What are my chances of getting into Brown? My ACT score is currently 26, but that was in September when I hadn’t studied. I hope to bring it up to 29 or 30. I’m a white female, meaning I’m at a disadvantage as girls applying to Brown have a 7ish% acceptance rate. BUT I am in the IB program (currently a junior) and have a 3.8 GPA, 4.5ish weighted GPA. And I’m really involved in the community:
-150+ hours in C&S
-IBMYP Certificate
-6 on Personal Project
-Student Rep PTSA (3 years in senior year)
-MUN, 1 award (4 years)
-Literary Magazine, now Senior editor (3 years)
-Newspaper, writer (3 years)
-Culture and Arts Magazine, Founder & EIC (2 years)
-ASL Club, founder & co-president (2 years)
-PADI Certified Open Water Scuba
-Competitive Swimming (9 years until sophomore)
-Varsity Swimmer since freshman year w/ two awards (4 years)
-Pianist (for fun for 13 ish years)
-NHS (2 year)
-Science NHS (2 years)
-Beta Club (2 years)
-Spanish NHS (3 years)
-Spanish Award on National Spanish Exam Freshman year
-Athletics Tutor (sophomore year)
-NHS Tutor (junior & senior year, doesn’t count in community and service)
-PTSA Website Webmaster (2 years)
-PTSA Fundraiser which made about $1500? for senior scholarships in my sophomore year
-Donated Blood to Red Cross (once)
-Donated Hair to Locks of Love (4 times)
-Member of American Cancer Society Chapter at my school (2 years)
-Hopeful recipient of the IB Diploma (it’s probably going to happen)
I’m really passionate about certain issues, really political, caring, and, hopefully, potential Brown student. I’d really like to hear thoughts on my app. Also, I know I have a lot of extracurriculars, but please trust me when I say I am DEVOTED to them. I don’t collect extracurriculars, I use them to sort of explore what I’m interested in. Also, I’m guessing that my recs will be very good from my teachers as they’re really supportive and caring. And, I think my essay will turn out well. Sorry if I seem like one of those really anxious people, but… I am sort of anxious. Thanks!
PS I forgot to mention that I started and led the PTSA Fundraiser that I mention above. Also, PTSA at my school=PTA
Make sure you have back-up schools that you would like to attend. Your ACT could definitely be boosted, but your extracurriculars seem to reflect you well. Best of luck!
Without a hook, a 29 or 30 gives you very slim chances at Brown. You need a 32+ to really have a shot.
Does a hook have to be put into the essay or do colleges catch it in the resume?
@whatsalwaysnew a “hook” in college admissions is defined as something that makes you special (as in your chances of getting in are extremely boosted because of it). This includes being a recruited athlete, having legacy, being the child of a famous person/person who donated large sums of money, being a URM, low income/first gen, etc.
Also, please try and get a 34+ on the ACT. If I can get a 33 without studying, and don’t even consider applying to Brown, you need a reality check. And you seem like you’re padding your resume. Your activities lack depth. Lots of people donate to Locks of Love. Lots of people have one award. What makes you special?
I think as long as you write really good essays, you have a really really really good chance! If not brown, then other top notch schools 
Chance me back?
I disagree with the above poster. Saying you have a really good chance isn’t doing you any favors. You need to get that ACT up at least to a 32 to have even a decent chance. No one has a good chance at an ivy unless your last name is Obama/gates/ any other famous person with lots of money or you’re a recruited athlete. Right now brown is a pipe dream for you.
yall really out here acting like donating blood to red cross is an extracurricular activity smh
@heeeyitschin Yeah. I understand the need for college applicants to fluff their extracurriculars during the process, but lol donating a pint of O positive or cutting 8 inches of your hair or getting a good grade on a single project is something thousands of people do everyday. OP hasn’t gotten out of the haze yet.
@thisisfine2020 Actually, I could easily chop off my hair like other swimmers but I choose to donate it repeatedly. That project you were talking about contributed to my myp certificate. Non-IBers wouldn’t understand the importance of that specific project. I don’t appreciate the comment as it isn’t helpful. Btw, you probably don’t have dyslexia, so me not getting a 33 without studying isn’t necessarily because I’m not trying but because we’re on different playing fields. Brag all you want, but getting a 33 without studying doesn’t make you a better person… Not that I’m saying you’re a bad one (try not to read that in the wrong tone).
@whatsalwaysnew I actually have testing anxiety (an actual psychological disorder) that affects me in and out of school. And while I’m sure you’ll get into a good school, I don’t think it will be Brown.
Thanks. Good luck to you.