What Are My Chances?

<p>I know. I'm back. Just critique and tell me if my safeties, matches, and reaches are in their appropriate categories. I don't want any trouble......</p>

<p>Trivia:
First-generation college-bound student
Ethnicity: Puerto Rican and Cuban
Second-generation high-school graduate</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA (weighted): 4.2
Cumulative GPA (unweighted): 3.5
Class Rank: 36/225 (Top 16%)
SAT: 1820
CR: 560
Math: 620
Writing: 670
Essay: 11</p>

<p>ACT Composite: 28
Essay: 11</p>

<p>AP Exams
AP English Language and Composition: 4
AP Calculus AB: 3
AP Spanish Language (May '09)
AP Calculus BC (May '09)
AP English Literature and Composition (May '09)</p>

<p>School offers 15 AP Courses, mainly to be taken in Junior and Senior year. Average number of AP courses per student per those two years: 1-2.</p>

<p>Just recently took an ACT with Writing this October. Scores will be sent soon.
I will take SATs again in December, as well as an additional ACT if necessary. SAT IIs will be taken in January, with potential retakes in February.</p>

<p>Extracurricular "Résumé" (Incomplete as of now)</p>

<p>Student Ambassadors Program (Grades 10-12) An elite organization that accepts only six percent of the roughly 1,000 students who attend the school. One can only enter by nomination and must survive and pass a grueling admissions process, including an on-the-spot random interview with the heads of the program. We welcome parents to the school, answer questions, and assist the Admissions Directors with our abilities.</p>

<p>Forensics (Grades 9-12, Varsity Grades 11-12) I practice Oral Interpretation with the Varsity Forensics: Dramatic Performance Branch. I switched to the Dramatic Performance Branch after being part of the Public Forum team in my Freshman and Sophomore years. The team is known for its dedication, teamwork, and camaraderie; we criticize each others’ performances and tweak anything in order to create a stunning performance for the judges in our competitions. We have ranked nationally every year since its beginnings in the early 80s.</p>

<p>The Knights of Christ (Grades 11-12) Recently instated in my Junior year, the Knights of Christ is the school's religious organization, dedicated to community and volunteer service, God, and camaraderie. A student must make a pledge to visit the Chapel daily and volunteer to participate at Knights members-only masses. Many are expected to lead them, make banners, and assist the priests with the basic Mass preparation setup. I elect to read from Scripture every mass, as well as serving the Eucharist.</p>

<p>Student Newspaper (Grades 9-12, Editor-in-Chief 12) Journalism is one of my many interests. I have also taken Journalism as an independent study when it was offered in my Junior year. I currently hold the Editor-in-Chief position.</p>

<p>Literary Magazine (Grades 9-12, Editor-In-Chief 11-12) Along with journalism, literature is a great passion of mine. On many occasions, I have helped the Editors with organization, and at times, I’d lead meetings when the moderator or the Editors wouldn’t be there. I was granted the Editor-in-Chief position in my Junior year.</p>

<p>Eucharistic Ministry (Grade 12) I am one of twelve students designated to serve the Eucharist at all school-sponsored functions. We serve the Eucharist at all school-hosted masses and also serve it in the morning and midday masses. We also assist the priests when they need help serving the Eucharist in larger places in the community, e.g. retirement homes and hospitals. This organization requires much commitment and dedication to service of others before self-service, and only those willing would accept the great responsibility that is the Eucharistic Ministry.</p>

<p>Quiz Bowl Team (Grades 10-12) The Quiz Bowl team is one of the school’s noted clubs. To be part of it, one must endure a trial of sorts, as he is asked over one hundred NAQT questions and must answer many before his competition just to be even considered by the members. The team has won numerous championships and is currently ranked number nine nationally. The school’s Quiz Bowl team always manages to be in the top ten every year, and we are also invited to compete in Quiz Bowl tournaments at some prestigious universities.</p>

<p>The Free Association for Creative Expression (Grades 11-12) A recently-opened club, the Free Association for Creative Expression discusses, defends, and discovers the First Amendment: the right to free speech. To that end, students learn of art, culture, and present their own ways they speak their own voices, whether it be through word of mouth or visual expression.</p>

<p>Schools in Consideration</p>

<p>Reaches
Colgate
BC
Swarthmore</p>

<p>Matches
Providence C.
Holy Cross
Elon
Loyola of Maryland
Emerson
Bucknell
Will & Mary (out-of-state, definitely disputed as match/reach amongst people on CC and in my H.S.)</p>

<p>Safeties
Saint Joe's University
Muhlenberg
(Need a third)</p>

<p>I'm applying to 13 for a reason: it's my lucky number.
Anything you need added (I'll give you a full résumé soon, along with the Service Projects I've been a part of), let me know.</p>

<p>Honestly you have a low GPA, and you have a lower SAT Score, however, if you continue on the path of becoming a AP scholar ( 3 and above) and you contintue your extra curriculars, then I would think you have a very good chance of getting in…because you are a Under Represented Minority! Woo hooo, if you apply ED at either Colgate, Swarthmore, or Boston College, and you raise your SAT some points to get above other applicants just like you ( of your nationality) then Affirmative Action saves you. I would think you can give into your reaches if you apply ED.</p>

<p>ED is over with. Unless you’re talking ED II.</p>

<p>(Edit with question) If I haven’t applied ED I, could I apply ED II?</p>

<p>Chance me? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/592997-help-help-potential-nyu-stern-applicant.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/592997-help-help-potential-nyu-stern-applicant.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I neglected to mention (cannot edit first post, sorry):</p>

<p>Prospective Major: English, Creative Writing, Cinema Studies, Philosophy (two of the four)
Prospective Minor: Spanish Literature / one of the Majors / entirely different minor</p>

<p>Reaches
Colgate - I’d say good chance
BC - REACH
Swarthmore - REACH</p>

<p>Matches</p>

<p>Besides W & M (slight reach!) , I’d say you have a good chance at all your matches =]</p>

<p>Slight reach? Gotcha. Will correct that in my notebook. Thanks.</p>

<p>Additional bit of information: Essay topic(s):</p>

<p>Since I will be writing numerous essays, some for the Common App and for other applications, here are topics that I’ve been spitballing:</p>

<p>I. How my freshman and sophomore English teachers challenged my perception of literature, the English curriculum, reality, and my own life.
II. (If I go on a mission for this organization, which is really improbable before January) Operation Smile mission.
III. Working FOR Operation Smile and doing numerous service projects, and how they’ve shaped me into the man I’ve become
IV. A topic of my choice, such as how some of the “Great Books” changed my life, etc. etc.
V. A very personal talk/speech I gave at a retreat written in essay form.</p>

<p>First bump of the thread.</p>

<p>Hm. Second bump of the thread? I understand many are holding some grudge, and that I fully blame myself for.</p>

<p>make sure your essays are good, and with the exception for swarthmore - good shot everywhere. your church activities should help you with bc:0_ best of luck!</p>

<p>Good shot would mean what, exactly? How specific are we talking here?</p>

<p>I feel a bump is necessary. I’m really making sure I’m being realistic with my choices here.</p>

<p>It’s the way it goes, I guess.</p>

<p>With a 28 ACT , I would not submit SAT scores.
1180 CR/Math SAT could hurt at some of these schools.</p>

<p>I see that your best SAT section is writing. Unfortunately for you some schools do not consider the Writing section yet.</p>

<p>[KAPLAN</a> EXCLUSIVE: New SAT Scoring Policies from 374 Top Schools](<a href=“http://www.kaptest.com/College/SAT/Learn-About-the-SAT/CO_sat_surveyresults.html#more]KAPLAN”>http://www.kaptest.com/College/SAT/Learn-About-the-SAT/CO_sat_surveyresults.html#more)</p>

<p>The good news is that you have writing skills.Use the essay to get the attention of the AdCom.
First generation college , hispanic , strong grades , challenging schedule are ++ for your chances.</p>

<p>While I am not an admissions expert , I will estimate your chances:</p>

<p>Colgate- Doubtful
BC Doubtful
Swarthmore Doubtful</p>

<p>Providence C.-IN
Holy Cross Doubtful
Elon Probable
Loyola of Maryland In
Emerson IN
Bucknell Doubtful
Will & Mary Doubtful
Saint Joe’s University In (safety)
Muhlenberg Probable</p>

<p>Edited List! FINAL!</p>

<p>Colgate
Boston College
Bucknell
Providence
Lafayette
Holy Cross
Loyola of Maryland
Emerson
University of Richmond
Skidmore
Saint Joe’s Univ.
Catholic Univ.
William & Mary</p>

<p>Retook ACTs. Scores:</p>

<p>(Old / New)</p>

<p>Composite: (28 / 28)
English: (30 / 34)
Math: (32 / 28)
Reading: (28 / 24)
Science: (23 / 25)
Writing: (11 / 11)
Combined English/Writing: (31 / 34)</p>

<p>Retaking SATs on Saturday. Hopes:</p>

<p>Verbal: 600+
Math: 650+
Writing: 700+</p>

<p>Probable: Same scores, if not worse. I haven’t had any practice.</p>

<p>If you can get your SATs up to your hopeful level, then I say you have a solid chance at BC and Colgate (50%). Otherwise I would say something like 60% to Holy Cross (I have legacy there and am also applying on an egocentric note) and Bucknell and WandM, while the others are looking like matches/safeties.</p>

<p>Also, chance me back at <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/603491-chance-sexy-beast-cornell-bc-jhu-etc.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/603491-chance-sexy-beast-cornell-bc-jhu-etc.html?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I like your title. So the point of your message is, just to make sure:</p>

<p>Good chances everywhere but Colgate, BC, Holy Cross, W&M, and Bucknell? The wording’s confusing me a bit, plus exams have been killing me.</p>

<p>Well, I meant if you achieved your SAT goals this Saturday (I’m taking too :)), those would be my chances. Otherwise, you can probably decrease my chances by about 5-10% per reach/high match college. I know BC looks at Writing, so you have a good chance there. I do not know that much info about the last five, but as far as I know, they look to be matches/safeties. In addition, Lafayette can also probably be considered a high match (70%). So yeah, what you said is generally correct about my post.</p>

<p>Okay, cool, so now I’m being fairly realistic about my colleges. Thanks.</p>

<p>Bump. I appreciate any honest response.</p>