Terrible GPA Applicant chancing UChicago and others

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Crossposted from UChicago forum, for visibility.</p>

<p>Asian Male from competitive suburban school of Twin Cities (Minnesota):</p>

<p>SAT: 800 Math; 710 Verbal; 680 Writing (2190)
SATII: 800 MathII; 800 Physics; 800 Chemistry
AP Testing (* denotes self-study):
Freshmen Year:
5 Stats
5 CompSci
5 Calc AB*</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
5 Calc BC*
4 Biology
4 European History</p>

<p>Junior Year:
5 Chemistry
5 Physics B*
5 Physics C Mech*
5 Physics C E+M*
5 Music Theory*
5 Comparative Government
4 US Government
4 Macroecon*
4 Microecon*
4 US History</p>

<p>Senior Year: (planned)
English Literature
English Composition*
Chinese*
Environmental Science*
Human Geography*</p>

<p>At some point in Junior year, self-studied Multi variable integral calculus.
Senior Courseload; College classes are at University of Minnesota:</p>

<pre><code>AP Literature
Senior Required Sociology class
MATH 5615 Honors Introduction to Analysis I
//
MATH 5616 Honors Introduction to Analysis II
MATH 5286 Honors Fundamental Structures of Algebra II
ECON 3102 Intermediate Microeconomics
CHEM 3502 Physical Chemistry II
PHYS 4002 Electricity and Magnetism
</code></pre>

<p>Grade in MATH 5615 will likely be an A.</p>

<p>GPA: Abysmal - 10.0/12.0 unweighted; 11.5/12.0 weighted
School does not give rank. Probably in the bottom 30th percentile (or the top 70th percentile, as I'd like to call it).
This GPA is bad due to several reasons:
1. Compared to other students, I tend to self-study AP tests, which does not take advantage of weighted grade points.
2. I have B's in most classes.
3. I have a D in non-AP/Honors composition, due to bad teacher; C in AP Chemistry; and C in AP Comparative Government. Note: These are the classes which I got a 5 on the corresponding AP tests.
4. The median grade is an A- at this school.</p>

<p>Activities:
Math Team:
(team) 1st place (9th, 10th) 3rd place (11th)
(individual) 2nd place (11th)
Invited to Minnesota Gold ARML Team
AMC12: 133.5
AIME: 7 - after 3 dumb mistakes
Attended USA/Canada Mathcamp 2006
Piano: random state-wide awards
Violin
US National Chemistry Olympiad: 4th in state - Failed to move on to nationals due to citizenship requirement
Debate; semifinalist at random local tournaments
Quiz Blow
National Merit Semifinalist
Minimal Volunteering/Leadership/Work Experience</p>

<p>Essays: average; can be very good if desperately necessary
Counselor Recommendation: Very bad; new counselor on the job for 3 months
Math Teacher Recommendation: Bad; teacher can't write
English Teacher Recommendation: Bad; I don't think she regards me highly</p>

<p>Skills:
Works regularly with C/C++, Python, LaTeX, and UNIX environments.</p>

<p>What are my chances, with the low GPA to: (in no particular order)</p>

<p>University of Minnesota Twin Cities (safety, already accepted)
UChicago (first choice)
Reed
Harvey Mudd
Swarthmore
UMichigan Ann Arbor
UWisconsin
UPenn</p>

<p>The rest are random, not schools I am seriously considering; used for ballpark figures.
Duke
Berkley
CMellon
Carlton
Caltech
Northwestern
...
Any other schools with strong math programs.</p>

<p>Thanks! Thoughts are highly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>What a background. I think that you will be in at Chicago, Reed, Harvey Mudd, and any slightly geeky and quirky place. It sounds as if you do not like high school, but that you are extremely intelligent and capable and can apply yourself. Can you get a recommendation from someone who likes you and will give a good one? Otherwise, I am worried that schools will think that you have an attitude, thought that you were too smart for high school, etc. Maybe one of your college level instructors can write one. For your random schools- I think that you would be in at most. Maybe not at Duke, though. Caltech and Carnegie Mellon, yes.</p>

3

<p>sounds like you are a good fit for mudd. we've got quite a bit of people here like you.</p>

4

<p>Reed will indeed sometimes take a chance on a student with high SAT and low GPA (but weighted 3.83/4.0 is above 33%ile for Reed, not excluding). Your essay will be very important, and you should try to get positive recommendations. If you are interested in Reed (find out all you can), you need to show it; a campus visit (preferrably overnight) is important, as is the interview.</p>

5

<p>U Chicago is a great place for you to apply because their admissions office is more flexible and holistic than others. You'll have to write great essays, though. Your great test scores will likely carry the day at Wisconsin. The other<br>
colleges will be tough going if the recommendations are as bad as you say.</p>

6

<p>yeah
i think u hae a great shot at chicago...if u have great essays...
ur gpa is low
but
they will be incredibly impressed with ap scores
umm
and u come from a school where the average is an a-
freajin gniues school if u ask me</p>

7

<p>You took Calculus freshman year? What the hell?</p>

<p>You had to have independently studied that, right?</p>

8

<p>kezyxes:</p>

<p>UCB: Match (out of state)</p>

9

<p>Revived from the dead.</p>

<p>Anyone want to give a % for UChicago?</p>