To the most honourable Brown students: how can I get in?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Brown University
1

<p>The most honourable Ivy League Brown students of 2011,
I am a pathetic, if not despicable, newly-admitted UCLA undergrad, class of 2012. I have already determine that UCLA is not my ideal school, because my major, business economics, is a bad major in UCLA, plus UCLA is not that good anyways. I feel greatly ashamed that I did not apply to Brown several months ago. Therefore, I am planning to get out of UCLA as soon as possbile and hopefully I can transfer to Brown or any other Ivies by this time next year. So, I want to know more about the requirements and secrets of how to get in Brown. I wonder what kind of classes and activities I should have in order to get in. Thank you very much!</p>

<p>Here is my info (as of today, right before college starts):</p>

<p>High School Class Rank: Valedictorian
High School Class Size: 420
Unweighted GPA: 4.00
Weighted GPA: 4.33
ACT: 28
SAT Critical Reading: 560 (highest ever)
SAT Math: 780 (highest ever)
SAT Writing: 710 (highest ever)
Highest ever single SAT: 1980 (Reading 550, Math 720, Writing 710 w/essay score 10)</p>

<p>SAT II Math II: 720
SAT II Physics: 780
SAT II US History: 770</p>

<p>AP Calculus AB: 5
AP Calculus BC: 4
AP Chemistry: 5
AP Chinese: 5
AP Comparative Government: 4
AP English Literature: 3
AP European History: 5
AP Physics B: 5
AP Physics C: 4
AP US History: 5
AP World History: 5</p>

<p>Awards and Extracurriculars
College Awards (before entering):
UCLA Scholarship Recognition Award
UCLA Honors Program</p>

<p>High School Awards:
Valedictorian Award
California Scholarship Life Membership
AP National Scholar 2008
AP Scholar with Distinction 2007
History Department Award
Bank of America Physics Certificate
Bank of America English Certificate
President’s Volunteer Service Award
High School Alumni Award
Finance Academy Graduation Certificate
California Golden State Examination Honour</p>

<p>Activities:
California Scholarship Federation (volunteer organization, including extensive peer tutoring and monthly zoo clean-up)
8-week Summer internship at Wells Fargo Bank, 2007
103 hrs of volunteer at Laguna Honda Hospital (2006)
40 hrs of volunteer at Gordon J. Lau Elementary School (2006)
44 hrs of volunteer at Exploratorium science museum (2005)
AP Club member (12th grade)
Physics Club member (11th grade)
Math Club member (9th - 11th grade)</p>

<p>In conclusion, I am very depressed that I didn’t get in any desired schools (i.e. Ivy Leagues or Stanford). Even Berkeley rejected me. I am stuck in UCLA, only because I have no where else to go. I can work my butt off next year if it can make me get out of LA and go to the most honourable Brown. Oh I feel really bad about my SAT score. I know 1980 is considered a very low score to any Ivy League school, but there’s nothing more I can do about it. I came to this country in late 2003. I don’t know.
Please tell me what I should do. Thank you!
PS: Can anyone tell me which major I should choose when I apply as transfer?</p>

2

<p>first you need to get over the idea that ivies are the best. there are plenty of schools – stanford, mit, caltech, duke – that are not “ivies” and are just as good</p>

<p>second, free yourself from the delusion that there is a magic trick to get you into a good school. there isn’t. instead, there is a set of strategies that you can use to make your application the best reflection of you as possible. that is the only magic trick to speak of. </p>

<p>third, you need to accept your current situation and enjoy UCLA. You may like it, you may not. but you can make the most of your time there. work to transfer, but enjoy your time. you only get 4 years of college (unless you are me, mwah)</p>

<p>it doesn’t matter what major you specify, at least at brown. you don’t apply to a major. </p>

<p>there is something you can do for the SAT’s. study for and retake them. there are good books, programs, classes, and tutors out there. it’s a beatable game. your scores are low enough to be prohibitive in most cases. </p>

<p>pick a normal courseload, around 15 or 16 credits. don’t overtax yourself because grades are very important. don’t undertax yourself because managing a college courseload is important too. activites become less important once you get to college. pick hte ones you want to do. </p>

<p>pm or im me, we can talk further.</p>