**Rochester 2019 RD Results Only Thread**

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Rochester
1

** Copy the following format, and add your stats**

Pick one:
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Deferred[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II:
Unweighted GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load:
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities:
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Commonapp Essay:
UR Supplement Essay:
Interview:

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major:
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender:
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:

Notes:

** Make sure to remove the 'a' after the brackets in the bold, size and color in your decision.**

Please use this thread only for results. All discussion should be made either via pm or on the discussion thread, here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-rochester/1728181-rochester-2019-rd-discussion-thread.html#latest

Good luck to all who are reading this!

2

Edit: Deferred should have read Waitlisted, choose from the following for decision (make sure to remove the ‘a’ after the brackets in bold, size, and color)

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FFA500]Decision: Waitlisted[/color][/size]**
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#FF0000]Decision: Rejected[/color][/size]**

3

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Math 770, Reading 760, Writing 780
ACT (breakdown): Math 35, Reading 36, Writing 36, Science 36
SAT II: Latin 790, Chemistry 760, Literature 780
Unweighted GPA: 3.97
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History (5), Calc AB (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): History SL (6)
Senior Year Course Load: IB English HL, IB Latin SL, IB Math SL, AP Physics, AP Macroeconomics
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Finalist, nominated for Presidential Scholars, Girl Scout Gold Award

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Vocal music (section leader), musical theatre (vocal captain), Latin club (consul), peer mentoring, varsity diving, Girl Scouts
Job/Work Experience: None
Volunteer/Community service: Girl Scouts, National Honor Society, regular volunteering in elementary school choir program
Summer Activities: Summer theatre productions, family commitments
Essays: Common app–my reading chair, where I’m perfectly content; Rochester supplement–explaining why it’s my dream school
Teacher Recommendation: 2 presumably strong teacher recommendations from Latin teacher (had for 4 years) and junior year IB history teacher
Counselor Rec: Hopefully a strong recommendation
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: My interview on campus over the summer went really well, I think I really communicated how much I was in love with the school to my interviewer (who was really nice and a lot like me, actually. We even had the same first name)

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Linguistics
State (if domestic applicant): Colorado
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large public high school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Upper middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I really don’t have any special hooks other than the contents of my application.

Reflection:

Strengths: Test scores, GPA, essays, teacher recommendations
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Rochester is absolutely my dream school, and I worked really hard to communicate my love for the school in every part of my application (including my interview). I also tried to emphasize my diverse interests and strengths, and matched that to the diversity and openness of the Rochester curriculum. I don’t want to choose between my passions, so Rochester is the perfect school for me, and communicating that was my #1 priority.
Weaknesses: Summer activities and volunteer experience
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: My stats are strong, my interests are diverse and different, and I think I did a great job communicating that Rochester and I are perfect for each other.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted at Georgetown, Tulane, Emory, University of New Hampshire, and University of Colorado Boulder.
Notes: No information on scholarships in my acceptance letter, so hopefully that will come soon… that’s going to be the deciding factor for me. Good luck to everyone still waiting on your letters! I hope to see a lot of you at Rochester next year!

4

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Math 640 / Writing 620 / CR 620
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 720 Math1 / 720 Lit.
Unweighted GPA: 3.78
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/12
AP (place score in parenthesis): N/A
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Architecture, US History, Horticultural Science, Physics, Economics, Health, Gym
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cultural Exchange in Switzerland, adviser to a middle school math team, varsity tennis freshman and sophomore years.
Job/Work Experience:N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Service Trip in Thailand where I became a certified elephant trainer, work exchange at an art center, 200+ hours of political volunteerism,
Summer Activities: Helped design award winning chicken coops, travelling, glass work and other art classes, et cetera
Essays: Decent
Teacher Recommendation: Incredibly personal and honest. I had 4 teacher recs.
Counselor Rec: Decent.
Additional Rec: Awesome letter from the principle architect of a NYC firm who I met over the summer.
Commonapp Essay: Decent
UR Supplement Essay:Great! Talked about my past accomplishments and how U of R will help me to accomplish my future ambitions.
Interview: Interviewer said I was in the top five best students he had ever interviewed. So, I’d say it went well.

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Archaeology, Technology and Historical Structures
State (if domestic applicant): Maine
School Type: Small (30 kids) public school on an island off the coast of Maine. I take a ferry boat over to the island everyday.
Ethnicity: Very white.
Gender: Female

I’ve also been accepted to:
Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York

5

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**
Objective:

ACT 34, 35 superscored
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/118
Senior Year Course Load: I have a full year of Dual Credit college courses
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Lots of state level awards, performing arts, academics, Mock Trial captain, lead in One Act which won state championship twice
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: coordinated fundraiser for human trafficking group, many others
Summer Activities: Attended a summer program at Oxford
Essays: good, a compelling story I guess
Teacher Recommendation:
Counselor Rec:
Additional Rec:
Commonapp Essay:
UR Supplement Essay:
Interview:

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: poli sci/global studies/pre law
State (if domestic applicant): Nebraska
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:
Ethnicity:
Gender: M
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):

Reflection:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted UMich, Case Western, Northeastern, Pitt, others
Notes:

6

Decision: Accepted (completing on behalf of son) (applied Dec 1, received decision by mail March 2)

Objective:

SAT I 750 math, 750 cr, 710 writing
ACT (breakdown): 31 composite: English: 33, Reading: 33, Science 31, Math: 28 (only took once)
Unweighted GPA: school only gives weighted GPA - 93.5 W (don’t know unweighted, don’t have 4.0 scale)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):not sure, about top 12%
AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH, AP Language Comp, AP Lit, AP Calc, AP World, also four dual-enrollment/college SUNY classes
ISenior Year Course Load: AP English LIt, AP Calc AB, SUNY Physics, Creative Writing, Participation in Government, Wind Ensemble
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program, AP Scholar, All League and All Country Cross Country

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cross Country (6 years) (team captain senior year), Indoor and outdoor Track (6 years) Team Captain Junior and Senior Year; Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at local hospital, patient transport and information desk, train new volunteers; volunteer at Soup Kitchen/Food Pantry; Relay for Life; Light The Night Walk;
Summer Activities: Camp Combe Y Adventure Bound; Camp Combe Y Service Corps
Essays: great
Teacher Recommendation: didn’t see but pretty sure great (APWorld and Physics teachers)
Counselor Rec: great
Additional Rec: director of hospital volunteer program - great
Commonapp Essay: great
UR Supplement Essay: pretty good
Interview: awesome interview, really hit it off - had the same interests (saxphone and running) reflected in the acceptance letter and sure it played a big role

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Y, but unlikely
Intended Major: physics
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public
Ethnicity: 1/2 Hispanic (Cuban)
Gender: male
Income Bracket: $100K+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Hispanic

Reflection: They definitely application a holistic review

Strengths: SATs, course rigor, recommendations, interview, diverse interests
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself:
Weaknesses: GPA (terrible midyear report - maybe they didn’t look at it?)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: They said in my letter that they liked the diverse interests that I bring to the campus
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: Northeastern, Pitt, SUNYs: Stony Brook, Binghampton, Oneonta, New Paltz; still waiting on: Geneseo, UMASS Amherst, RPI. no rejections yet.
Notes: Really excited. Have lots of decisions to make. Still waiting to hear about potential merit aid.

7

Decision: Accepted

Got the email and letter via snail mail today!

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): Didn’t send
ACT (breakdown): 35 (took once)
SAT II: Math II (800), Biology E (790), Chemistry (760)
Unweighted GPA: 3.93
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Biology (5), AP Chemistry (5), AP Chinese (5), and AP English Language + Composition (5), AP US History (4).
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Lit., AP Physics 1, AP Psychology, Wind Ensemble, AP US Government, and Marching Band (first semester)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): KM Club (secretary), tutoring at an elementary school, mentor for our district’s science fair (basically helping younger students w/ science fair projects)
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Volunteering at a local hospital, volunteering at a food pantry
Summer Activities: UCI Summer Premed Program
Essays: I thought my Common App essay was a little weak, but I thought my supplement was strong for UoR!
Teacher Recommendation: 9/10 and 8/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Additional Rec: 7/10
Common App Essay: 8/10
UR Supplement Essay: 9/10
Interview: N/A

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Biological Sciences
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 150k-200k (I think? Maybe lower)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First person in my family (ever) to attend college in the US!

Reflection:

Strengths: GPA + amount of APs (rigorous course load) + ACT test
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: My application centered a lot around my interest in science and medicine, which UoR really liked! The letter they sent me talked about how they expected me to be in the hospitals + labs a lot and they liked my ability to balance my passions for science and art.
Weaknesses: Lack of leadership + Common App essay
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think they really liked my passion for art and medicine.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: UC Irvine (regents + CHP), UCSB (regents), Purdue, and University of the Pacific. Deferred: UMich. Waiting for the rest! Will update later.
Notes: Congrats to those who were accepted!

8

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2370 (800 CR, 770 M, 800 W)
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take
SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 Math II, 800 Latin, 800 US History, 790 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): NA (I’m homeschooled)
AP (place score in parentheses): US Gov (5), US History (5), European History (5), Macro (5), Micro (5), English Lit (5), English Lang (5), Chemistry (5), Calc BC (5)
IB (place score in parentheses): didn’t take
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP Comp Sci, Discrete Math, Asian History, Asian Literature, Front-End Web Development, Machine Learning, Personal Finance
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): major writing award (not naming to protect identity), National Merit, National AP Scholar, an award for girls in computing.

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Lots of leadership (founded and taught economics class, mentor at Coder Dojo, teaching assistant for several AP classes), paid job at library, various computer science extracurriculars (Google Code-In, volunteering with CS competition for girls, volunteering at startup, etc.), music (piano, choir).
Job/Work Experience: Library page
Volunteer/Community Service: See ECs, plus 400 hours volunteering at the library from ages 12-16.
Summer Activities: Economics seminar, government/business camp, taking care of grandparents, working
Essays (rating 1-10, details):: good Common App essay (9/10), decent Rochester essay (6/10)
Teacher Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):: 10, 6 or 7 (I’m not as close to this teacher)
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details):: 10/10 (written by my parents, since I’m homeschooled)
Additional Rec (rating 1-10, details):: 7/10 (complimentary rec from my boss)
Interview: none

Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes
State (if domestic applicant): Michigan
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Homeschool
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $70-80k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none

Reflection
Strengths: high stats, legacy status, leadership, good essays, difficult courseload
Weaknesses: I still feel like my ECs and awards were slightly weak. (It was harder to participate in extracurriculars since I’m homeschooled.)
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think that high stats and some unique extracurriculars got me in!
Where else you are applying or have already applied: likely letter from Columbia; accepted to University of Michigan, Alabama (with full-tuition+), Maryland (with 48k scholarship), and George Mason (with 40k scholarship); deferred from Princeton. Also applying to UChicago, Rice, Stanford, WashU, Harvard, and a few others.

9

Pick one:
Decision: Accepted

Objective:

ACT (breakdown): 29 composite
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 11 out of 85
AP (place score in parenthesis): U.S. History, Computer Science (school doesn’t offer many APs for underclassmen)
Senior Year Course Load: AP U.S. Government, AP Calculus AB, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP English Lit, Theology IV, Dual Credit English Lit, Forensics, and Human Pathophysiology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Honor Thespian (over 1000 hours towards drama club)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Drama Club 6 years (head of Little Theater renovation committee), premed club, environmental club
Job/Work Experience: have worked at local pizzeria for three years
Volunteer/Community service: Zumba instructor at local Transitional Living Center with YWCA for a year, local hospital volunteer (300 hours), NHS community service (140 hours), and school service learning (80 hours)
Summer Activities: local hospital volunteer (referred on top), summer medical programs at Johns Hopkins University and Perelman School of Medicine (University of Pennsylvania)
Essays: mainly talked about transition from Mexico into the United States and about my handicapped sister (9/10)
Teacher Recommendation: didn’t read them, but they have seen me grow as a student for the past four years
Counselor Rec: 9/10
Additional Rec: 10/10 from boss
Commonapp Essay: very strong
UR Supplement Essay: very strong as well

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): TX
School Type: Small, Catholic, all girls private school
Ethnicity: hispanic
Gender: female
Income Bracket: 150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Grew up in Mexico and eventually moved to the United States due to the violence. Ever since then I have been struggling to catch up to my classmates since I learned English when I was 11 years old. Dual nationality. My sister has a rare syndrome called PKS and my family has struggled both emotionally and financially.

Reflection:

Strengths: Essays, letters of rec, passion shown in essays, and cultural duality
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: moving countries is not very easy. How my sister has inspired me to want to become a medical doctor in order to understand more about the human body.
Weaknesses: standardized testing, all I have to say is that it’s biased.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: my ethnicity/unique upbringing, my passion for science, and all the volunteering I have done over the years
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: None so far, this is the first one!
Notes: I’m still waiting on seven other schools and I really can’t wait. Congrats to all the other students that were accepted!

10

[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted[/color][/size]**

Date applied: late November (completing on behalf of D)

Which school/major ChemE, plan to minor in dance

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): m 730, cr 710, wr 710 (2150/1440)
ACT (breakdown): n/a
SAT II (place score in parentheses): chem 780, math 1 730
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5%
AP (place score in parentheses): Chem 5, English Comp 5
IB (place score in parentheses): n/a
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics 1, AP Calc BC, Honors Spanish, Honors English, Biotechnology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Math Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, School Orchestra (Viola, 1st chair, Vice-President), District Orchestra, All-State Orchestra

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: Long-term commitment to dance, solo & team competition dance
Job/Work Experience: Research Lab Intern at nearby university, student teacher at dance studio
Volunteer/Community Service: Dress for Success, local church, food bank, lots of tutoring
Summer Activities: Dance Intensives
Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9
Teacher Recommendations (rating 1-10, details): 9/10? Guessing, I didn’t see teacher or counselor recs
Counselor Rec (rating 1-10, details):: 9/10?
Additional Rec (rating 1-10, details)::10/10
Interview: Went well. Interviewed by Henry (the guy with 5 majors).

Other
Applied for Financial Aid? Yes,
State (if domestic applicant): Massachusetts
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $150+
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection
Strengths: Long term commitments to dance & music, recs, rank
Weaknesses: SAT scores, didn’t send a supplemental writing sample
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Showed a lot of interest, including two visits and an overnight.
Where else you are applying or have already applied: USC, Case Western Reserve, Tulane University, some state schools. Waiting to hear from UCSB, UVa
General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted!! Such a great school!

11

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): M 770 CR 760 W 700
SAT II: Math2:800 Biology: 800 U.S History 800
Unweighted GPA: 3.81
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10/368
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chemistiry 5 BC Calculus 5 Biology 5 US Hist 5 Euro 4
Senior Year Course Load: AP ( Physics, Stats, Gov, Spanish) Honors (English)

Subjective:

Extracurriculars : Science Olympiad, Math Club, Karate
Job/Work Experience: Sunday School
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities: average
Essays: Thought it was good … hard to know reaction
Teacher Recommendation: Should have been good but did not see but told good by counselor
Counselor Rec: Should have been good but did not see
Additional Rec: Should have been good but did not see
Commonapp Essay: Thought it was good … hard to know reaction
UR Supplement Essay: Thought it was good … hard to know reaction
Interview: Relatively short … went well but not as strong as others

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): PA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: W
Gender: M
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): NONE

Reflection:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Tried to let them know who I am and what I am looking for and what is important to me
Weaknesses: Extracurriculars
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: generally strong application
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: first acceptance

12

Just adding to above: Deferred: Brown, MIT, Case; Rejected: Olin

13

Accepted!!!

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): CR 800, MA 720, WR 750
SAT II: Physics 800, Math 1 780, World History 800, US History 780
Unweighted GPA: 3.93 (98.3% on 100% scale)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 or 2 in class
AP (place score in parenthesis): English Lang. and Composition (5), World History (5), US History (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Bio, AP English Lang. and Lit., Economics, Current Issues

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): started an Amnesty International chapter (President), Theater–many leads (President), Orchestra (section leader, cello), Chorus (alternate Conference All-State NY), NHS, Mathletics, Model UN
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: Counselor at multiple youth programs, volunteered last summer for a week repairing homes in W VA
Summer Activities: music programs, volunteering, Young Writers’ Workshop video game design camp
Essays:
Teacher Recommendation: not sure
Counselor Rec: not sure
Additional Rec: strong
Commonapp Essay: I think it was good. I wrote about my experiences as a cellist with Tourette syndrome.
UR Supplement Essay: excellent (if I say so myself)
Interview: I really enjoyed it and felt good about it

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major:Physics
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: small, rural
Ethnicity: white
Gender: male
Income Bracket: 180,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I have Tourette syndrome, which has posed a number of challenges for me, but I have done well as a student and school community member despite that.

Reflection:

Strengths: I genuinely love the U of R, and I did my best to convey that in my short essay and interview.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t know, but I am grateful!
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: U Vermont, Binghamton, all other schools applied to are private and won’t notify until end of March

14

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): 2030 (did not submit)
ACT (breakdown): 34 (35 english, 35 writing, 36 math, 29 science)
SAT II: 800 Math II
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 12%
AP (place score in parenthesis): European History
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science, Engineering and Design, Humanities: Literature and Philosophy, Creative Writing, AP Statistics, Psychology
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Manage and write reviews for a couple websites, ultimate frisbee club, robotics club, in a band
Job/Work Experience: One from 10th grade (construction, lasted a few months), one from 12th grade (learning center/tutoring, ongoing all of senior year)
Volunteer/Community service: 11th grade - current: Food pantry; 12th grade: Library/electronic tutoring - current
Summer Activities: Summer Scholars program at the University of Notre Dame in the summer going into junior year
Essays: Pretty good, had a couple people review it and feedback was pretty positive
Teacher Recommendation: Didn’t get to read it, but I assume pretty good
Counselor Rec: Pretty good, she knows me relatively well
Additional Rec: N/A
Commonapp Essay: Pretty good, had a couple people review it and feedback was pretty positive
UR Supplement Essay: Pretty good, had a couple people review it and feedback was pretty positive
Interview: No

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Computer Science and/or Business
State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public (competitive, well ranked)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Not sure
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection:

Strengths: ACT, SATII, essays
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Really tried to focus on writing good essays and being well-rounded
Weaknesses: Could have had a couple more or more diverse activities
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Solid grades, good test scores, essays, recommendations
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Accepted: RIT, Clark, WPI, UMass, PC (hopefully more to come)
Deferred: Tulane
Rejected: None (yet)
Notes: Visited campus, went to information session

15

Decision: Accepted

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take it
ACT (breakdown): 33 Composite (32 English, 35 Math, 33 Reading, 34 Science)
SAT II: 690 Biology, 760 Math II
Unweighted GPA: 3.89
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4.09% (of 450 students)
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 in Human Geo, 3s in Biology, US History, and Lang & Comp
IB (place score in parenthesis): not taken
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Calculus AB, AP Psychology, AP Lit & Comp, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Global Studies
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): none

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Soccer (varsity captain for 2 years), Mock Trial (attorney for 1 year, witness for 3 years), National Honors Society, Key Club, French Club
Job/Work Experience: Soccer Referee, Hospital Pharmaceutical Aide
Volunteer/Community service: through NHS and Key Club; logged 205 hours in high school
Summer Activities: soccer
Essays: AP Lit Comp professor said it was a 9/10
Teacher Recommendation: both were 10/10 imo
Counselor Rec: none
Additional Rec: none
Commonapp Essay: pretty good (dedicated a month)
UR Supplement Essay: little worse than the common app one; only dedicated two weeks
Interview: pretty bad since it was over the phone and I much rather prefer to talk to him face to face, but didn’t happen

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Neuroscience
State (if domestic applicant): Live in Wisconsin, but considered international
Country (if international applicant): citizenship in Canada (Rochester considers Canadian students the same as American Students (thank God!))
School Type: Public; class size 450
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $60,000 to $70,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First Generation

Reflection:

Strengths: Leadership and Community Service over the years
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: I moved a total of 7 times in my life, so I made a point that I adapted to every situation thrown at me. Though it was cool :smile:
Weaknesses: grades, academic opportunities
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think I was well above average for the demographic at U of R, but the academic opportunities there are amazing
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted - Alabama, Twin Cities, Vanderbilt, UW-Madison, Carleton, Marquette
Deferred - U of Chicago
Rejected - U of Pennsylvannia
Notes: HOPE THIS HELPS :smiley:

16

Posted on behalf of my son –

Decision: Accepted

Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2090 (770/670/650)
ACT: 34 composite
SAT II: Math2 (780), Biology - Molecular (750)
Unweighted GPA: 3.9
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 9/375
AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro History (4), Biology (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP ( Physics, Calculus BC), Honors English

Subjective:
Extracurriculars: band(s), chorus, NHS, Eagle Scout, Model UN, and a few others
Volunteer/Community service: tons (too many to specify)
Summer Activities: camps, volunteer service
Recommendations/Essays/Interview – all went well, I think

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): MA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: W
Gender: M
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): NONE

17

DECISION: Accepted (Intended major CS)

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown out of 1600): Not Taken
ACT: 34 (36 M)
SAT II: 800 Math II; 800 Chem
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.87 / 4.75 (W)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Possibly 8/450

AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Physics C Mech (5 - taken as freshman); AP Chem (5), AP Calc BC (5)
AP Stat (5), AP Comp Sci A (5), AP Physics C Elec. & Mag. (5), AP US History (4), AP Bio (3)

Also Completed: Multivariable Calculus (A from Harvard Extension), CS50 (A Harvard), Intro to ECE (A from CMU Precollege), Intro to CS with Python (A from CMU Precollege)

Senior Year Course Load: Anatomy and Physiology, AP Comp Gov, Honors Shakespeare, AP Spanish, Honors IOS Programming
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing Major; AP Scholar with Distinction, Baush and Lomb Award, Harvard Book Prize, Creative Coder Award from school’s FIRST Robotics Team, Bronze medal on National Spanish Exam…

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Science Team, FIRST Robotics
Job/Work Experience: 7 weeks full time as IT Intern at Welch’s Foods
Volunteer/Community service: Peer Tutor at school for struggling students
Summer Activities: Internship, CMU Precollege
Essays: Good I Think…
Teacher Recommendation: Didn’t see but good I hope (one from CS teacher of all four years)
Counselor Rec: Didn’t see
Additional Rec:
Interview:

Other

State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Highly Competitive Large Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket:> 200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection

Strengths: Academics, Test scores, GPA, Focus on CS (6 courses taken),
Weaknesses: Extracurriculars, not ‘well-rounded’
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Both parents U of R Ph.Ds - I am a Meliora Child!
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Rejected CMU, Accepted UMass Amherst (Honors), Accepted UMD College Park (Honors with $48,000 President’s scholarship over 4 years), Accepted UIUC (CS in Engineering), waiting for Cornell, MIT (deferred) and U Mich(deferred)

18

Decision: Accepted REMS!

Objective:

SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 35 comp, 35, eng, 35 math, 33 reading, 36 science
SAT II: 800 Bio (E), 790 Math II, 790 Chem
Unweighted GPA: 96.5
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): European History (5), Chemistry (5), USH (5), Eng Lang (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Eng, AP Gov, AP Bio, AP Calc BC, Organic Chemistry, Economics, Video Production
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): N/A

Subjective:

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): President of volunteer club, CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: ^^
Summer Activities: Internship at lab and hospital
Essays: Pretty good, very personal
Teacher Recommendation: 4 recommendations (overkilled it)
Counselor Rec: I know her pretty well, so probably good
Additional Rec: Volunteer coordinator
Commonapp Essay: About sexuality
UR Supplement Essay: Meh
Interview: Really well

Other:

Applied for Financial Aid?: Y
Intended Major: Chemistry
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Magnet Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: $50,000-$80,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation

Reflection:

Strengths:
What you tried to focus on in your application - any hooks you tried to make for yourself: Humanism
Weaknesses:
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: No idea tbh
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Harvard REA
Notes:

19

Oops, wrote in my post that I’m a legacy. I’m not. I copied my stats from the UMich decisions thread. :wink:

20

Decision: Accepted!

GPA: 3.44 UW, 4.01 W
SAT: N/A
ACT: 35
SAT II: N/A

AP classes:
-Calc AB - Not reported
-Calc BC - Not reported
-English Lang - 5
-English Lit - Taking currently
-Environmental Sci - 4
-Government (Comparative) - 5
-Government (US) - 4
-Macroeconomics - 3
-Psychology - Taking currently
-Statistics - Taking currently
-World History - Taking currently

Extracurriculars:
-House Captain - 12
-Euro-Challenge Team 10
-International Thespians Society - 10-12
-Math Team - 9-12 (10th Treasurer, 12th VP)
-Model UN - 9-12 (Director of Training)
-School play and musicals - 10-12
-Spanish Academic Team - 11 & 12
-Varsity Cross Country Team - 9-12 (Captain)
-Varsity Soccer Team - 9-12
-Varsity Track & Field Team - 9-12 (Captain)
-Yearbook - 10 & 11 (Graphic Design Head junior year)

Awards:
-National Honor Society President
-Mu Alpha Theta Vice President
-Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society
-Scholar Athlete Society
-Best Delegate at Brown University (Model UN)
-Best Delegate at University of Florida (Model UN)
-Third Place at University of Central Florida (Model UN)
-Third Place at Georgetown University (Model UN)
-2012 District Thespian Festival - Superior (5/5) on pantomime
-2013 District Thespian Festival - Excellent (4/5) on ensemble acting scene
-2014 District Thespian Festival - Excellent (4/5) on pantomime
-Cross Country’11-'12 Most Improved Runner, '12-'13 Coach’s Award
-Track & Field '11-'12 Most Dedicated Runner
-University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award
-2014 World Series of Innovation Finalist - Third Place

Volunteer service:
-Summer camp counselor for 200+ hours each summer (4 years)
-Elementary school staff aide for 50ish hours (my school is private and starts later than the public schools here)
-Soup kitchen volunteer
-Organizing for America volunteer (Obama campaign in 2012)

Additional:
-Started a programming/coding company my sophomore year and did work for a multitude of clients, including the Florida Virtual School for one of their conventions until the end of the school year when most of our more experienced coders graduated and had no time to do work in college
-Playing piano for 12 years

Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Political Science / Business
State (if domestic applicant): FL
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small Competitive Private
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: $40,000-$50,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None

Reflection:
My GPA is definitely not where it should or could have been, but Rochester definitely takes the holistic approach very seriously and was kind enough to consider my extracurriculars and essays as much as they did during the admissions process (the high school award I received may have helped to get my foot in the door). Incredibly blessed to be accepted.