So I know I am being a masochist but....

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>My daughter came up with a list of schools to apply to, with some input from us, and we were all pretty satisfied with the end result. But now, as the application time is upon us, she and I are both starting to worry that she may be over-reaching. We are pretty certain she will get into University of Vermont and American (her "safeties"), but would appreciate some feedback on her other choices.</p>

<p>Here are her stats:</p>

<p>Schools applying to:</p>

<p>Brown (ED, legacy)
Northwestern
WashU
Wesleyan
Vassar
Bowdoin
Colby
Carleton
American
University of Vermont</p>

<p>Very competitive large public HS in the Washington D.C. area - sends a handful of students to each Ivy each year and many other top schools</p>

<p>GPA: 3.85 (UW), around 4.2 (W) (all As and A-s throughout HS)
HS does not rank</p>

<p>SATs: 770 CR, 690 M, 750 W</p>

<p>SAT IIs: 760 French; 800 US History</p>

<p>3 APs so far (US History, World History, Statistics -- all 5s)
Taking 2 more this year (French and Human Geography)
That is about average for the top students at her school -- though many take APs in the sciences and math, which she has chosen not to do since she really does not much like math or science. Her lack of calculus -- she is taking Trig this year -- is probably the biggest blemish on her school record. Otherwise she has taken 4 years of a foreign language, science, math and English and more than 4 years (5.5?) of history/social studies. She has taken honors classes wherever offered.</p>

<p>ECs are pretty average:</p>

<p>She has been a competitve skater since she was 6, devoting a great deal of time to it. She is quite good, but only on a regional/local basis. No impressive awards.</p>

<p>She has spent the last three years volunteering with disabled children (over 600 hours), and has other more minor activities in that field.</p>

<p>She had an internship last year with a human rights organization.</p>

<p>She was an active volunteer in the presidential election campaign. </p>

<p>She has worked 20 hours per week for the past 2 years.</p>

<p>Otherwise, she participates in the usual HS clubs, school paper (assistant editor), plays piano, did a summer language immersion program, etc.</p>

<p>No huge awards -- NM Commended Student, AP Scholar, language prizes, school book award</p>

<p>She will not be applying for financial aid. </p>

<p>Except for her legacy at Brown, she has no other "hooks."</p>

<p>Her recs should be pretty good, and her essays are interesting, well-written and, what's more, say a lot about her, I think.</p>

<p>So what do you all think? Are we being paranoid or have we over-shot?</p>

2

<p>Anyone? I would really appreciate some feedback. Thanks.</p>

3

<p>With the exception of your safeties, I’d say it’s a crapshoot anywhere. Her GPA’s low for most of those places, but honestly, if you apply to all of them early enough, she’s bound to get into one of them. And given her connections at Brown, I’d say your mind can be put relatively at-ease. Wish her luck!</p>

4

<p>Thanks a lot. Anyone else?</p>

5

<p>As you said, in at American and Vermont. A good chance at Vassar and Washington, as for me, but I am far from an expert. ^^</p>

6

<p>At the top schools, much will depend on how she stacks up against her classmates. The school gives the colleges enough info to see where she ranks and the counselor will rank the rigor of her course load against that of her classmates.</p>

<p>Her classmates are her first line of competition.</p>