What school is good for me?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone, I was rejected from Hopkins, and I'm not sure why. Anyway, I just want to hear what school do y'all think is good for me. P.S. I switched schools senior year, so please no, "your activities look inconsistent." Thank You.</p>

<p>Ethnicity:Asian (Sri Lankan)
State:Fl
SAT:2100 (V:660/W:670/M:770)
ACT:None
SAT II: Math IIC:750/Biology M:740
GPA:W=3.95 UW=4.76
APs: 4 (Taking 7 and dual enrollment this year, I know crazy, but I have all As)
AP Courses: AP US History, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP English Language & Composition, AP English Literature & Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Leadership
12 Lead America Medical Conference-Diabetes, Johns Hopkins University
9,10,11 Captain, Science Team
9,10,11 Coordinator, After School Art Program
9,10, 11, 12 Tutor, Algebra(9), Chemistry(10), AP U.S. History (11) & Biology 1010 (12)
9,10 Teacher Assistant, Symphonic Band, Woodwind Students
11 President nominee, District Level NHS</p>

<p>Shadowing & Special Programs
Summer 2012 Lead America Medical Conference-Diabetes, Johns Hopkins University,
11, 12 Shadowed Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. S, Gulf Coast, Health Park, and Lee Memorial Medical Center
11, 12 Shadowed Gastroenterologist, Dr. C, Gulf Coast Medical Center’s GI Unit</p>

<p>Honors and Awards
12 Valedictorian, Class of 2013, Summa cum Laude, AP Scholar Award
11, 12 National Honor Society
12 Mu Alpha Theta Society<br>
9, 10, 11 Portfolio, Artist Elites, Artist of the Year, High School, Youngest Portfolio Artist
9 1st Place, Science Fair, Microbiology
9, 10 1st Chair, Saxophone; 1st Chair, Oboe
9 Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Superior Polychromatic Drawing, Woodwind Solo
9 Most Organized, Homecoming Superlative Recipient<br>
10 “Best of Band” award, Symphonic Band & Orchestra, Highest A, Chemistry & English<br>
10 3rd Place, State Brain Bowl (A-Team), 1st Place Regional’s, Knowledge Master Open, youngest A-Team Member
11 Varsity Letter, Highest A, AP English, AP History, AP Calculus, Winner, Homecoming Talent Show (Saxophone)
11 1st Place, Epidemiology Case on Methemoglobinemia (1/300 participants), Critical Thinking Competition</p>

<p>Activities
9, 10, 11 Portfolio Artist Group, Polychromatic Specialty (Colored Pencil)
10, 11, 12 A-Team (Quiz Bowl Team)
9,10,11 Science Team (Captain)
9,10 Piano Lessons (8 Years Total), Saxophone Lessons (8 Years total)
9, 10, 11 Pep Band & School Musicals: Oklahoma musical-oboe, Wizard of Oz musical-saxophone & xylophone (bells), The Music Man-oboe & snare drum
9,10,11,12 Youth Ministry
11 Varsity Wrestling (120lb. Weight Class)<br>
12 Lion’s Den Wrestling Club<br>
11, 12 Wikipedia.com Medical Reader, Writer and Editor<br>
Community Service
10,11,12 Patient Advocate, Gulf Coast Medical Center Emergency Room<br>
9,10,11, 12 Packaging Volunteer, Harry Chapin Food Bank<br>
9,10,11 Coordinator, After School Art Program<br>
9,10 Volunteer, cleaned instruments for children, Instrument Petting Zoo
11 Photography Coordinator, NHS Heart Association Health Walk
10 Southside Christian Church Drive-Thru Nativity Actor (Beggar)<br>
9 Set Painter, Wizard of Oz Musical</p>

2

<p>Galaxialto,</p>

<p>I am surprised that you were turned down.
What is your AP score on the ones you have taken so far. Why is your weighted score lower than unweighted?</p>

<p>Since, you switched last year, did your teachers not know you enough to write good recommendations?</p>

3

<p>English:3
History:3
Calc AB:4
Chemistry:2 (I have no clue, but I didn’t report this.)
It’s ok, because there isn’t enough room to report my prospective AP exams and all the exams I have taken, so I only reported 3 of them, and then posted the other 7 I am going to take.</p>

<p>Sorry, my weighted is 4.76 and my unweighted is 3.95
I work really hard.</p>

4

<p>Galaxialto,</p>

<p>Ok. This is what is lacking- your AP scores are low. The GPA scores that the school reports usually have no meaning for the colleges. They do their own weighting. Is your school considered a top school? Do a lot of top colleges come to your school? How many students does it send to top schools every year?</p>

<p>When you send in your application, you need to send in all the AP courses that you are taking. It might be better if you dropped one and did better on the rest. How many non-AP courses did you take so far in all 4 years? How many AP courses could you have taken in your school up to junior year?</p>

5

<p>My school was a private Christian school that sends 0 kids to top schools, which is why I left for senior year. I was the valedictorian. The previous valedictorians went to UCF and Carnegie Mellon. My GPA is a million times better than theirs though. I took all honors, got all A’s in high school. I got my only B in AP Chem junior year only because the AP Chem teacher was a Bio teacher and literally did not know chemistry. He gave us these 4 question quizzes making each question 25 points each. I got a lot of 50s and 75s in that class. That is also why I got a 2 on the AP exam. Also, my AP US history teacher made us read this history book that had so much unimportant information. I have a lot of honors and AP classes that I did well in, just the AP exams were not the best. It doesn’t matter, now I am taking 6 APs on FLVS and dual enrollment (1 different AP next semester) and have all As. FLVS is good for me because I get As, and the only AP I took on FLVS before was Calc and I got a 4 on that exam. So FLVS really prepares you unlike my other school. I really just want a straight answer as to what college is good for me. My standardized tests are pretty good I’d say.</p>

6

<p>I don’t really know much about how much credence top schools give to AP at FLVS. You might do more research on that. Top colleges go for students who have more AP course and have done well at those AP courses. If your school has sent 0 students at top schools before, then those colleges have no information about the quality of education offered at your school- this one or previous one. They are trying to judge whether a GPA at one school was more easily earned than at some other school. Independent AP exams are supposed to validate them.
From your post, you seem to want to go to a medical program. why not look at some of the state schools which may not be that much of a reach. Emory, wash U, state schools are some other ones to look at. emory & Wash might be reach for you but Emory has an Oxford school which has lower stats and you can switch to Emory a year later.</p>

7

<p>What’s wrong with Carnegie!?</p>

8

<p>Nothing at all! Great school. I thought that this person seemed more towards a med program bent- look at EC’s.</p>

9

<p>Dipali, my standardized tests are over Emory’s by far. What about UCLA or Berkeley? How about them? I did do well at AP, but realize they won’t see the 2 for Chem., so they won’t assume. Also, who else do you know who takes 7 AP classes in 1 year? Just asking, what credibility do you have on college admissions? You are saying my AP scores are low, even though I passed, and are ignoring everything else on my app to cut me down. tsk tsk. This is why I don’t like this site. Let me rephrase that, I don’t think you are trying to cut me down, just don’t take criticism well. I am extremely disappointed with my old school because of the bad academics. The AP exams were not the best for me because english and history are not my best subjects. I am good at chemistry and actually got the highest grade in the class, but literally everyone failed the exam because the class was terrible.</p>

10

<p>I really do appreciate your trying to help though, so thanks… :D</p>

11

<p>Galaxialto,</p>

<p>You know your situation and your school best. I went through a similar phase as you recently so don’t worry about what I think. That is why we like to have 8-10 applications- reaches and safety’s.
Berkeley or Umich might be some other schools you want to look at- these are supposed to be race neutral & will neutralize asian anti-hook and you might have a better chance.
Regarding SAT’s- good colleges supposedly do not over-rely on them. They are just another indicator.
It is one thing to take tons of AP courses & another to do well at them.</p>

<p>regarding my experience- it is the same as most of everyone here at CC- are a parent who went through this and watched friend’s kids go through it. We also have solid data analysis based work experience to sift through noise and meaningful information. </p>

<p>Good Luck!</p>

12

<p>Well first of all, your standardized scores are not good. Most applicants at JHU would have had above a 2200 and 5s on their APs. Your ECs were random and you did not show much achievement, definitely average at best. I would have predicted a rejected for you at JHU, and that is what happened. For schools, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Emory, and WUSTL would be good reaches for you. Maybe UF as a match? Schools around that range would be ideal.</p>

13

<p>Really? Because a lot of people said I had great chances at JHU? I applied ED by the way. Many kids get into JHU ED with a 2100. I don’t see why the AP scores are such a big deal…</p>

14

<p>also, why do you say I didn’t show much achievement? How is “high school artist of the year” and “best of band” showing no achievement? I also was science team captain. Remember I went to a private school and they didn’t offer much. It was mostly a school for students to go into ministry, not like your fancy school.</p>

15

<p>“Dipali, my standardized tests are over Emory’s by far”
really now?
Mid-Range Scores:
Critical Reading 650-740
Math 670-770
Writing 660-750</p>

<p>Your Scores:
Critical Reading 660
Math 770
Writing 670</p>

<p>This puts you at the low end of both reading and writing but at the 75th percentile for math. I wouldn’t say that you’re a shoe-in or over Emory’s standardized test scores “by far”</p>

16

<p>You showed school achievement, which is good, but no state and national achievement in major competitions. I am not trying to say you are a bad applicant, you certainly seem smart and will go to a good school. However, you are going up against people with much high scores and high achievement in ECs. Good Luck.</p>

17

<p>? I got 3rd place at state brain bowl and 1st place at regional knowledge master open? I also got 1st place out of 300 participants at this international epidemiology competition?</p>

18

<p>Wait, If my scores are around mid range for Emory, should I even be worried? When I say way over Emory, I mean above the minimum. My ECs are fine I guess. I did art, music, and sports and got awards in all three. My SAT subjects aren’t too bad. And I worked so hard on my academics and GPA. If my school didn’t prepare me well for the AP exams, how is that my fault? just about 50% of the kids at my school fail AP exams.</p>

19

<p>By the way, The scores I looked at for Emory were lower than the ones you showed, so my bad.</p>

20

<p>its all good. maybe you looked at oxford college’s scores. yeah im just saying that emory is a great match school to look into! :)</p>