The 1000th "Chance Me" Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Binghamton University - SUNY
1

<p>School: The Bronx High School of Science (NYC)
GPA: 80.96/100 - Unweighted (School does NOT weigh grades and does NOT rank students)
-----> Junior year is by far the best year of mine in High School; GPA was ~90 both terms, with 100 in Programming, 93 in Physics, 97 in US History..
-----> I am currently excelling in senior year. If I am at least deferred, I would have a chance to submit my midyear report.
*SAT Scores:<a href="">/b</a> 680 - Critical Reading
(*) 620 - Math</p>

<h2>(*) 650 - Writing</h2>

<p>1300/1600 & 1950/2400</p>

<p>AP / Honors / College-Level Courses (not many):
1. AP Computer Science A (100/100)
2. Organic Chemistry (85/100)</p>

<p>*Extra-Curricular Activities:<a href="">/b</a> Created podcast that was briefly featured on CNN.com (3 yrs ago)
(<em>) Created small-scale webhosting business with ~20 clients; used Paypal for billing and owned a server
(</em>) Have had my own blog on a .com since 2005, with various content
(<em>) Employed by financing firm during freshman year; created their website and setup their networking infrastructure
(</em>) Created webforum (community); sold for $200
(<em>) Built 3 computers from scratch
(</em>) Member of 10-member committee ("Student Cabinet") of students who basically run the student government.
(*) Created website for the Student Cabinet, and gave each member their own email address</p>

<p>College Application Essay:
Described my passion for technology, and had a quirky beginning which (I hope) captured the attention of the admissions officer so they would read through to the end. </p>

<p>*Extenuating Circumstances regarding poor performance (described in Counselor Recommendation):<a href="">/b</a> Father enrolled in medical school the summer before my freshman year. Due to his age, the only place he was accepted into was Ross University, which is located in Dominica. The only contact we had with him was the occasional video call. He was an important figure in my life, and he literally vanished within 2 weeks.
(<em>) Mother became extremely depressed as a result of my father's pursuit of education in the remote island of Dominica. She became withdrawn, and was no longer part of my life during most days. She became addicted to Ambien (sleeping medication), and took up the habit of smoking at the age of 40. She frequently vanished from the house for long periods of time.
(</em>) Junior Year: Father returned the summer before my junior year, but my mother continued her downward spiral, and in the April of my junior year her and my father began filing divorce papers. They were married for 18 years.</p>

<p>*Teacher Recommendations:<a href="">/b</a> Programming teacher (100/100 for both terms of the course; enrolled in AP version of that course this year)
(*) Physics teacher (93/100 & 94/100 for both terms of the course)</p>

<p>Information from Bronx Science students applying to Binghamton (collected from Naviance between 2003 and 2008):
Total Applicants: 1,150
Accepted Applicants: 766 (67%)
Denied Applicants: 179 (16%)
LOWEST Accepted (EA): 79.11
AVERAGE Accepted (EA): 90.26 </p>

<p><a href="http://www.mfimg.com/files/1029_dahld/scattergram.jpg%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.mfimg.com/files/1029_dahld/scattergram.jpg&lt;/a>
^ That's my image-hosting website, by the way. The "mf" stands for "Mark Forums", which was a webforum I previously owned. Please don't be afraid to click it for a scattergram of the above information.</p>

<p>Declared Major:
Computer Science</p>

<p>Yes, I know my chances are pretty abysmal, but I just wanted to see what other opinions might be. I understand that last year I would have had a bad chance, and that this year I have an even worse chance given the state of things. I applied Early Action to SUNY Stony Brook and SUNY Binghamton. I have made it abundantly clear to the respective admissions offices at both schools that I am extremely interested in attending. I am also applying to: SUNY Albany, and SUNY Buffalo.</p>

<p>Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this very long post, and I welcome whatever opinion you may have. I am already aware of the slim shot I have, and am prepared to transfer in after a freshman year at a CUNY.</p>

2

<p>Everything looks great besides for your GPA which Binghamton tends to place more weight on when making their decision. I would say you have a slight chance. Good luck.</p>

3

<p>I think you're ECs are really impressive. It'll be extra competitive this year but good luck.</p>

4

<p>you need to chill</p>

5

<p>I think you have a good chance at both schools - stony and binghamton. Your EC's are unique, and I think that you're extenuating circumstances make up for the lowish GPA. But considering the data taken from others from the same high school accepted into Binghamton... I still think you have a good chance. And applying to EA will only help these chances.</p>

<p>I wish you all the best!</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your helpful responses: sean256, PShap91, and Perfectedxchaos! :)</p>

<p>I sent (today) a packet of supplementary materials to the Binghamton Admissions office. It will be in their mailbox by 12pm tomorrow. Inside is a brochure about me (rather than a dull resume), and a series of full-page prints of websites I've created as well as a short letter thanking them for reviewing my application.</p>

<p>Ms. Sara Delmar (admissions counselor @ Binghamton) pointed out this packet is late, but she said she will try to get it processed ASAP so it makes the EA decisions date deadline.</p>

<p>Do you think this would make a difference in my chances at all? I mean, I don't think many people go this far to try to impress an admissions office.</p>

<p>Also -- for those of you applying for EA next year (or for Regular Admissions), here is a file of things I learned while on the phone with an admissions counselor at Binghamton. I take no liability for the accuracy of this document; verify anything you deem "questionable" and USE AT YOUR OWN RISK --</p>

<p>Binghamton</a> University EA Application Information</p>

7

<p>markopolo- I think that packet is very unique and will help you out a lot. Worst case scenario, you are deferred so that they are able to review the packet more thoroughly. Also, that word document is interesting. I'll agree with the disclaimer but wish to put number one on the hot seat for everyone.</p>

<p>"Sometimes students are deferred, but most times they are either accepted or denied".</p>

<p>I heard from the adcom that visited my school (don't wish to name this person) that new this year, they were NOT doing deferrals. Her explanation was that if students don't make the cut the first time around, they will not meet Bing's standards the second time. I found this extremely interesting but then called and was told that they WERE doing deferrals. So, I wonder if this year they are doing far less deferrals which makes the EA pool extremely competitive. A lot of qualified applicants from CC were deferred last year. This makes me believe that Bing realized how hectic their office was last year, and is wishing to alleviate some of the headaches by rejecting more people instead of deferring. Anyways, feel free to discuss.</p>

8

<p>Just as a side note- Any interactions I've had with ANY office over the phone at Binghamton has been really friendly and informative, compared to other phone calls I've had with other school's offices... and my hold time for any office at Binghamton was generally a LOT less than at other schools.</p>

<p>Weirdly enough, this fact did influence my decision a little bit. A friendly faculty and staff says a lot about a school. =)</p>

9

<p>I got in to the Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science!! :D</p>

<p>Btw- I was deferred from Stony Brook (choice #2). It just goes to show you how mysterious the college process is..</p>

10

<p>Very shocked about the Stony Brook deferral.
But, congratulations on Binghamton!
Are you going to be a bearcat?</p>

11

<p>I most certainly am! I sent the deposit on its way the same day I received the acceptance letter. :D</p>

12

<p>Or you could just go to a CC, and send in your transcripts.Then your done. No bullcrap, just grades. ahh, the beauty's of going to SUNY.</p>

13

<p>Perfectedxchaos, I was shocked, too. I received an acceptance letter from them the day after I received one from Binghamton, though.. which is odd, since I didn't send the Midyear Report yet.</p>

<p>I set up my PODS information today -- there's a TON Of stuff to research before I even visit the orientation! I'm a little annoyed that there's a 1 in my email username, though.. :p</p>

14

<p>So does this mean, you're definitely coming to Bing?!</p>

15

<p>YES! There's also a facebook group for accepted students:</p>

<p>Official</a> Binghamton University Class of 2013 | Facebook</p>

<p>along with these 2 events:
Login</a> | Facebook
Login</a> | Facebook</p>

<p>I'd say a lot of us accepted are really excited! :D</p>