The Argument

<p>Hello everyone. A friend and I were having an argument over admissions chances, and when I stumbled across this site, I thought I should put the question to you.</p>

<p>The situation is this: My friend (I shall call him Donald) is convinced that by applying to all 8 Ivy League schools he stands a chance at getting into at least one of them. I think Donald doesn't realize just how competitive they are, and how unlikely it is either of us would get into one. In the small, rural pacific northwest school we attend, we are both top students in our class. Donald is an only child in a solidly middle class family. While he is involved in and officer of quite the variety of extra curriculars, from honor society to drama and science club, and is president of the student council, he has no awards or distinctions, and minimal community service. He scored a 2050 on the SAT, and hasn't taken any subject tests. He has taken the most challenging courses at our school, but with only two AP's available, it isn't that difficult. Other than that, he has no "hooks", and is a slightly above average essay writer.</p>

<p>I told him that applying to ivy league schools would be a waste of the money paid in admissions fees. However, he insists that his being from a rural area would help, and that being from the northwest would mean a less selective applicant pool. Also, he took advantage of all the opportunities directly available to him at school. And he is first-generation college student. What more could they want? Sometimes his argument is convincing, and I wonder whether I shouldn't reconsider my own school selections (I have very similar stats). But before I do, I wanted your input. What do you think? Is Donald right, or am I?</p>

<p>Thanks for your help.</p>

<p>Donlad is right.</p>

<p>Now, the rural factor will help you, but not as much as Donald would like.</p>

<p>The SAT score is a bit low, but that can easily (well with hard work) be cahnged to a great score of a 2200+, and suddenly your chances increase dramatically. ALso, considering the essays and recs are great, I don't see why not.</p>

<p>i think Donald is wrong....when its that high at the Ivy league schools its all up to chance and random things....there are many ppl who are more qualified than Donald who will be applying.....unless he has something very special going for him, the rural factor will not be THAT special, then he has a chance but not as a good one that he thinks.....at the ivy league schools they accept one person and reject his 10 clones....its very random at that tier of college</p>

<p>I think that both of you have better than average chances at Ivies. I know that Harvard has a hard time attracting applicants from the Pacific NW. In addition, places like Harvard have a hard time attracting rural applicants.</p>

<p>I do think, however, it's a mistake to apply to all 8 Ivies. My thoughts are that a person who does that is more interested in prestige than in what the college offer, and the person's application will reflect that perspective, which will hurt the applicant.</p>

<p>Your friend's being first generation college and also taking advantage of all of the opportunities at his school also are plusses. I agree with him that it's a good idea to apply to some Ivies. I just think that he should not apply to all, but should apply to Ivies and similar schools that meet his interests for a colllege education. Of course, he also should apply to safety and match schools. If he wants to go East, he'd be wise to select some safety and matches that are on the East Coast. He'd also be wise to study for the SAT and raise his scores.</p>

<p>Thanks for your input. I suppose there is no definitive answer if neither of us is necessarily right nor wrong. I guess it depends on how important geography is, and whether it would overcome low SAT scores or not. Anyone else?</p>

<p>I think he should do it if he has the cash and applys to a lot of other schools. He is old enough to make his own decisions - and quite frankly, I see no negatives besides drowning admissions fees which is obviously not a concern. Post the results in winter/spring/summer. The Ivy league could open many doors to him - and at worst he could write a cool article for the local newspaper and have a cool story for his grandkids. Why are you so concerned? If he has the cash and lets say he gets into one that would be awesome.</p>