Ways to gussy up for Brown?

Applying to College
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<p>I didn't think this quite belonged in the "what are my chances?" subforum, but sorry if this isn't the right place for this anyways.</p>

<p>I'm a junior, and I just visited Brown and realized that I'm in love with the school. I think I've got a nice app coming together, but as I'm just starting the putting-together process, I'm looking for advice on anything I could do to make it "prettier" for reps.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.9 unweighted
SAT I: 2150 combined, 700/700/750
SAT II: taking in May
AP: I took AP English III and AP US II this year, and I expect to do pretty well on the exams. For "challenge rating," the only other AP I could have taken in my math/language/science tracks was AP Physics B (it's a survey course), but I've established pretty clearly that I'm interested in writing, not hardcore math sciences. It's also clear that Honors Physics is a very challenging course for me.</p>

<p>The interesting stuff:
MUSIC
-have been playing trombone since the 4th grade
-got into middle school jazz band in grade 7
-beat a junior to second chair in high school jazz band as a freshman, got first chair this year
-have been doing marching band since freshman year, got section leader this year as well (leadership, yay)
-participated in pit band last year
-have been self-teaching music theory since course was not offered at school (music teacher helping every so often)
-self-taught bassist
ECs
-have been doing Tae Kwon Do since 6th grade; got my black belt sophomore year
-have been working at the YMCA teaching swim since December of sophomore year. my mom thinks this could help with the whole leadership/service aspect since I don't have any significant community service contributions to boast of...</p>

<p>Also, I went to Harvard Model Congress this year. </p>

<p>Recommendations: Since my current history teacher (I'll have him next year too) really sparked my love for the subject, if not writing, I think asking him is a good idea. He also taught college (NYU), so that could help. Also, this is what I'd like advice on - I'm thinking of asking my music teacher for a letter. I've had him for the longest out of all my teachers, he was the marching band director frosh/soph years, and he's grown to be a sort of family friend. Should I go for it? Since I don't do a school sport, would that be the equivalent of a coach?</p>

<p>I don't think I forgot anything - let me know if I did, I'll fill it in. </p>

<p>Oh, I'm white, too. Jewish, with a Hebrew last name, so that could help, but white.</p>

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<p>You should get two academic recs, and then your music teacher’s could be in addition to that.</p>

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<p>You think so? I guess I could; not sure that anyone but my English teacher could write a good one for me. Even then, it wouldn’t be outstanding, per se; I picked music and history because I have a good relationship with them both in and out of school (marching band / HMC).</p>

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<p>Oh, and I’ve also sent in my SAT scores early and put myself on the mailing list. Since they don’t do registered tours, what else can I do to display interest? I’m considering applying early, but I dunno yet.</p>

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<p>I actually just did a tour with them and had a student there take me to classes. I, too, fell in love with the school :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Sending your SAT scores early isn’t the best idea, especially since you should consider taking them again.</p>

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<p>Well, too late, lol. I’m happy with those scores - they’re considerably higher than my PSATs, and they’re above the median scores that Brown reports.</p>

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<p>I don’t think being Jewish is going to help considering the adcoms are usually quite liberal.</p>

<p>I would retake those SATs if you want to improve your chances. Also make sure you have 10-12 AP classes upon graduation.</p>

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<p>I haven’t had the opportunity to take 10-12 APs. We can only start Junior year, and even then it’s about half of the subjects available.</p>

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<p>just self study them… that is what everyone does nowadays.</p>

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<p>I was under the impression that the idea was to do ECs so I wouldn’t be self-studying APs in all my free time. </p>

<p>That doesn’t look like I’m challenging myself - that looks like I’m trying too hard…</p>

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<p>^ Hate to break it to you, but a lot of kids can handle both time consuming EC’s and self studying AP’s :confused: it’s insane, but true…</p>

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<p>Also, @ retaking SATs: I don’t see the point when 2150 is better than 50% of Brown students (median composite 2135)…</p>

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<p>Doing ECs =/= having a life, and I’ve been hearing that reps understand that… </p>

<p>Either way, I don’t mean to shoot down all the advice I’ve been given - I’m just flustered because this is going against everything I’ve read, been told, and been advised by guidance, etc.</p>

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<p>yea but half the kids are urm/legacy/development/athlete… they bring the median down.</p>

<p>for people like u the standards r higher.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t really think of Brown as a place of impressive athletics, but whatever. </p>

<p>Even not looking at the median, the middle 50% of students puts me right in the middle with SAT I.</p>

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<p>That’s stupid advice, unless you’ve technically been ABLE to take 10 AP’s up until this point. You’re only expected to exhaust what’s available to you, not tool it out. If you think this is a lie, look at lots of schools in NY. A lot of them limit or cut out AP’s from the curriculum recently, yet they still have lots of kids getting into Brown.</p>

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<p>I’m a Brown grad and do alumni interviewing. You’re doing exactly what you need to be doing, and you sound like the kind of kid Brown would love to have. That said, it’s tough to get into, so find some other schools. Life will not end if you don’t get into Brown.</p>

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<p>The essay matters A LOT! ado something different!
Your sat score is alright, though its only better if it could go higher. - but i got in with a lower score.</p>

<p>-2015 admit</p>

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<p>@ Lapras: Yeah, I’m taking six total. I probably would have been able to take eight, but AP Physics B is obviously a bad choice for me, and loading on five APs senior year is not my idea of fun, nor would it look that great compared to four.</p>

<p>@ qialah: Thanks! :smiley: And I know, I’m already in love with NYU too - not to mention that I have some serious legacy going for BU. I have options, it’s just that academically, Brown is really my best fit.</p>

<p>@ Aj: Yeah, I figured – I’m going to be spending a lot of time on those. After my current English AP test, we’re going to be starting our essays in class, and I’ll be working on it over the summer. </p>

<p>And I know that my score COULD be higher. But I’m just happy that I got that in one shot; I’m honestly not sure I could GET it higher if I took it again. The math score (700) was honestly luck. </p>

<p>Thanks guys :slight_smile: My other question was about service. Since I don’t do anything serious in terms of community activity other than teaching swim (does that earn me brownie points? the YMCA is pretty service-y) and helping teach tae kwon do, I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for me in that realm.</p>