Revised Chances Profile: URM Chances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I could use all the help I can get... I made a previous thread on the Chances forum, but I wasn't able to edit the information in my first post. So I'm sorry for double posting an entire thread, but I think it's the best way to have my profile come across more validly.</p>

<p>Anyway, here's my revised chances thread.</p>

<p>Ethnicity: African American/African Parentage (Ethiopia, entire family both living and dead are from there. However, I was born here in the US.)</p>

<p>Desired Major: Neuroscience</p>

<p> Academic Statistics</p>

<p>GPA: 3.68 UW/ 3.8 W</p>

<p>SAT I: 800 Math + 700 CR + 710 Writing = 2210</p>

<p>SAT II Chem: 720+ [Estimated Score, will take test in June]</p>

<p>SAT II Math (Level 2): 750+ [Estimated Score, will take test in October]</p>

<p>Rank: 30/110</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars</p>

<p>Sports: Varsity Tennis 2 years</p>

<p>Music: Principal Chair for trumpet, since my freshman year, and this was among plenty of seniors and upper classmen. I play in orchestra pits, among hired professionals, for school musicals as well. I have a secondary instrument, the baritone horn, which I am also principal chair in. I played the baritone horn at Tubachristmas, a non-profit concert featuring low brass players performing Christmas songs. It took place in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink, where hundreds of spectators and news cameras captured the atmosphere of Christmas.</p>

<p>Clubs: Math Team (Team A since Sophmore year), Chess Club, </p>

<p>Hobbies: Shaolin Kung Fu (Green sash), Model Rocketry (Made about three models from scratch and five from kits. I don't compete or anything, I just do it for myself)</p>

<p>Research: 150 hours in Neuropharmacology at a local medical college</p>

<p>Volunteer Work: Spent the summer before Junior year volunteering at Hebrew Hospital Home, a nursing home for seniors. I transported and catered to the residents and also helped prepare for any event or party to occur, such as concerts, ceremonies, barbeques, etc..</p>

<p>Employment: About four months of work as a tutor at a local Kumon learning center. I tutored kids for math and reading from levels as low as pre k to as high as my own grade. (I haven't worked there since beginning of sophmore year, but I may go back to work there through senior year. Kumon is also a prestigious program because unlike Score, Huntington Learning Center, and other tutoring centers, this program was built to make kids elite in math and reading comprehension. However, it can also be for kids who need help and are at a lower level.)</p>

<p>Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Music (2002-2007)
Honor Roll (2002-2007)</p>

<p>Personal Details</p>

<p>I am a Junior, at a small public school. There aren't too many competitive kids there. However, a student from last year's graduating class got accepted to Harvard.</p>

<p>Unfortunately it will be difficult for me to distinguish myself among the tens of thousands of applicants (per undergrad school) because I have not taken any AP courses yet. Overall though, I've been planning on making up for it by self-studying Physics, the summer before my senior year, take the state exam, and jump to AP Physics.</p>

<p>Also during the summer, I plan on taking Pre Calc at a local college, since I was never placed in the AP "group" in my class.</p>

<p>Not to mention I have made plenty of phone calls, and starting the day after I finish the school year, I will be engaging in neuroscience research at New York Medical College for about 7-8 hours a day.</p>

<p>By the end of my senior year, I'll have taken AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Literature, and AP Computer Science. That's only 4 AP courses in all of high school, which will be taken during senior year. Not to mention that colleges will be sending back accepts, rejects, and waitlists before I even complete the courses.</p>

<p>Personally, I have interesting philosophies on life. I've developed them over my high school years, and even "adults" are wowed at them. I managed to turn around my friend's mom, who was supposed to explain Christianity to me, and I managed to turn her from a strictly passionate believer, to a person who questions God. (I'm sorry if this is too delicate a subject for some of you). However, by no means are my philosophies are to disprove religions. I am not one of those arrogant atheists. I'm a curious realist at the least.</p>

<p>I am not as elite as I should be, academic wise, however, I was wondering since I am an URM, who is dedicated to his work, if I would have any chances of entering these schools.</p>

<p>John Hopkins (1st Choice)
Carnegie Mellon
Harvard (Sending on a complete gamble)
Columbia University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Also sending app. on a complete gamble)
Brown
Tufts</p>

<p>Please reply?</p>

2

<p>I would apply to lower ivies, or top tiered L.A.C., but apply to a couple of ur schools on that list as reaches in case u do get in. but dont apply to all.. i wld cut out mit completely tho. sry. (chance me too) thanks.</p>

3

<p>Alright, thanks for the reply. However, I could use perspective from someone who actually knows the chances for a URM dedicated to the field of neuroscience with the interest and initiative of getting their MD.</p>

<p>Your view somewhat helps though, since I do know that the chances of me going to MIT are slim to none. However, I could care less if I do get into MIT or Harvard, I'd rather get into a school around the top 30 caliber for the nation. MIT and Harvard are faaaaaaaaaaar reaches, that's already distinguished for me. But even if the chances are single digit, I might as well apply anyway. Compare that to someone who goes to buy a lottery ticket. They don't expect to win, yet they do it anyway since they have the time/money. </p>

<p>To be honest, what I really need to know my chances for JHU. It's my first choice. I reeeeally want to go there.</p>

4

<p>MIT practices EXTREME affirmative action. That + being relatively qualified means you'll probably get in. More likely thatn either Harvard, Brown or Columbia, actually.</p>

5

<p>I know MIT is affirmative action, but what doesn't help is that my parents are crazy rich. They'd be more than capable of paying for full tuition and any other fees that apply (I wasn't the kind of kid who got everything from their parents. I worked hard and earned whatever I was given. I may be spoiled since they are paying for tuition, but that doesn't compare me to the kids who get cars and laptops for their birthdays.)</p>

<p>::rant completes::</p>

<p>Anyway, I like all the colleges on my list. I love JHU. The campus, the BA program, the location, the weather... JHU is my primary concern. Don't worry about giving me safety schools, I already know which safety schools I am applying to. My primary concern is JHU, since I'm not as sure if I could get in or not, compared to Harvard or Brown where I know I'm probably not getting in, or compared to Carnegie Mellon or Tufts where I know I stand somewhat of a chance.</p>

<p>For my first choice, I am absolutely confused. So please, tell me my chances for JHU O_O</p>

6

<p>Apply early to JHU, i know from looking at stats from people in my school that JHU actually does use a holistic approach. Show your passion through essays and ur set</p>

7

<p>No, you should apply early to a school that you want to go to best of all, not one you think you might get into. Even if it's a total reach, ED gives you a boost and there's no point guaranteeing to a school you don't like.</p>

<p>I say you have a fine chance...all colleges want is to see that you did the best you could, and you didn't have a chance to take APs. So, you did the hardest coursework available and that's that.</p>

8

<p>From the blurb about your personal "philosophy", it sounds like you are a very convincing person. Take advantage of this in your essays/interviews, and combined with your interesting ECs, good academics, and URM status, I'd say you are extremely competitive.</p>

9

<p>Thanks guys, chances are I'm going to apply ED to all of them. However, I'm 100% sure that I want to go to JHU. So would it be matter if I applied RD there?</p>

10

<p>You should aply to all of those, but add a couple of more (Middlebury accepts ~50% of AA applicants) . You have a legitimate chace at any of them though. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>I don't really need any more colleges to add to my list. Like I said earlier, I already have my safeties. I'd just like to know my chances for the college on my list.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks for the reply. Good luck to you too ^_^</p>

12

<p>I don't think you are allowed to ED to all. Aren't you allowed to ED to only one school (which is because if you get accepted through ED, you HAVE TO attend that school)? Also, not all schools have ED. For example, MIT's is EA, not ED (I don't think EA is binding). Harvard is getting rid of its SCEA. I think it'd be good if you research your colleges a bit more so that you can have a more accurate plan for yourself.</p>

<p>As some people have suggested, you should take full opportunity with the essays. You seem like a deep thinker, so you'll be able to write very original essays. That'll help you tremendously.</p>

<p>However, just statistically speaking, even though you are a URM, I don't really see Harvard or MIT. You have more realistic chances at lower ivies (so colleges other than HYPMS + Caltech + maybe UPenn).</p>

13

<p>Wait I don't understand. So ED is binding, but RD isn't binding?</p>

14

<p>I think ED is binding, and RD is obviously not binding. There are no schools that force RD students to go to their school.</p>

15

<p>Ohhh. I had them completely mixed up. Sorry O_o.</p>

<p>Anyway, any other advice/chances for JHU? Btw, I'm such an idiot for not posting that I was in Jazz Band and Pep Band under my Music info..</p>

<p>Will being interested in the Pep Band help me? I was thinking so since JHU is big on lacrosse games, which generally have pep bands attending O_O</p>

16

<p>You can only apply to one school ED.</p>

17

<p>(Gotcha, btw I'm going to repost the stats since there is a new page)</p>

<p>I could use all the help I can get... I made a previous thread on the Chances forum, but I wasn't able to edit the information in my first post. So I'm sorry for double posting an entire thread, but I think it's the best way to have my profile come across more validly.</p>

<p>Anyway, here's my revised chances thread.</p>

<p>Ethnicity: African American/African Parentage (Ethiopia, entire family both living and dead are from there. However, I was born here in the US.)</p>

<p>Desired Major: Neuroscience</p>

<p>Academic Statistics</p>

<p>GPA: 3.68 UW/ 3.8 W</p>

<p>SAT I: 800 Math + 700 CR + 710 Writing = 2210</p>

<p>SAT II Chem: 720+ [Estimated Score, will take test in June]</p>

<p>SAT II Math (Level 2): 750+ [Estimated Score, will take test in October]</p>

<p>Rank: 30/110</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars</p>

<p>Sports: Varsity Tennis 2 years</p>

<p>Music: Principal Chair in band and jazz band for trumpet, since my freshman year, and this was among plenty of seniors and upper classmen. I play in orchestra pits, among hired professionals, for school musicals as well. I have a secondary instrument, the baritone horn, which I am also principal chair in for pep band. I played the baritone horn at Tubachristmas, a non-profit concert featuring low brass players performing Christmas songs. It took place in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink, where hundreds of spectators and news cameras captured the atmosphere of Christmas.</p>

<p>Clubs: Math Team (Team A since Sophmore year), Chess Club,</p>

<p>Hobbies: Shaolin Kung Fu (Green sash), Model Rocketry (Made about three models from scratch and five from kits. I don't compete or anything, I just do it for myself)</p>

<p>Research: 150 hours in Neuropharmacology at a local medical college</p>

<p>Volunteer Work: Spent the summer before Junior year volunteering at Hebrew Hospital Home, a nursing home for seniors. I transported and catered to the residents and also helped prepare for any event or party to occur, such as concerts, ceremonies, barbeques, etc..</p>

<p>Employment: About four months of work as a tutor at a local Kumon learning center. I tutored kids for math and reading from levels as low as pre k to as high as my own grade. (I haven't worked there since beginning of sophmore year, but I may go back to work there through senior year. Kumon is also a prestigious program because unlike Score, Huntington Learning Center, and other tutoring centers, this program was built to make kids elite in math and reading comprehension. However, it can also be for kids who need help and are at a lower level.)</p>

<p>Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Music (2002-2007)
Honor Roll (2002-2007)</p>

<p>Personal Details</p>

<p>I am a Junior, at a small public school. There aren't too many competitive kids there. However, a student from last year's graduating class got accepted to Harvard.</p>

<p>Unfortunately it will be difficult for me to distinguish myself among the tens of thousands of applicants (per undergrad school) because I have not taken any AP courses yet. Overall though, I've been planning on making up for it by self-studying Physics, the summer before my senior year, take the state exam, and jump to AP Physics.</p>

<p>Also during the summer, I plan on taking Pre Calc at a local college, since I was never placed in the AP "group" in my class.</p>

<p>Not to mention I have made plenty of phone calls, and starting the day after I finish the school year, I will be engaging in neuroscience research at New York Medical College for about 7-8 hours a day.</p>

<p>By the end of my senior year, I'll have taken AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Literature, and AP Computer Science. That's only 4 AP courses in all of high school, which will be taken during senior year. Not to mention that colleges will be sending back accepts, rejects, and waitlists before I even complete the courses.</p>

<p>Personally, I have interesting philosophies on life. I've developed them over my high school years, and even "adults" are wowed at them. I managed to turn around my friend's mom, who was supposed to explain Christianity to me, and I managed to turn her from a strictly passionate believer, to a person who questions God. (I'm sorry if this is too delicate a subject for some of you). However, by no means are my philosophies are to disprove religions. I am not one of those arrogant atheists. I'm a curious realist at the least.</p>

<p>I am not as elite as I should be, academic wise, however, I was wondering since I am an URM, who is dedicated to his work, if I would have any chances of entering these schools.</p>

<p>I would also like to know if my interests in pep band will help my chances to JHU, since I know they are big on lacrosse games, where their pep band, which you don't need to audition for, usually attends. I play an instrument that is rarely played among others for pep band. Baritone horns and other low brass players should be in demand compare to the hundreds of pianists, cellists, etc.. However, I also play trumpet, so I may have a future in the jazz band there if I am talented enough.</p>

<p>John Hopkins (1st Choice)
Carnegie Mellon
Harvard (Sending on a complete gamble)
Columbia University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Also sending app. on a complete gamble)
Brown
Tufts</p>

18

<p>I think you, as an URM with unique interests, have a good/almost great shot at the schools you listed. Harvard, MIT and Brown could be golden if you write your essay about something you value at the subconscious level -- rocket-building, for example? It may seem trivial, but if you can really convey your interest in the hobby, and better yet, its representation as a microcosm of some aspect of the "real world," admissions officers will perk up. Good luck!</p>

19

<p>Well I wouldn't go as far to think I'd have golden chances.</p>

<p>Realistically, am I what JHU is looking for?</p>

20

<p>Wow, your an interesting guy. Although I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough to predict your chances, I really hope you do well!</p>