Really wanna go to Brown, think I could make it?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello all!
This is my first time posting, and I know that I may seem pressed, but I guess I really want to know. I'm a junior at a somewhat selective private school, and well, it's time to get serious about college. I've done my research, and I LOVE Brown (especially the open curriculum!). Anyway, I seriously doubt I could get in, but I thought that I'd ask for your guys' expertise anyway. So here's my info:</p>

<p>Freshman Year
Catholic Christianity- A
Concert Band- A
Honors Literature and Composition- A
Honors Algebra II- B
Honors Biology I- B+
Honors Spanish II- C+ (ouch, I know ;)
Health (1st semester)- A
Phys Ed I (2nd semester)- A</p>

<p>Sophmore Year
Sacred Scripture- A
Intro to Theater- A-
Honors Rhetoric- A
Honors Geometry w/ Trigonometry- B
Honors Biology II- A
Honors Spanish III- B+
Honors Western Civilization- A-
Speech Communications (1st semester)- B+
Phys Ed II (2nd semester)- A</p>

<p>Junior Year (so far)
Christian Ethics- A
Honors Madrigal Choir- A
Honors Government- A
AP English III- A
Honors Pre-Calculus- B+
Honors Chemistry- A
Honors Spanish IV- A-
AP U.S. History- B+</p>

<p>EC's (so far)
Chess Club (9,10,11)
Theatre Program (9)
Teens in Action (10,11)
NHS (10,11)
Spanish Club (11)
Black Cultural Alliance (10,11) -co-president
Krav Maga martial art (10)
Martial Arts Club (11)
Piano (9,10,11) -intermediate/advanced level, 7+ hours per week
Plan on creating an InterCultural Exchange Club next year ;)</p>

<p>Awards
Presidential Scholarship to school (9,10,11)
President's List (most of 9,10,11)
Bro. Andre Award in Biology (10)
Bro. Andre Award in Spanish (9)
State Distinguished Scholar (11)
Hopefully National Merit recognition 4 PSAT!
Presidential Service Bronze Award </p>

<p>Job/Internship
Worked at local bookstore (summer '05-'06)
Mother's helper to family friend ('00-'06)
Selected by school to apply for ADL Leadership Mission, selected my ADL to attend '05 Leadership Mission (really selective, only 10 candidates from every major city selected to go)</p>

<p>Scores- PSAT
Math- 62
CR- 67
W- 80
I'm taking the SAT in a few weeks and I'm shooting for a 2100 this time. I'll probably end up taking it again, and next time I'll be hoping for a 2200. </p>

<p>Rank
Somewhere in the top 10%, last time I saw my rank it was 18/~200</p>

<p>Special thing
-will be studying abroad in Chile this March for 6 months. I have put a lot of time into making this happen, including going through lengthy application process and working to pay for half of the program's cost. The grades that I get in Chile will transfer to my current high school. I plan on coming back fluent in Spanish, which will be wonderful since I also plan on majoring in International Relations. </p>

<p>Well that's about it! I really appreciate everybody's time, and if anyone has any more info that they think I could use, please don't hesitate to share. ;)</p>

<p>P.S. Oh yeah, I'm also looking at applying to Amherst, Middlebury, and maybe SUNY Binghamton (maybe).</p>

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<p>You definitely have a shot buddy. I will say one thing, stats only do so much. You MUST shine in your essays and interview, and by shine I don't mean a perfectly well structure piece of crap; I mean a paper that shows who you are, your passions, and is fun/inspiring to read. Formailities come after you have put yourself in your essay.</p>

3

<p>Thanks so much! I've been told I'm a good writer, and I'll definitely keep your advice in mind when I write my essay. I'm a little bit nervous though, because I always find it hardest to write about myself... Oh, and I also forgot to mention, since I'm so "smitten" with Brown, I sure that I'm going to apply ED. I hope that will improve my chances!</p>

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<p>Anyone else? ;)</p>

5

<p>Are you african-american?</p>

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<p>Yes, I'm an African-American female. :)</p>

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<p>your black? YOUR DEFINITELY IN</p>

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<p>wow, lol well I hope you're right!</p>

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<p>sweetcyd, seriously u dont have to worry lol</p>

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<p>Yeah, I hope so; I guess that for now I'll just work on keeping my grades up and scoring well on the SAT. thanks again!</p>

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<p>SweetCyd - </p>

<p>I think irap3 is being overly optimistic. Your URM status will be a big help, but it does not guarentee you admission to Brown (which, by the way, only admits about 15% of its applicants).</p>

<p>Realistically, your grades look good, your class rank looks good, your ECs are OK, though a little scattered, but if your PSATs predict your SATs (209 = approx. 2090), then they're on the low side for Brown, even with your URM advantage. To really nail down your chances at Brown, you need to score at or above 2150. If you can push your score above 2200 (M+V at 1410 or above), you will have really given your chances of getting into Brown a big boost.</p>

<p>Amherst and Middlebury are probably more difficult to get into than Brown - Amherst in particular is very, very selective. Middlebury, interestingly, is big on languages. If you do come back from Chile fluent in Spanish, you'll definitely improve your chances of getting in there. Still, you need to get your SATs up to be competitive at Amherst or Middlebury. Again, 2150 plus would help you immensely. SUNY Binghamton, on the other hand, will probably be a slam-dunk for you. You should, by the way, look at colleges that have median freshman class SAT M+V around 1300. These schools would be matches for you. </p>

<p>Finally, a 209 on the PSATs will probably not get you National Merit recognition. I had a 219, and only got a letter of commendation.</p>

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<p>Amptron,
I really appreciate your honesty. Trust me, I'm fully aware of the admission rates for Amherst, Brown, and Middlebury. I would't be surprised if I get rejected from Amherst, but I really think that I have a chance at Middlebury after studying in Chile for 6 months junior year of high school. But once again, my absolute first choice is Brown.
About my PSAT scores. I understand that a 209 really isn't all that, but it was the highest score in my school. For my state it's not that bad, I think that last year the cutoff was a 205, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's higher. I will be perfectly fine with a letter or recommendation, as well. :)
And for the SAT's. I really think that will some extra studying, I could make a 2200. You're absolutely right, I know that a 2150+ would seriously help my chances, and I'll get right to work on that.
I'm seriously trying to find some schools that I like with a median SAT of 1300, but I just can't seem to. I love a challange, and I keep leaning towards schools that will be a serious challenge. If anyone knows of some schools that are somewhat like Brown/Middlebury/Amherst but less selective, please let me know.
Once again, thank you for everybody's input, and I really appreciate the honesty! :)</p>

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<p>middlebury accepts around 60% of african americans, i really don't see how you wouldn't get in there</p>

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<p>really?! well, that's nice to hear, lol</p>

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<p>Definitely apply ED to Brown if you continue to have it in first place. Your chances are very good. </p>

<p>As a safety school for international relations, consider American University--great opportunities for DC internships.</p>

<p>I have also heard that Emory University is very good in International Relations and has a vibrant social scene.</p>

16

<p>Here's a bunch of good schools with Freshman SAT medians around 1300:</p>

<p>Kenyon
Connecticut College
Boston College
University of Richmond
Univ. of Rochester
NYU
University of Michigan
Trinity (in CT)
Dickinson College</p>

<p>If you want to go a bit higher on the selectivity/SAT median ladder, look at:</p>

<p>Haverford
Macalester
Davidson
Colby
Univer. Of Southern CA
Colgate
Brandeis
William and Mary
Oberlin
Bates
Hamilton
Grinnell
Bard
University of Virginia</p>

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<p>Thanks a lot. I've heard good things about American University, and I haven't even thought about Emory, I'll definately check those out!</p>

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<p>Yeah, I've actually gone to visit Brandeis, along with Tufts, and they were both very nice. The thing that is making my college search a little tough is that I'm rather picky about location and number of students. Amherst was too small, NYU was too big, but Brown was JUST right. Ya know what I mean? Anyway, thanks a lot for the list of schools, I really need to find more match and safety schools and you guys are helping a lot.</p>

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<p>Oh, I have one more question as well. For the SAT IIs, I was planning on taking Spanish and Writing, until I heard that you aren't allowed to take the SAT II Writiing for Brown. Is this true?</p>

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<p>sat II writing isnt offered any more</p>