Should I Bother Applying to JHU RD?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

<p>Ethnicity: Mexican/White
High School: 98th in United States (about 10% of us get into Ivy Leagues/equivalent or better)
Major: Neuroscience
GPA (lower numbers explained later, but they still are here): 3.4 UW, 4.03 W, slight downward trend, but leap in Senior year, close to top 10% rank, if not in it.
SATs: 2070 superscored (680 CR, 720 M, 670 W), 2020 (1390) for highest single taking, taking once more in December.
ACT: 31
SAT 2: Biology: 720, Math I: 760, Lit: 620
AP: Psychology: 5, European History: 4, Macroeconomics: 4, Government: 4, Physics: 3, Calculus: 3, Language: 5</p>

<p>Courses (One of the heaviest loads available):
Freshman year: H English, H World History, H Algebra 2, H Bio, Latin 2, Intro to law, Comp Graphics
Sophomore: H English, H Am History, H Latin 3, H Analysis, H Chem, AP Psych
Junior: AP Language, AP Economics/Government, AP Physics, AP European History, AP Calculus, Latin 4
Senior: AP Literature, AP Latin (Literature), AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, AP American History, Law Seminar, Ceramics (required art course)</p>

<p>EC:
-Key Club (Officer - in charge of website creation/management and organizing events)
-Latin Club (Officer - help with all Latin club projects)
-Tennis Team (Captain - Senior Year, our team is #6 in state)
-Table Tennis Club (Founder/President)
-Latin Honors Society (tutoring)
-National Latin Exam Gold Medalist for 5 straight years (got a free dictionary as a reward, awesome!)
-REPP (Ridge Encouragement for Political Participation)
-Participated in state-wide math contests (perfect scores on some, debating whether to mention or not)
-Science club all four years (biology, chem, physics state competitions - no real significant awards)
-Economics Club
-Served dinner at a retirement home (job/100 hours)
-Worked at the town pool (75 hours)
-Volunteered at the VA Hospital (320 hours)
-Volunteered at homeless shelter (160 hours)
-Various volunteer activities from Key Club outside of school, including Homeless Shelters, creating a prom dance for senior citizens, setting up various fundraisers (estimating about 120 hours)
-National AP Scholar with distinction</p>

<p>Letters: GC- amazing, me and her share a connection with our interests, she always talks about how much I have matured and think in a logical manner; Teachers- 1 awesome, 1 okay (my two favorite teachers chose randomly since so many students asked, of course I did not get chosen.)
Essay: Good (unique, to me at least, it has to do with my philosophy about life, and my central focus of helping elderly and it somehow relates to my major, not going to say it is one of the best essays ever written, but I still feel it is unique)
Hook: Umm...well, I am Mexican? I'm only partially, but the culture is prevalent in my life, and URMs for the win?
Issue: My parents got a divorce which affected my Sophomore and Junior gpa a lot, which devastated me for a while. My guidance counselor is explaining in her letter how the divorce hit me really hard economically/socially at first, but ultimately led to my more mature and logical approach to life (which it really did).</p>

<p>I visited JHU and I really loved it, but I am not sure if I should bother applying. It was between them and Cornell for ED, but I would still love to go to JHU. Thanks for any responses!</p>

2

<p>It’s an uphill climb in RD @ any mega-selective, but give it a whirl - you never know what they are looking for. Their Neuroscience department is best in the world. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Any other opinions?</p>

4

<p>Dude, you totally remind me of one of my friends who is Mexican and is a neuroscience major. You have such a ridiculously good package. I mean, if JHU is what you like, Why not apply… I mean, neuroscience isn’t bad here, plus you want to keep your options wide open. This is your future we are talking about. I would give Hopkins a try if I were you. What are the biggest reasons why you are not going to apply to JHU</p>

5

<p>Umm…the main reason I am considering not applying is because I don’t think I have a realistic chance to get in. My gpa is very low compared to JHU’s standard, and believe me, I do not have doubts about the neuroscience department there. Also, our income is at the level that is just above the point where we probably will not get any need-based aid, so price can be a problem too.</p>

<p>But anyway, if you really think I have a shot here, I will definitely reconsider!</p>

6

<p>We went to an info session on JHU recently, and we thought, wow, why not apply, the worst that can happen is that he wouldn’t get in. There are actually many regular kids there, and they look like they have a lot of fun. The presenter was very enthusiastic, and we got the feeling of a great community, rather than the cutthroat atmosphere that we expected. My son is an average student, and he may not get in, but dare to dream. It could happen!</p>