What does it take to get into an Ivy league?

Applying to College
61

<p>I got in as a hook URM to cornell and uchicago with a 30 act, 770 math 2, 700 chem, and 3.7/4.0 gpa, research over one summer, 2 summer jobs, the usual ec’s, and one fairly unique initiative to get in touch with local math profs for mentoring. </p>

<p>I happen to think that my case was a little unique–though you may disagree. I failed 7th and 8th grade at local public school(apathy) ,and had to do summer school. My mom then decided to transfer me to a private school for a hs, where i knew nothing ,and i consequentially ended freshman year with a 1.5. The next year, with harder classes, i had a 4.0; the next year a 4.4. So far out of the 134 kids at my school i’ve gone from 129 to 23 in my ranking. I know a friend of mine who is hispanic, another who was black, both rejected from the ivies though they had similar test scores. </p>

<p>I would like to attribute my success in college admissions to my hard work and self-motivation, but i guess i’ll have to settle for URM: a title which places all the colorful people who get in under an umbrella of mediocrity.</p>

62

<p>Seth, read through the thread, it’s all there.</p>

<p>Chaotic, you did get in because of your hard work and motivation. As you yourself pointed out, other URMs you know with equal stats didn’t get in.</p>

63

<p>re: #61, </p>

<p>In means in. As with employers, it is better to think of the college as lucky to have you than the other way around. If you happen to also provide unmistakable proof of that thought during your enrollment, as you did in high school, so much the sweeter. Either way you win.</p>