What Are MY Chances? / Cry For Help

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello, everyone. New guy here, already getting a jump-start into this forum. I have many questions regarding colleges and being accepted into them, but one of the most important is, "What are my chances anywhere?" I have high standards because I want to have a successful career, and as a first-generation college student (no one on my father's side entered college and my father was the first to graduate high school), I want to ensure that I truly have a great life post-university. I'm looking at a few Ivies, many Liberal Arts Colleges, and want to enter some Honors programs. I will tell you as much as I can about myself, pretending you all are College Admissions Directors interviewing me about myself and where I'm at. </p>

<p>I'm an A-B rising senior who has a cumulative 4.2 GPA (weighted), and have participated in many clubs avidly. I don't do any sports (I'm not athletic enough). In my Junior Year, I took nine courses, whereas the required number of courses in my school is seven. Those two extra courses were both Honors, and I had gotten an A+ in one, and a B+ in the other. That year, I had a 4.33 cumulative GPA, with a B in an Honors course, B-pluses in three honors courses and two Advanced Placement courses (English Language and Composition and Calculus AB), and three A-pluses in three Honors courses, one of them a language course a year ahead (Spanish IV). I have a particular interest in the Humanities, and am an avid reader and writer.</p>

<p>I am in the following clubs: Student Ambassadors Program, the school's Eucharistic Ministry, The Creative Expression Club, will participate in this year's Fall Drama, Varsity Forensics: Oratorical Branch (Oral Interpretation), the Future Lawyers club, my school's religious organization, the National Honor Society, a participant and one of the leaders of Operation Smile in my school's chapter, the school newspaper (of which I am Editor-in-Chief), the Quiz Bowl team, the school's literary magazine (of which I am the Editor-in-Chief), and the Spanish Honor Society. I also voice a lot of student's concerns, because the Student Council is just a figurehead for the teachers. We do not have any power, and the President's only duty is to read the morning announcements. I decided to take proper action and took the initiative, focusing on returning the power to the students, allowing us to regain control of the school. </p>

<p>I have taken rigorous courses since Freshman Year, and will be in four Honors and four AP courses next year, one of which another "independent study," a Theological Philosophy Seminar of sorts, and will speak to one of the teachers and the Dean in order to take a Creative Writing independent study. </p>

<p>My board scores aren't too great, but the ACT's score could definitely improve. I'll give you a breakdown of my scores. I have also taken two AP exams––one for English Lang. and Comp., the other for Calculus AB––and had gotten a four and three on them, respectively. Side-question: is it possible on the BC exam to score well and still receive advanced placement in a college because of the bettered score? </p>

<p>I am a Hispanic student and a recognized Hispanic Scholar according to the College Board, as well. I have received many awards since Kindergarten, and have always been an A-B student. Teachers have commented on my work ethic (though some of my grades this year weren't as high––Junior Year is indeed the hardest year of your life: too many B-pluses, as you could evidently see. The thing is, colleges don't weigh, nor do they look at the plus, which is a major deterrent for me.) </p>

<p>SAT
March SAT: 1760
Verbal: 500
Math: 590
Writing: 670
Essay: 11</p>

<p>June SAT: 1820
Verbal: 560
Math: 620
Writing: 640
Essay: 10</p>

<p>ACT
Composite Score: 28
English: 30
Mathematics: 32
Reading: 28
Science: 23
Writing: 11</p>

<p>Here are some colleges I have been looking at: Colgate, Amherst, Dartmouth, Princeton, Yale, Williams, Shimer, Wesleyan, Bowdoin, Washington & Lee, Middlebury, University of Richmond, Loyola College of Maryland (Honors Program), University of Maryland (Honors Program), Villanova University, Fordham University, University of Chicago (Interdisciplinary Program), University of Vermont (Honors Program), Boston University, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Fairfield University (Safety-Net College), The Catholic University of America (Safety-Net College). I can't think of anymore, and I'm looking for suggestions. If there is anyone here who could help me with everything college-related (like a second college guidance counselor), I will be in your debt. Furthermore, if you have any colleges to recommend, not recommend, or comment on, do so. I've relied on ************** (link here</a>) to single out many colleges, and I'm still trying to narrow it down. Please, help me. I have a month left, and I want to rule out every college on my list to around eight: three safety-net colleges and five main picks. I am also looking for scholarships (FastWeb is unreliable and has not helped me at all) and financial aid programs, and wish not to rely on student loans when I go to college––that is, if I'm accepted.</p>

2

<p>What is your unweighted GPA?</p>

<p>Your ACT math indicates that you understand mathematics, while the poor SAT Math score is probably due to the tricky/logical nature of the SAT. That science score is an indication of: either you inability to comprehend scientific "literature" or inability to finish under "somewhat" unrealistic time restraint.</p>

<p>Huge Reach:
Yale
Princeton</p>

<p>Reach:
Amherst
Williams
Dartmouth
University of Chicago (Interdisciplinary Program)
Wesleyan
Colage
Bowdoin
Middlebury
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (OOS)
University of Maryland (Honors Program) (OOS Honors only)
Wash&Lee (I do not recommend this school)</p>

<p>You should reconsider some of these schools. You seem to have good/great chances at the other schools.</p>

3

<p>Unweighted: No clue on what the standard 4.0 scale is, so determining it is impossible.</p>

<p>I'm pretty good at reading scientific literature and I am finish under time constraint. I just wasn't familiar with the format. Furthermore, I don't want to reconsider those schools, if what you're saying is, "Acceptance is highly unlikely," because I love four of those schools.</p>

4

<p>Well first off ill say that, regardless of what you may hear from some CCers, you do not by any means have to attend an Ivy League school or even a prestigious school to have a successful and rewarding career and life. As for chances....</p>

<p>For starters your test scores are pretty low for places like Princeton and Yale and really most of the schools you listed. Your ECs and grades are also somewhat luckluster for those more competetive schools. Im not saying that you shouldnt apply to those school or that you cant get in. Im just saying that you should deffinately consider a few more safeties. Well good luck and dont worry about getting into the most prestigious school. Just find the right ones that make you happy and see what happens.</p>

5

<p>Well, some of those "competitive" schools are homes. Colgate is up there; I love its sense of community and the tight-knit feeling that it has. After using the GPA weighted calculator, my GPA is actually a 4.3. The ECs I mentioned are the best ones at my school (we are not a rich, snobby, suburban, private high school; we're a Catholic one, and we're more sports-oriented than everything), especially the Student Ambassadors Program; we're a school of 981, and the program only accepts two percent of students.</p>

<p>My grades are "lackluster?" Junior year is, but let me give you a full "transcript."</p>

<p>Freshman Year: 7 mandatory courses: 4 As, 3 Bs (ignoring pluses)
Sophomore Year: 7 mandatory courses: 4 As, 3 Bs (again, ignoring pluses)
Junior Year: 7 mandatory courses, 2 EXTRA courses: 3 As, 6 Bs (again, ignoring pluses)
I think you can see why my grades are "lackluster."</p>

6

<p>all i was saying was that at princeton and yale you will be competing with student who took similar courses and got all As. I wasnt saying anything negative about you or your grades.</p>

7

<p>From the tone in your post, it suggested differently, I'm afraid, my friend.</p>

<p>Oh, community service, I forgot about that:</p>

<ul>
<li>Heavy dedication towards helping the school; in fact, I won a scholarship award because of it.</li>
<li>Operation Smile; I plan on going on a mission, but with parental permission, of course. My mother encourages it.</li>
<li>I tutor and volunteer almost daily at the After School Program at my old elementary school.</li>
</ul>

<p>And regarding this "all-As" situation: isn't it true that a lot of colleges are looking for above average students with a better base, such as more variation in what they do? I've spoken with my Counselor as well as some students and admissions directors, and they say that the emphasis on the multifaceted students is greater than the straight-A science student who wants this degree.</p>

<p>I like the Humanities, the Liberal Arts, a general study. Those are my main clubs that I am an avid participant of, but I'm part of many others. I'd list them all, but it's late and my mind is drawing a blank on some of them right now. </p>

<p>So there you have it.</p>

8

<p>First off, in reference to "Cry for help", I hope to help as much as I can, though I know I'm imperfect. Any help I do give I hope is beneficial to your current situation... and welcome to CC =]</p>

<p>First, to count, you have 22 colleges on your list. From what I can see, there's only one college that's free to apply to (Colgate), so the list definitely needs to be narrowed down (my dad is sending out a bunch of freebie apps... he printed off a list of places =P) if money's and issue, i know of a lot of free-to-apply colleges/universities that may be of interest to you</p>

<p>Not sure what to say about the schools themselves... Yale and Princeton would probably want higher scores based on their middle 50th, but other than that, I'm really clueless...</p>

<p>What are you looking for other than humanities work and reading/writing? From just the reading and writing aspects, I'd think Shimer and Middlebury would be great for you, but of course remember this is solely my opinion. Don't know about Shimer's admissions standards, but Middlebury would probably be a reach (middle 50th percentile: 29-32 ACT, 1910-2210 SAT, though when you combine your best SATs together it is 1910, at the 25th marking).</p>

<p>May you be blessed in your college admissions process!</p>

<p>-- Tanstripe</p>

9

<p>I'm looking for everything, a taste of all subjects: math, natural/applied sciences, social sciences, philosophy, theology, English, literature, Modern Languages, Foreign Languages, the Arts––written and performed, and many more. I am not specific at all, and I am unsure if the colleges are proud of that or apprehensive of that. Do they thirst for creative, universal thinkers or for those who are dedicated to what they want to be?</p>

<p>I am not Mr. 2400. I'm Mr. 2000 (if I retake them again in October and try to attain the best scores I could get), and I know that many colleges will deny me. I just want to be accepted by competitive colleges.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your wisdom and guidance. Keep 'em coming!</p>

<p>-- Falthor</p>

10

<p>"we are not a rich, snobby, suburban, private high school; we're a Catholic one, and we're more sports-oriented than everything"</p>

<p>haha, sounds like my school only Protestant-wise ^_^ okay, we're technically interdenominational (including Catholic), but it is mainly Protestant... wrestling is the main sport here O.o</p>

11

<p>"a taste of all subjects"
UChicago has a great core curriculum that covers various topics (I think there are like 10 or 8 core requirements...)</p>

<p>"Do they thirst for creative, universal thinkers or for those who are dedicated to what they want to be?"
Actually, I think they (most colleges) want both so they can have a more diverse atmosphere</p>

12

<p>Heh. We have every kind of sport here. It's ridiculous. Too bad I'm not athletic at all. Gah, why is college admissions so hard? </p>

<p>By the way, how in the world can I win scholarship money? I need a full ride; I don't want to leave college in debt. That's a promise I made to my parents and myself.</p>

<p>EDIT: Tanstripe, good to hear. That statement relives me a little, but I'm still stressing out. My Board scores are not really going to help me at all.</p>

<p>EDIT #2: Lazydog: I am. I didn't list all of the colleges because I'm trying to narrow it down. But Fordham, I heard one thing wrong about it: their food sucks. And their education value is sub-par. At least, this is what I heard from my friends, who are current students there. They said the classes are easier than the ones at my school, and I think some of them are jokes. I want to challenge myself in college.</p>

13

<p>"I'm looking for everything, a taste of all subjects: math, natural/applied sciences, social sciences, philosophy, theology, English, literature, Modern Languages, Foreign Languages, the Arts––written and performed, and many more"</p>

<p>try fordham, their core consists of between 17 and 21 courses covering everything you listed.</p>

14

<p>actually if your high school is a jesuit high school, fordham has special scholarships for jesuit HS grads. They are the only full rides that they offer.</p>

15

<p>Because it's the unknown factor. We want to know where to apply, when to apply, where to go when decisions return, what they'll do, etc. yet, amidst this chaos, i find peace...</p>

<p>Concerning the debt aspect: I really don't know of many good scholarship places, though I know of some "no-loan" schools that may be of interest</p>

<p>What do you mean they aren't going to help you...?</p>

16

<p>If you were paying attention to my posts, lazydog, it's a Catholic school. ;D</p>

<p>Tanstripe: My Board scores are low; they won't help me in my everlasting endeavor to enter my colleges of choice. </p>

<p>What else do you guys need to know?</p>

17

<p>Jesuit is a form of Catholic...</p>

<p>everlasting... not quite =P</p>

<p>Not sure what else I 'need' to know (i'm kinda newish to CC; first time i've actually attempted chancing someone), but i'd say consider after academics socially and, if you are a practicing Catholic, what God desires. Good night and God bless!</p>

<p>-- Tanstripe</p>

18

<p>It is? Well, mine is a fully Catholic school. </p>

<p>Thank you. May God bless you, as well, Tanstripe, and hope everything goes well with you. </p>

<p>Any vets online that may help me?</p>

19

<p>I am not qualified to analyze your whole list, but here are 2 things that might make you life easier next year: Apply very early to Vermont- it has rolling admissions and it is nice to know that you have been accepted somewhere early in the process- it really takes the pressure off, and I think you'll get in. Bowdoin will let you apply without standardized test scores- maybe you should apply there on the strength of your GPA and ECs, and see how that goes.</p>

20

<p>Rolling Admissions? I've never heard that term used before: care to elaborate on what it is?</p>