Senior Worried About Chances at Top Southern Schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone. I've posted chance threads in the past, but now that I'm in senior year and my college list is finally ironed out (and a few applications have already been sent out) I want to see what my expectations should be for some of the schools on my list. Give me a link and I'll try my best to chance back.</p>

<hr>

<p>General Information:
- Year: Senior
- Age: 16 (skipped 2nd grade)
- School: Arguably the top private school in Tampa Bay Area (1260/1600 average SAT).
- State: Florida
- Romanian-American (First Generation)
- Bilingual (English/Romanian)
- Intended Majors: International Relations / Business Administration-Management</p>

<hr>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p><em>(School does not rank)
</em>(Very difficult to get into APs outside of senior year. I would like to address this in my app. somewhere, but I'm not sure how or where).
**(School does not weight GPA)</p>

<ul>
<li><p>UW GPA: 3.75/4.00 (If I maintain my A- or high averages, which is very likely with only 3.5 weeks remaining the semester, then this will be a 3.80)</p></li>
<li><p>Class Rank: Does Not Rank</p></li>
<li><p>Courseload: 5 AP Exams, 5 Honors Classes</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Junior Year Schedule:
A) Chemistry - (A+)
B) Precalculus - (A) (first year honors is available)
C) Honors U.S. History - (A-) (first year AP is available)
D) S1 - Robotics 1 (A+) / S2 - Robotics 2 (A)
E) English 11 - (A) (first year honors is available, only 1 class of 15)
F) Cultural History - (A-) (damn school wont let me self study for AP Art History)
G) S1 - S.W.A.T (explained in Comm Service) / S2 - Religion in the U.S. (mandatory course)</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule:
A) Honors English 12 - (A)
B) S1 - AP Macroeconomics (A-) / S2 - AP Microeconomics -TBD
C) S1 - AP Comparative Government (A) / S2 - AP US Government -TBD
D) Honors Calculus - (A+)
E) AP Modern European History - (A)
F) S1 - Literature and Philosophy - (A+) / S2 - Understanding Modern Man - TBD
G) S1 - Ethics and Morality (mandatory course) - (A) / S2 - S.W.A.T.</p>

<p>SAT (1600): 1440/1600
Critical Reading: 740
Math: 700</p>

<p>SAT (2400): 2180/2400
- Critical Reading: 740
- Math: 700
- Writing: 740 </p>

<p>Highest Single Test SAT (2400): 2130
- Critical Reading: 740
- Math: 700
- Writing: 690</p>

<p>ACT: 28 (not going to submit it anywhere</p>

<p>SAT IIs: (Took Literature, US History, and Math I today)</p>

<p>Recommendations: Presumably solid from two teachers who have never had issues with me.</p>

<hr>

<p>Extra Cirriculars</p>

<ul>
<li>Robotics Club (10,11,12) -</li>
<li>Time Commitment: 5+ Hours/Week. 40 Weeks/Year </li>
<li>Team Success (22/42 at State Championships Sophmore Year, 2/16 first competition of junior year. Qualified for World Championships and went 2-4 in matches)</li>
<li>Team Awards (Excellence Award - TNT Junior Year / Judge's Award - TNT Senior Year)</li>
<li><p>Notable Information: Hosting tournament this year in the program's third year.</p></li>
<li><p>Model UN (11, 12) - (3 comeptitions junior year / 3 competitions senior year) </p></li>
<li><p>Time Commitment: Only about 6 weeks of actual work, but competitions average 3 days and 16 hours of in-committee time. This doesn't include preparation time.</p></li>
<li><p>Personal Award - Distinguished Delegate (Otto Kuusinen, CentComm Committee - GatorMUN VI)</p></li>
<li><p>Personal Award - Best Position Paper (Laos, APEC Committee - KnightMUN VII)</p></li>
<li><p>Personal Award - Honorable Mention (Romania, European Union Committee - KnightMUN VIII) </p></li>
<li><p>Team Success: (2nd place for Mid-Sized Schools at GatorMUN VI)</p></li>
<li><p>Sports Announcer (11, 12)</p></li>
<li><p>Time Commitment: 6 Football games done at 8 hrs. per game. Going to do baseball games (approximatley 10) at 5 hours a piece during spring.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports Analysis Club (11, 12)</p></li>
<li><p>Time Commitment - Approximatley 1.5 - 2 Hours/Week. 40 Weeks/Year</p></li>
<li><p>Leadership - One of the founding members</p></li>
<li><p>General Notes: (We have started what seems to be a tradition which is quarterly dodgeball tournaments, raising money to give as prize money for other contests we hold throughout the year).</p></li>
<li><p>Philosophy Club (11, 12)</p></li>
<li><p>Leadership - President during senior year</p></li>
<li><p>Time Commitment: Approximatley 1.5 - 2 Hours/Week. 40 Weeks/Year</p></li>
<li><p>General Notes: (Holds discussions about everything to political theory to the running of the school its members attend. As president, duties include moderating discussions, preparing background information, and finding speakers to come into club.)</p></li>
<li><p>Prefect (12)</p></li>
<li><p>General Description: (A leadership position only available to seniors. Chosen to enforce certain rules and attend all school functions, running a few and contributing to ideas which, in theory, should make the school better. Theoretically carry the same authority as faculty.)</p></li>
<li><p>Time Commitment: Approximatley 2.5 Hours/Week. 40 Weeks/Year</p></li>
<li><p>Investment Club (11, 12)</p></li>
<li><p>Leadership: Co-Vice President Senior Year</p></li>
<li><p>Time Commitment: Approximatley 1.5 Hours/Wekk. 40 Weeks/Year</p></li>
<li><p>General Description: (The investment club's main goal is to participate in two stock market simulations per year. This year, in the clubs' third year, we are building a charity idea where we raise money, invest it, and donate it either to the school/the senior class/or another charity. As I'm in a leadership position I do demonstrations on certain tenants of investment and help broker certain club ambitions with the administration.)</p></li>
</ul>

<hr>

<p>Community Service</p>

<ul>
<li>Teen Court (11, 12)</li>
<li>Short Description: Students hear the cases of teens who have admitted wrongdoing and take this option as an alternative to Juvy. Also help out for the local Truency Court division. Can participate as either a lawyer or a juror.</li>
<li>Hours:</li>
<li>17.5 hours (11th)</li>
<li><p>35-50 hours (12th) - ((expected. 2.5 hours per meeting, twice a week, will have a car by next year)).</p></li>
<li><p>S.W.A.T (11, 12)</p></li>
<li><p>Short Description: The acronym literally means Students Working to Advance Technology. As my school is a laptop school, this group helps the school's technicians in laptop repairs. Once a week (or more) a student goes into the Help Desk in one of their free periods and helps out.</p></li>
<li><p>Hours:</p></li>
<li><p>11 hours (11th)</p></li>
<li><p>25-40 hours (12th) - ((expected: Going to dedicate twice a week to it, and have already started on hours for next year this year.))</p></li>
<li><p>Hope Children's Home Thrift Store (9, 10)</p></li>
<li><p>Short Description: Typical jobs you'd find in any store; worked at the thrift store run by the local Oprhanage.</p></li>
<li><p>Hours:</p></li>
<li><p>24 hours (9th)</p></li>
<li><p>22 hours (10th)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Total Expected Hours: (125 - 150)</p>

<p>Work Experience: None</p>

<hr>

<p>Schools (No Particular Order)
1) Claremont McKenna
2) Rice
3) Emory
4) Washington University in St. Louis
5) Davidson
6) Richmond
7) Elon
8) American
9) Furman
10) UCF</p>

2

<p>I honestly feel you will get in to all of those schools :)</p>

<p>Chance Back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/805737-columbia-college-chicago.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/805737-columbia-college-chicago.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>You commented on my list and said UNC is a high reach, my brother got in with lower SATs and GPA but I highly appreciate it, so thanks :). My friend got into furman with 1260, your a shoe in</p>

<p>1) Claremont McKenna - never heard of it so i’d say your in
2) Rice - decently strong
3) Emory - strong
4) Washington University in St. Louis - really tuff school but I’d say you have a good chance
5) Davidson - Liberal Arts School so its kinda wierd, high 1400s SATs but I bet you have a decent chance
6) Richmond - dont really know of it
7) Elon - At least half tuition?
8) American - pretty good
9) Furman - In
10) UCF - sorry never heard of it, I’m pretty ignorant outside of the schools i’m applying to, i bet its famous though</p>

<p>If i were you, I’d go for some reaches man</p>

4

<p>Did I say high reach? I think I meant to say High Match, but I was thinking Low Reach. Thank you for chancing though. UCF is Central Florida (3rd largest school in the nation though =p) yeah, its my safety. Thanks again.</p>

5

<p>In everywhere</p>

6

<p>1) Claremont McKenna-Low Reach
2) Rice-Low Reach
3) Emory-High Match
4) Washington University in St. Louis-Low Reach
5) Davidson-High Match/Low Reach
6) Richmond-In
7) Elon-In
8) American-In
9) Furman-In
10) UCF-In </p>

<p>Judging by your ECs, you seem to be a tremendous fit for CMC by the way. You’ll probably get into at least two of 1-5 and you should get in everywhere else barring some yield protection or something.</p>

7

<p>You actually said low reach but I thought you had said high reach, to be honest I’m completely new here and don’t really konw what all that means. All I know is what reach means lol. About the UCF, I actually do know of it well but didn’t know it by its abreviation. My friend just got in and he told me it was the 3rd largest lol, but after talking to my friend here are his stats - 1220 Sats, 3.5 gpa from very competitive school but with easy classes, and he got in real fast so I guess he was kinda shoo in. I know youll be fine for there. BTW, he only took 2 AP classes</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the school-by-school, TheAJAY. I see you are at Claremont. Because I’m in Florida I haven’t had a chance to visit, but I was actually born in Long Beach and have spent some time on the west coast and, barring the cost of living, like it, and from what I hear the city of Claremont is a place that would agree with me. At this point it is pretty much whoever decides to give the most need-based aid, but all the info I have on Claremont makes me feel it’d be a great fit for me as well.</p>

9

<p>Yeah, by your ECs it’s pretty obvious you’re an excellent fit for CMC. Also, CMC is incredibly generous with financial aid and has adopted a no loan policy so if you get in, you’re aid package should be very favorable. Best of luck and feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions about the school!</p>

10

<p>great stats, only washington university might be a mid reach.
good luck!</p>

<p>chance me back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/806842-chance-me-lacs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/806842-chance-me-lacs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>in everywhere except rice, mid-reach for there. The fact that you’re first gen. helps you a ton.</p>

12

<p>In everywhere.</p>

<p>Rice and Emory will attract fairly strong applicants although first gen will help.</p>

13

<p>I think you can get into all of them in my opinion. UCF is a DONE deal, I know people in my school going there with not even HALF the EC’s or grades you have. I think you could try higher if you wanted, your really impressive.</p>

14

<p>Thanks. I live in Tampa and have pretty extensive connections with UCF (former classmates/MUN team/etc.) and with bright futures and florida prepaid I would be getting paid to go there. If I go there it would be because of the price and I would go into the honors college. Trust me, the only reason I’m even considering half of these schools is because the October SAT was an absolute breeze, I was in the weeds at these places with my nice little 2030 beforehand =p.</p>

15

<p>oh cool. Florida prepaid? I should look that up XD. Im in hollywood. Bright futures is just given or do you apply? I always wondered that. I would think about applying to UCF, but seeing how many students from my school are going, I dont want to run into them so I am not applying.</p>

16

<p>=p Everyone from my school goes to either Florida State or Florida, it changes every year, so, given UCF’s size, I won’t run into anyone. Out of all the state schools I’ve seen in Florida, UCF agreed with me most. Its still expanding so most of the facilities are nice and new, the campus is more enclosed and walking around you really don’t feel like there are 40,000+ kids going there. It just worked for me on a deeper level than Florida State or <em>shudders</em> UF… did.</p>

<p>Florida Prepaid is a program where your parents can pay like 15,000 dollars in advance and if you decide to go to any Florida public university it will cover tuition and (I think) room & board. For bright futures, as far as I know, if you have the required test scores (1270/1600 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT) and the mandatory community service hours (I think it is 88, my school wont let us graduate without meeting the hour requirement for bright futures) then you automatically receive the 2500 yearly scholarship to any florida school (public or not). It is definatley a pretty good deal.</p>

17

<p>Oh its 27 on ACT? I thought it was 28. 88 hours? crap Im like 13 short. Need to go get some more.
I loled at your response to UF. I dont think its terrible, just big. My sister goes there so if go there I will see her which is a big plus. I just wish it had a big city. (I like NYU and UChicago cause it has big cities and stuff).</p>

18

<p>I’m not sure about Rice and Wash, but Emory and American sound like matches–I know people who went to both and they had similar stats. Also, being Romanian will help since you can speak the language, and even more if you were born in Romania. SAT scores are strong and above average for most of your schools. Make sure to write your essays well and have them checked by reliable people. Your ECs and volunteering are strong, as is your GPA.</p>

19

<p>dude…youll probably get in to any of those…especially UCF. From what I can see, you have great EC’s…and your SATs are spot on. I wish I had SAT scores like that…haha… But I do think it’s a bit odd how you don’t have weighted GPA or a class rank…I knew some schools neglected those, but it’s so wierd seeing it put in action…haha…but I think you’ll have great success with many of those schools :)</p>

20

<p>Thanks for the positive support, hope its the case. Thank god my school doesn’t do class rank because my GPA (at 3.7 last year) wasn’t high enough to even qualify for NHS at my school. There was a girl with a 3.92 who didn’t get into NHS. I’m probably in the 30% range in terms of GPA at the school, that’d take me out of contention at some of these places really quick =p.</p>