What are my chances for top notch schools?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Race: Asian
Gender: Female
GPA: 3.67 unweighted, 4.5 weighted (most rigorous course selection)
Rank: not sure... top 10% at a very competitive school
SAT: 2040 first time; going to take again (didn't study at all so expecting around 2200+)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
~ 4 years of policy debate-- first in the district in 2008, National tournament qualified (competed in Las Vegas), Quarter finalist and octafinalist at 2 national tournaments, First place at the Samford Institute tournament, several speaker awards</p>

<p>~ In 2008, I single handedly founded an international literary and art magazine which has published works from people from all across the US, Sweden, Canada, etc. It has received around 10,000 readers. I'm also currently the editor-in-chief. I've also designed and maintained the website for the magazine.</p>

<p>~ In late 2008/ 2009, single handedly founded an online organization that encourages people of all ages to engage in hobbies that will make their lives more meaningful. It has members who's shared their success stories from all across the U.S. I've designed and maintained the website for the organization.</p>

<p>~ 10 poems/photography published in 8 international literary and art magazines. Each have about a 20% acceptance rate.
~ Established website where I sell my photography, and have had pretty good income in place of a job.</p>

<p>~ Co-president of the AI club in our high school for 3 years. During my co-president years, the club has won the "best interest club" award from our high school.
~ I helped establish another club in our school during Sophomore and Junior year. I'm currently the co-vice president of that club, and it has more than 100 members.</p>

<p>~ Piano for 6 years-- state champion in 2007, honorable mention in state in 2008, district winner for 3 years (fresh-junior), winner of sonata competition in 2007, consistently invited to play in private recitals, etc.</p>

<p>~ I've volunteered at a selective Science center, the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. I have over 500 hours of community service.
~ I've worked in a lab at a state university over the summer.
~ I've attended 2 national debate institutes over the summer
~Attended a selective Youth Leadership camp during summer 2008</p>

<p>~National Merit Commendable 2008
~Member of the Spanish Honor Society
~Member of National Honor Society
~Member of Mu Alpha Theta, a national mathematics honor society.</p>

<p>I'm a junior and am wondering what are my chances for applying to colleges such as University of Chicago, Duke, Northwestern, Emory, etc.? I know my GPA is low, but do you think my ECs make up for it? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>More info about GPA: All As during freshman year, 5 Bs and 2 As during sophomore, 1 B during junior. During sophomore year, academics just kind of lost its meaning to me because I discovered so many other hobbies. However, I realize its importance now and have improved my grade. Do you think it’ll help if I explain that on my college apps?</p>

3

<p>ghalla10,</p>

<p>It would help if you would let us know which state or country you are from–and whether you live in a small town or a big city (so we can put your ECs in context based upon available opportunities for you).</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

4

<p>Calcruzer,
I live in Alabama in a pretty small (but rich) town. I engaged in most of my extracurriculars online, because I don’t really want my parents to pay that much to go out of state all the time.</p>

5

<p>“In late 2008/ 2009, single handedly founded an online organization that encourages people of all ages to engage in hobbies that will make their lives more meaningful. It has members who’s shared their success stories from all across the U.S. I’ve designed and maintained the website for the organization.”</p>

<p>this is a very vague idea.</p>

<p>but good chances, I should think.</p>

6

<p>large t-rex,
Sorry, I listed the name, location, web address of the organization and further details on my resume. This was just an abstract because I posted it on another website and wanted to remain anonymous.</p>

<p>Thanks for your help!</p>

7

<p>anyone? I’d really appreciate the help.</p>

8

<p>You are a strong candidate for admission to Chicago, Duke, Northwestern & Emory. The key may be your application essays. Although all are easily “Ivy calibre” schools, they are quite different from each other. Your essays need to focus on why you are a good fit for each particular school. As an aside, I know of one very famous, elite & prestigious boarding school which recently only had one of nine admitted to Northwestern, but over 50% admitted to at least one Ivy.</p>

9

<p>I think I may be at the bottom of the top 10% at my school.
I haven’t gotten my ranking for this year yet, but what would my chances be if I was around 40/400?</p>

10

<p>If you don’t want your parents to pay you are looking at wrong colleges. Look at colleges like ivies with bigger endowments that can afford the aid and scholarships more. Those colleges u’ve named are massive in terms of pricetag. Ivies are more generous in reducing cost. Also check out some good state schools for safeties. and dont be surprised if your SAT doesnt go up, your asking for a massive increase. If u go at it day and night maybe. Your GPA and Asian ethnicity could defiantly make it harder you for top schools : (
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/623727-chances-would-appreciated-chances-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/623727-chances-would-appreciated-chances-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>anyone? 10 char</p>

12

<p>Do a really great job with your chicago essays (which I think you will, looking at your awards) and I think you’ll be in.</p>

<p>Emory and Northwestern I feel that you also stand a good shot with. I would surprised if you didn’t get into both.</p>

<p>Duke, however, they are getting a lot of applicants from the south. If you brought your SAT up to a 2200, I’d say you’d be in. </p>

<p>Focus on your music. If you can visit campus and meet with music teachers, that would be fantastic. Try sending in a CD and definitely email some of the music teachers there, even if you are not going for a music major but still plan to pursue it.</p>

13

<p>Thanks for the help, sherlock!</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

14

<p>Anyone else?</p>

15

<p>Come on, please let me know.</p>

16

<p>Yes. I definitely, definitely think you have a very strong chance at those schools. THe extracurriculers are set - you don’t have to do any more (just maintain and focus on the current ones). However, be careful with the grades. It’s great that they’re improving, but make sure that they continue to do so. I went to several college seminars, and they’ve all said the same thing. Here’s the order of importance:</p>

<ol>
<li>Grades (academic transcript).</li>
<li>SAT/ACT/SAT II/etc. Scores</li>
<li>Extracurriculars</li>
<li>Teachers Recommendations, Essays, Etc.</li>
<li>Interview</li>
</ol>

<p>As you can tell, grades are the number one priority…so just improve them and your SAT score, and you should be fine. :D</p>

<p>So you do policy debate? That’s pretty cool. I do mostly Student Congress and Extempt (and oratory, although I’m not too crazy about it). Most of it’s on the side, though - journalism is my passion. </p>

<p>:) Well, good luck! I’m sure you’ll get accepted at 1+ of these schools if you improve your scores. :D</p>