Why Not? Chance me

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Chances for: Ivy League, NYU, and JHU</p>

<p>For quite some time now, I have casually talked about going to an Ivy League school. It almost seemed out of reach at first, but as a junior, I think I now have a legitimate shot at getting accepted. I started researching and saw that I was about the middle of the herd, but then I came upon this site. People's stats on here are amazing! I can't compare to many of them and I started doubting myself. </p>

<p>I think I might be able to set myself apart because of my background, not necessarily my educational feats. I was born in Norway and came here when I was 5. Norwegian is my native language and I am fluent in it. I was born to a Turkish father and a Norwegian mother and I am not an American citizen. I will be a first generation college student as well. Does this help my chances at all? I feel it is rather diverse and I feel I can write an excellent essay on my life experiences. </p>

<p>I was not born into an affluent family (I'm middle class) and haven't been presented with some of the opportunities others have because of the size of my school, which will graduate as a class of about 60. I'm not a bookworm or a hermit either. I'm the kind that would benefit from an interview as a personable and socially apt person. I think that is very important and helps to set me apart from the brains that apply to Ivy League schools.</p>

<p>My stats are pretty well-rounded and I'd like to know what you guys think:</p>

<p>Academic</p>

<p>1st in class</p>

<p>99.4 average</p>

<p>SAT 1: 740 Math, 740 Verbal, 660 Writing (Retaking them this Saturday)
Taking Subject tests in math, lit., and US history in June</p>

<p>College US history (credit at local CC)</p>

<p>Enrolled in 4 college classes next year</p>

<p>French - 5 years</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars</p>

<p>Attending Boys' State in June (hopefully boys nation too)</p>

<p>Youth in Government- President (Chairperson at county steering convention)</p>

<p>National Honor Society - VP (President next year)</p>

<p>Varsity soccer player</p>

<p>French club- President</p>

<p>Leo's Club</p>

<p>Band- 1st Trumpet</p>

<p>150+ hours comm. service as lights supervisor at school plays</p>

<p>50+ hours at various other tasks</p>

<p>Prom Committee</p>

<p>Class of 2008- Treasurer- 2 years </p>

<p>(Running for HS and/or class president next year)</p>

<p>I go to a small school so I don't really have a chance to do some of the things other applicants on here have. I can't take as many classes or participate in as many things and have pretty much maximized the opportunity from my school. Schools will take this into consideration right?</p>

<p>Missing a couple of other things, but that's pretty much it. I'd like some honest answers and considering I improve my test scores, what do you think? I know it's a crapshoot and all, but do I have a shot? Thanks in advance for any and all responses.</p>

2

<p>HYPS: Reach/high reach
Columbia, Brown: Reach
Lower Ivies: Low reach (improve your SAT scores and I think you'll get into at least one)
JHU: High match
NYU: Match</p>

3

<p>Well, I definitely agree with your assessment of yourself as "well-rounded." Also, your family situation and fluency in Norwegian is a bit "different" from the standard student which should help you further (and yes, being a first generation college student is a good thing). One thing to note: your writing score is a bit lower than your critical reading one. Fortunately for you, the writing section of the SATs is the score that is least significant to colleges so it shouldn't hurt you. My one concern, however, is that there are colleges out there (Amherst College, for one) which say that a significant difference between the critical reading and writing scores of a candidate's SATs (over 60 points of difference) catches their eye as "a curiousity." I HIGHLY doubt, however, that this will stop you from getting in... a score of 660 on writing is more than acceptable.</p>

<p>Chances on a scale of: high reach, reach, semi-reach, good fit, likely, safety.
Harvard University... HIGH REACH.
Yale University... HIGH REACH.
Princeton University... HIGH REACH.
Columbia University... REACH.
Brown University... REACH.
University of Pennsylvania... REACH.
Dartmouth College... REACH.
Cornell University... SEMI-REACH.
Johns Hopkins University... GOOD FIT.
New York University... LIKELY.</p>

4

<p>Why do you think those schools are high reaches; I'm just curious. I know they are for most, but at the small school I go to, I don't really have many opportunities to do much more than I have listed. If anything, what can be done between now and applying to improve my chance (obv. other than improving SAT scores)? I think that if my essays are really well written then I should have as good a chance as anyone in the crapshoot. Thanks for the response.</p>

5

<p>Also, forgot to mention, I had never tested for the Writing before and was not aware of the little nuances in writing the essay and such that affect your score. Hopefully on Saturday I will be able to pull that over 700 as well.</p>

6

<p>The reason YHP are high reaches are because of the crapshoot concept. With the top tier Ivies they can pick and choose who they want because the pool of applicants is so vast. I agree that your stats are very impressive, particularly in light of your description of your school, however those three (unless you've got a fantastic pull, are an URM, have a connection at the school, or scores in the straight 780 range) are high reaches for everyone. I'd say you've got a definite chance, however, at getting into at least one of the other six Ivies; although, once again, the whole concept of an admissions crapshoot comes into play.</p>

<p>As for your writing score... I agree it will probably go up now that you're more familiar with the essay. A similar thing happened to me when I took the SATs the first time (650 on writing) and I improved my score 70 points when I took them again.</p>