my work was nominated for advancement to the national competition level.</p>

<p>Essays: I think I'm a pretty decent writer, so they're okay. I'm not sure if they will POP OUT to the admissions office, however, since everyone that applies to Yale is mind-boggingly accomplished. Nonetheless, one's about my volunteer job and the other about my overseas camp experience. I enlisted the help of some older people, and they liked them a lot…</p>

<p>Recommendations: One from two-year Calc teacher; one from Chemistry teacher; I think they should be pretty good; the one from the Chemistry teacher will be better though because he thinks I'm a "poster child" and apparently likes me a lot. Whatever...I also submitted a supplemental recommendation from my newspaper adviser, which I thought was well-written and nice...He related me to "Emerson's Scholar," which sounds like a complimentary thing to say.</p>

<p>Supplementary materials: CD of piano playing (Chopin!), journalism articles; science project research abstracts</p>

<p>I also sent along a resume a month after I submitted my application. Hopefully, they'll look at it. ;-)</p>

<p>Alumni interview: Went really well in my opinion. The guy (who was very elderly) went to Yale undergrad and then Harvard. He literally spent 2 hours talking to me and seemed tickled by the things I said…meaning he laughed a lot. He also seemed quite tickled by things HE said...lol. He was just a really talkative guy and was EXTREMELY knowledgeable about EVERYTHING I brought to the table. Anyways, he was very interested in my culture and wrote me an e-mail later telling me that out of the 15 years he had served as an alumni interviewer, he had only encountered 2 or 3 individuals that seemed to offer all I have to offer. He also said that New Haven would be very lucky to have me.</p>

<p>I applied to Yale EA, but am realistically anticipating a deferral. Although I do have admirable accomplishments, my test scores are not bad, but sort of average. </p>

<p>What are my chances for:
Amherst
Brown
Chicago
Columbia
Dartmouth
Harvard
Smith
UVA
Washington and Lee
Wellesley
Wesleyan
Yale</p>

<p>Thanks guys! :-D</p>

2

<p>You, like almost everyone that applies has a shot. Your 15 hr a week job looks pretty nice, however, your community service is like everywhere. When they look at community service, they want to see that you are passionate about it and that you spent your time in it pretty well. Your stats are pretty good though. Vous pouvez parle francais? I am just a little concerned with you not taking AP English Lang in 11th grade, AP English Lit now, and AP Physics now. If you read the website, they reluctantly say that they would have liked for the students to take Physics. Besides, your school probably doesnt offer the English, so they wont hold it against you. When you write a resume sheet, try to post your major awards and activities. </p>

<p>"--Two-year member of Interact Club; active member; Angel Tree, Habitat for Humanity, local marathons, etc.
--12 years of classical piano (at least 5 hours per week); I have participated in local competitions as well as festivals and have received superior rating every year.
--Two years of competitive swim team (5-12 hours per week depending on time-consuming swim meets)
--Key Club, Robotics, track, colorguard, and FDA (Future Doctors Association) - (I participated in these for one year; Colorguard was a pain because it is a segment of the marching band of my school and required literally 30 hours a week; Robotics was not my thing, and Key Club was too big and unorganized)." </p>

<p>Thats fluff for example. it just says you have been member of some club or clubs for two years, etc. Therefore, retake your SATs, your SAT IIs are good, and see what happens. Academically you are fit, but your ECs are weak.</p>

3

<p>Oh I forgot this, where you stand now, this is what I predict:</p>

<p>Amherst -Accepted
Brown - Waitlisted, Rejected
Chicago -Accepted
Columbia -Rejected
Dartmouth - Waitlisted
Harvard - Rejected
Smith -Accepted
UVA -Accepted
Washington and Lee -Accepted
Wellesley- Accepted
Wesleyan -Accepted
Yale - Rejected</p>

4

<p>"retake your SATs" dha are you serious? her combined score is 2260!!
You have a very good chance, very well rounded, and I have to agree with dha to put the major activities and awards!!</p>

5

<p>Hey DHA, </p>

<p>Thanks for the assessments! AP English Language was not available in 11th grade. The most rigorous English course was English 11 Honors. I'm not sure if the AP English I'm taking right now is Literature or Language, however, because my teacher says we can either opt for the Language or the Literature AP exam. I'm actually not taking AP Physics right now. I want to go into Biology/Neuroscience, so I opted for AP Biology and AP Environmental (more ecological focus on Biology). I don't understand what you said about my community service being everywhere. I have approximately 200 hours at the Science Museum and like 200 hours volunteering in science laboratories. That is science-based. My volunteering hours at the botanical garden and the nursing home are other interests. One summer, I was away from home living with my grandparents and the botanical garden was the only organization nearby. I also thought it would be interesting to learn horticulture...</p>

<p>I know my SAT isn't like POW...AMAZING!, but I thought it was decent enough. My math, writing, and verbal scores all fit within the median for the Ivies.</p>

6

<p>Right, the median. Remember that the kids <em>usually</em> (non URM, non legacy, etc) have scores in the 1500s with few exceptions. I am not saying you arent one of them, but if you have a chance to retake the exam in January (and havent taken it a bajillion time) then go ahead and do so. I understand your focus in biology/life sciences, but even for Med school you need to take physics and eventually you have to face it. Dont mistake it for me advocating physics, I hate that class with a passion, just like math. I am a humanities guy (Languages, Culture, Literature), however, I relalize the importance of it as any other science (I love bio). </p>

<p>You may think that your community service is good, and while it does show your passion to a certain extent, it doesnt fully appreciate into what it could have been. For example I have thousands of hours of community service, because I founded a program and have devoted significant years to it. Other applicants also have several hundred or several thousand hours as well, albeit not most though. Also try to find some way to list your hours without saying "200 community service hours in XXX activity" It comes off as if you want credit for the work you did, and didnt really have a passion behind it. When I listed my program, I put the hours a week I spend in it as well as the number of weeks a year, for four years. Now that adds up, and doesnt come off as antagonistic. Imagine if I would have put: 3,500 Hours of Community Service. Now that would be kinda apathetic to the cause and the reason which I funded the program. I never did it for the hours, I just wanted to help the Latin American members of my community learn english and become naturalized. Remember, its always the perspective you take. </p>

<p>There isnt much you can do now, however, I urge you to consider taking the SAT again. It never hurts to break the 1500. Now its all up to molding your application. Read "A is for Admission" by Michelle Hernandez. Even though it may be controversial in nature, the tips for filling out your app really help. Good Luck, I wish you the best.</p>

7

<p>I think that for a white person from VA to get into Harvard with a SAT below 1560, (s)he would have to have amazing EC's (e.g. major international/national awards). I don't think your EC's are at this level.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the input, anybody else?</p>

9

<p>I'd actually predict that she also get into Brown, Columbia and Dartmouth.</p>

10

<p>I would say you're strong in most colleges. Although you're EC's are "good," I fail to see a strong focus in one (or two) areas. You state that your community service is science based, yet your EC's don't really suggest that interest (you have a bit of journalism, science, music) . Simply put, you are pretty spread out. Not that that's always a negative thing. You're the well-rounded student, not the well-lopsided.</p>

<p>AP Bio and AP Environmental at the same year? Most schools that I know of do not allow such a combination because the two curriculum often cover similar topics. This two combination of science would be easier than a different science combination, such as bio and...physics, for example, or with chem. </p>

<p>It is still most definitely a demanding course load, given that it is, after all, 5 AP classes. It's just that compared to most Ivy applicants coming in these days with 6,7 AP/IB classes, that might not be the case. </p>

<p>Having been the Editor in Chief of my school paper myself, may I ask what paper you staff on? Was it the pacemaker prize that your school's paper won? If so, what year?</p>

11

<p>Thanks Tami for your input! That's true...my ECs and volunteering are kind of spread out in various interests. I didn't think it was necessarily the most beneficial for the community, however, to do only math/science activities. For example, I volunteer at the science museum, but I feel like I would be able to make a bigger difference by working at homeless shelters, building houses with Habitat, spending time with elderly citizens, etc. I also am very interested in French and cultural stuff...hence the Presidency in French Club and Multicultural Club. I think I'm just interested in almost everything. Oh boy. Do you think that will be a problem with admissions?</p>

12

<p>Not really, some admitted students are well-rounded, as so in your case, while some are well-lopsided. I can see where you are coming from though, with the whole broader aspect. The well-roundedness of a student has just been in question recently, due to that word "passion" that we shear so much about, but "passion" can mean so many things.</p>

<p>Don't worry about being spread out, just don't spread out too thin. It all happens in the application. (Unless of course, you are a senior and have already applied.)</p>

13

<p>I DONT THINK YOUR ECS ARE WEAK.
not every applicant can be an olympic athelte or famous scientist.
and
not all white applicants (those who are admitted, mind yeh ) have scores above 1500</p>

14

<p>Amherst -Accepted
Brown - Waitlisted, Rejected
Chicago -Accepted
Columbia -Accepted
Dartmouth -Accepted
Harvard - Rejected
Smith -Accepted
UVA -Accepted
Washington and Lee -Accepted
Wellesley- Accepted
Wesleyan -Accepted
Yale - Accepted</p>

15

<p>You're from Virginia! Of course, VA has 3 different worlds in itself, but I won't get into the Tidewater Region. If you live in southern va, you have a pretty decent chance of getting into any of these, some chances are higher than others. If you live in northern va, you have a very high chance in UVA and Washington and Lee. The other colleges I'm not so sure - either your chances are low or I don't know much about the college.</p>

16

<p>You're going to find this incredibly amusing...but it seems we are the exact same person. SATs are the same (2250) and SAT IIs average is the same, as is GPA and rank is 1 or 2 out of 400. Ecs are the same, but replace the journalism with business and marketing. The neuroscience is there, as well as the independent research. I go to a magnet math and science school as well (laptops smartboards...u name it). Run a tutoring program, babysit, and I work at the mall. I did early Harvard, but good luck with Yale.</p>

17

<p>^^^Leads me further to believe that everyone on CC has the same DNA and is just cloned.</p>

18

<p>"Community service in XXX activity"</p>

<p>LOL...just LOL :)</p>

19

<p>Tehe...it's disconcerting to have chances twins. Oh well, I'm not really going to worry about Harvard too much. Besides the location in Boston, there's really nothing about it that strikes me as being particularly fitting for me. I wish Wellesley College was co-ed and in Boston...that would be my top school. I like Yale better. However, my chances at Yale are probably slim, too. :-(</p>

20

<p>Hey, Coquettish, do you go to Godwin math and Science center? I'm a senior at maggie walker also applying EA harvard. </p>

<p>So nice to meet someone from VA on here!</p>