What are my chances at these schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Schools:
* Brown
* Colby
* Columbia
* George Washington
* Georgetown
* Johns Hopkins
* Macalester
* Middlebury
* Skidmore
* Stanford
* Tufts
* Berkeley
* University of Chicago
* University of Georgia
* University of Virginia
* Vassar</p>

<p>Columbia's definitely my first choice, and I think Brown's my second, but other than that I'm not really sure. Also, I need help narrowing down the list and adding a few less selective ones, so if anybody has any suggestions about that too, that'd be great.</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>caucasian, female, middle class, public school in Michigan (not on any best schools list, but it isn't a really awful school either)</p>

<p>GPA: expecting it to be between 3.85 and 3.9 at the end of this year (unweighted)
Class Rank: beneath the top 10%, but in the top 15% (unsure of exact ranking)
PSAT: 233
SAT: 760 R, 720 M, 660 W (didn't do too bad on the multiple choice, but totally bombed the essay for some reason; I'm normally good at writing-type things)
ACT: 34
Likely to become a national merit finalist
took AP Eng Lang and AP US History this year; will probably get a 4 or 5 on the English, and a 3 to 5 (my teacher wasn't very good) on the History
SAT II: took Lit and US History, but didn't get my scores back yet.</p>

<p>Taking two classes at a Washington University (in St. Louis) over the summer, and will probably get an A- or A on them (if grades are given).</p>

<p>Next year:
AP English Lit
AP Calculus
Honors Humanities (block class for one English credit and one social studies credit)
German IV (not officially AP, but I'll most likely be taking the test)
Gym</p>

<p>I'll probably be able to get all As or A-'s next year.</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular Activities: (when I say present I mean I plan on continuing them through senior year)
Destination Imagination: first grade through the present
Violin: school (as a class) orchestra, 5th through 11th; private lessons, 5th through the present
World Cultures Club (at school, like a combination of the language clubs with some other cultures thrown in): 10th through present
I attempted to join German club freshman year, but it dissolved after just a couple meetings due to lack of participation
Quiz Bowl: 10th through present</p>

<p>Awards:
likely will be a national merit finalist
various academic awards throughout school (don't remember what subjects I got them in)</p>

<p>College plans:
I'd planning on double majoring in international affairs and English, and I'd also like to continue studying German and learn Italian and Arabic (I'm assuming that some of the language study will have to be done in grad school, of course).</p>

<p>Thanks a lot, and if you have any other questions or if I've forgotten any information, feel free to ask me about it. Also, would the fact that my mother died when I was ten affect anything (I'm assuming it would financial aid-wise, but would it have any impact admissions-wise)? Also, for Columbia, how much would my chances differ if I applied ED v. regular admission?</p>

2

<p>Okay you realize that National Merit Finalists are determined after essays and recommendations from your school, right?</p>

<p>Your PSAT score is high enough for Michigan to probably get you semifinalist, but assuming you're in the top (what is it 10,000?) kids who took the test is a little bit iffy. And I'm inclined to call your AP scores into question.</p>

<p>No one is going to let you in because you're in a one-parent household. And there won't be a huge difference. If you're a borderline canidate, odds are you'll be deferred, though.</p>

<p>Your scores are good but, depending on the size of your school, your rank might not be enough. And being a middle class, white girl is going to hurt you.</p>

<p>Columbia's app is writing intensive. They're looking for intellectual students who read a lot and are curious. You cannot just write that you like NYC. That just isn't going to cut it.</p>

<p>Sure you've got a shot? Are you the best applicant I've seen? Nope. Are you up to snuff with a lot of the kids in my incoming class? Eh. And I say that because of your ECs.</p>

<p>But write a good application, who knows.</p>

3

<p>Thanks. I know Columbia's a stretch, but it so far it seems like a really good school (for me, not just in terms or rankings). I do read a lot and I am curious; I just hope I can convey that in the application. Anybody have any ideas about how to boost my acceptance chances (to Columbia or any of the other schools I listed)?</p>

4

<p>Anybody else?</p>

5

<p>I don't really know your rank, everything is fine except your EC's which might hurt you, but good essays and recs and you won't have to worry. I left the LAC's blank for academics your qualified, but as the LAC's consider "character" you need to show them in your essays. Try doing some Community service over the summer, join some clubs, hey maybe it will all change, but academics wise i guess your good. </p>

<ul>
<li>Brown- Reach</li>
<li>Colby-Match</li>
<li>Columbia-Reach</li>
<li>George Washington-Match</li>
<li>Georgetown-High Match</li>
<li>Johns Hopkins-High Match</li>
<li>Macalester</li>
<li>Middlebury-</li>
<li>Skidmore-</li>
<li>Stanford-Reach</li>
<li>Tufts-High Match</li>
<li>Berkeley-Reach?</li>
<li>University of Chicago-High Match</li>
<li>University of Georgia-Saftey</li>
<li>University of Virginia-Low Match</li>
<li>Vassar-</li>
</ul>

6

<p>Thanks, that helps a lot!</p>

7

<p>Columbia ED will give you a boost.
The only thing is...it seems lik you're only taking 4 academic classes next year. That will be looked down upon.</p>

<p>If you get your SAT closer to your PSAT score your chances will improve.
For Columbia, the "Why Columbia" paragraph is insanely important. They want students who are excited to take advantage of NYC and the intellectual atmosphere at Columbia.</p>

8

<p>Um, wow, I think you have fairly good chances at all those schools. The Columbia and UChicago applications are incredibly writing intensive, especially UChicago. I would say your chances at UChicago are rather good, and the school does have a somewhat higher acceptance rate of 40%, but creativity in your writing is essential...</p>

9

<p>Chicago's app is crazy, but fun.</p>

<p>Although there's not too much writing on Columbia's app (it's a short app), what you do write is EXTREMELY important.</p>

10

<p>Thanks. I hope the writing goes well for me; at times I can write really well, but at times my writing looses a bit of focus. I'll just have to leave enough time to go through the application slowly and let other people read through my essays.</p>

11

<p>*loses</p>

<p>Make sure you use spellcheck on your app.</p>

12

<p>Thanks. I'm normally quite good (not perfect, but pretty good) at spelling, but lose always seems to trip me up for some reason.</p>

<p>One more question; out of those schools plus American, College of William and Mary, and University of Mary Washington (three new choices), which ones do you think would be best to visit, or do you have any tips on choosing which ones to visit?</p>

13

<p>Georgetown doesn't look at WR score, good shot for Georgetown... I'd say high match</p>