Wowowowowow!!!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Now that I have your attention, what are some solid safety/reach/match colleges for me?</p>

<p>I’m a rising senior and I’ve started to look at colleges except I’m not too sure which colleges would be good schools? Help me out? Appreciate it! (& Will Chance Back if you want me to:] ) To give you an idea of what colleges I should apply to, I’m interested in: neuroscience/psychology, creative writing, and music, which my EC’S hopefully, show. Also, I’m not too worried about prestige or top schools, like Harvard, Yale, etc. </p>

<p>Here are my stats: </p>

<p>SAT: 660- Math, 650 - Reading, 740 - Writing Total: 2050 (I know, not that great...)</p>

<p>ACT: 32</p>

<p>SAT II Scores: (Going to take Bio and Math II in October)
U.S. History - 720
Literature - 740</p>

<p>GPA: </p>

<p>Unweighted: 3.82</p>

<p>Weighted: 4.72 </p>

<p>Ethnicity: Indian/Hispanic</p>

<p>Gender: Female</p>

<p>AP CLASSES:</p>

<p>Sophomore and Junior Year:
AP US HISTORY - 5
AP Psych - Receive score in July
AP Bio - Receive score in July
AP English Lit. & Comp - Receive score in July</p>

<p>Senior Year:
AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics
AP Calculus
AP Government
AP Latin</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR/ VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:</p>

<p>Sports:
Varsity Tennis – 9, 10, 11, 12
Varsity Basketball – 10,11,12</p>

<p>Instrument:
Piano – All middle school to high school</p>

<p>Clubs/Organizations:</p>

<p>(Relating to Science)</p>

<p>AIDS Club
- Member: 9, 10, 11, 12
- Vice-President</p>

<p>Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
- Member: 11, 12
- President: 11, 12</p>

<p>Visible Memory (A club dedicated specifically for Alzheimer’s and fundraising money. I’ve created my own website and post articles/update info about recent discoveries in the neuroscience field.)
- Member: 11, 12
- President: 11, 12</p>

<p>Brain Center
- Volunteer over 150 + hours.</p>

<p>(Relating to Creative Writing):</p>

<p>Writing Centre (a program at our school that tutors kids every week who need help on their essays. I generally spend around 2-3 hours a week there.)
- Member: 11, 12</p>

<p>Polyphony High School Literary International Magazine (It’s an online magazine that is made up of student editors and writers. It’s awesome!)
- National Staff Editor</p>

<p>Our School's Literary Magazine
- Staff Editor </p>

<p>(Relating to Music):</p>

<ul>
<li>Piano accompaniment for Choirs inside and outside school, played at numerous competitions, festivals, and recitals, etc. </li>
<li>Private Musician (play at parties and dinners) </li>
</ul>

<p>(Miscellaneous):</p>

<p>Best Buddies
Member: 10, 11, 12
President 2011-2012</p>

<p>Nevada Junior Classical League (NJCL)
- Member: 9, 10, 11, 12</p>

<p>National Honor Society
- Member: 10, 11, 12
- President-Elect 2010-2011
- President 2011-2012</p>

<p>Consistency with tennis, basketball, my clubs & 4 years Math, 4 years History, 4 years English, 4 years Latin, & 4 years Science with a couple art classes (choir and orchestra).</p>

<p>AWARDS/HONORS/DISTINCTIONS:</p>

<p>• National Honor Society – 10, 11, 12
• Latin Honor Society- 9, 10, 11, 12
• Cum Laude Society – 11, 12
• Presidential Educator’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence – 2008</p>

<p>Creative Writing Awards:
• National Creative Writing Competition (Latin) – 2nd Place – 9
• National Creative Writing Competition (Latin) – 3rd Place – 10
• Published in Teen Ink, Cicada Magazine, and school's literary magazine several times. </p>

<p>Music Awards</p>

<p>• Silver State Competition (Statewide Music Competition in Nevada)
- Reached this competition every year since 9th grade
- 1st Place in Classical Duet – 10
• Jazz Festival
- Participation from Middle –High School every year
- Received Superior and Excellent Ratings
• Green Valley Music Festival
- Received one Superior and one Excellent Rating</p>

<p>Other Miscellaneous Awards: </p>

<p>• National Latin Exam
- Silver Medal/Maxima Cum Laude – 9
- Magna Cum Laude – 10, 11 </p>

<p>• Classical Literacy Exam
- Silver Medal – 10
- Bronze Medal – 11</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Medical Clinic (Gynecology): Administrative/Financial Tasks
- Private Musician
- Private Tutor for science/math/writing</p>

<p>SUMMER ACTIVITIES:
o Best Buddies National Leadership Conference – Indiana University
o Summer @ Brown Program: Psychology
o Internship at Brain Center</p>

<p>QUESTIONS:
1. Will it hurt me that I haven't worked at the hospital - I'm not a typical Asian with top scores and incredibly strong GPA and all that - but I do have a lot of leadership and passion with my EC's and volunteering. I love writing & I’ll make sure my college essays will be good (and definitely not cliché) & my rec letters should be good too. Can I make up for my low scores with my EC's and stuff?
2. Also, as for my ethnicity, my mother is somewhat hispanic, but I've never truly identified myself as hispanic/asian - just mainly asian or other whenever ethnicity questions were asked on standardized tests. So should I include hispanic/asian?</p>

<p>Thanks guys! and I will chance back!</p>

2

<p>I think you should definitely apply to some top notch schools. Your stats seems to be really great and I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
I would consider lower ivies for sure</p>

3

<p>ECs don’t really “make up” for scores unless they’re somehow unique/spectacular …like you’re a published author of a best seller.</p>

<p>That said, your stats are good enough for many good schools.</p>

<p>What is your major?</p>

<p>Is your home state Nevada?</p>

<p>What is your budget to pay for school? How much will your parents pay?</p>

4

<p>puppies, I believe that many selective colleges and universities would be interested in you. </p>

<p>First, as has already been pointed out, clarify your financial situation. Do you need financial aid? If yes, does your family qualify for need based aid? The answers to those questions will determine how you build your list.</p>

<p>In my opinion, your scores will not be a problem. Do some prep and take the SATI again. Then forget about it. What is your rank?</p>

<p>Yes, yes, yes your hispanic/Indian heritage will be very valuable in admissions, especially at colleges that have a hard time attracting high achieving non-Whites. These would include some (not all) colleges in the Midwest and South, small LACs in rural locations and many less selective large universities. Diversity is a big draw and you should definitely leverage your multi-cultural background. You do this through your essays and recommendations.</p>

<p>You should plan to submit a music performance tape as a supplement to your application, even if you do not intend to major in music. At smaller schools, you could also submit your creative writing.</p>

<p>If you are able or willing to play tennis or basketball on a college level, then contact the coaches now.</p>

<p>Don’t worry about the lack of community service. What you need to do is focus your ECs so that your application tells a story about who you are and what you can bring to the campus community. There’s a lot there to work with.</p>

<p>In my opinion, all of these factors – your academic accomplishments, your profile, your ECs – add up to a very strong applicant. Settle the financial aspect first, then think about what YOU want from a college. E.g., size, location, personality.</p>

<p>Some ideas to get you started: Smith, Wesleyan, Williams, Kenyon, Bowdoin. I could go on, but I think you need to have a foundation of what appeals to you.</p>

<p>There’s nothing in your background that would prevent you from applying to top schools (assuming that the money’s there) but you should definitely have a balanced list that includes one or two safeties.</p>

5

<p>At this point, your ACT is the stronger score. By all means give the SAT I another shot but, if it doesn’t go up, just submit your ACT score. Is one of your parents Hispanic? That will be a nice hook for you. I would look at schools that have between a 15% and 30% admit rate.</p>

6

<p>i think you can look into emory, UVA, UNC, and schools in that area. </p>

<p>your ACT should be used instead of your SAT.
some LACS can be amherst, williams, tufts, etc.</p>

<p>chance me backk!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1165439-please-chance-me-also-can-i-actually-get-into-any-these-aiming-too-high-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1165439-please-chance-me-also-can-i-actually-get-into-any-these-aiming-too-high-2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Hey guys - thanks for all your comments and suggestions! I will definitly take those to heart! Aprpeciate it! </p>

<p>Now, what schoool should I apply ED? Would Brown (even though i may not get in) be a good school to apply ED for?</p>

<p>What ivies have the most ED acceptance?</p>

8

<p>Agree, submit your ACT’s if a retake of SAT doesn’t increase to low to mid-700’s (that would be a good goal range if planning to apply to Brown anyway). What is your EFC? What can you afford? I think you’re going to have some great options --you look good on paper, as they say. Brown is a really good choice for ED if you can afford it, and the cognitive science program is excellent. I would also look at Oberlin (both music and cognitive science programs and they will actually want you to double major), and I would also look at Vassar, UVa, UNC Chapel Hill, Princeton (why not? :). Good luck!</p>

9

<p>*what are some solid safety/reach/match colleges for me?</p>

<p>*</p>

<p>It sounds like you have some great reach ideas.</p>

<p>However, for safeties, we need to know if you need financial help because safeties don’t give much need-based aid. So, if you need financial help, you will need to apply to safeties that will give you lots of merit for your stats.</p>

<p>HOw much will your parents pay?</p>

10

<p>My parents are definitely able to pay for the schools I apply for - I just don’t know what schools to apply to! So is Brown the best ED school to apply for? </p>

<p>And thank you all for your comments!</p>

11

<p>i see what you’re saying. Your scores are not bad, i think that your ACT is definitely better. If you’re thinking neuroscience, apply to upenn, i have a cousin that goes there, and he got in with a 32 composite. I’m not that great with which schools are great with majors, but your ECs will definitely interest top colleges.</p>

12

<p>Don’t try to game the system. You can do that with EA, but not ED.</p>

<p>The best choice for ED is whatever college is your first choice. This seems obvious, but you haven’t actually said what your #1 is. Ask yourself “If I don’t apply ED to Brown (or any other school) will I always regret it?” </p>

<p>Before you make any decision on ED you should visit. Brown is a wonderful college, but Providence isn’t for everyone.</p>

13

<p>Just want to say it one more time, but you run an estimated EFC before applying ED anywhere. It would be a big mistake to apply ED, get in and then not be able to afford it. You can’t break that contract easily and it’s just not something you want to do, so be absolutely positive that your parents can afford it first. So although you are certain family can afford it, do the EFC figures first (investments, salary, all kinds of factors may make it higher than you believe). </p>

<p>I saw that you spent a summer at Brown already, so I am assuming this is your #1 choice and that was why you were asking if ED is a good idea. Yes, and I don’t see ED as gaming the system if 1, you can afford it, 2, it really is your first choice and you will attend if you get in ED. I’ve visted Brown too and it was my son’s first choice. We couldn’t apply ED, but would have if our EFC had been lower. Sometimes you really do have a clear #1 school and there’s no reason to not take advantage of the ED at Brown if that is your first choice. The acceptance rates are much better. Seem to remember looking up all the percentages and it’s significant enough to just do it if you can (acceptance rates this year RD were only about 8%, ED is about double that and you may get deferred which will give you one more shot). But run that EFC first --it’s really the major deciding factor on whether this is a viable option for you or not.</p>

14

<p>jkiw, Sorry, I didn’t make myself clear. I don’t see ED as gaming the system as long as the ED choice is really your first choice. What I would advise against is applying ED to a school that isn’t your first choice because you believe you’d have a better chance of admission than at your first choice. </p>

<p>I’m actually a great fan of ED (it worked well for my son) but, as you point out, you have to settle the money first.</p>

15

<p>Actually I’m in agreement with you --I wasn’t sure I was clear enough in my first post about only applying ED once the OP knew the actual cost to attend Brown. I also did see that she spent a summer there, so was assuming she knew it was her first choice. I think it’s better not to assume though, so you just motivated me to be more clear. I wasn’t trying to be defensive about your “gaming system” comment as much as I was trying to be clearer about the EFC being first and foremost before applying ED. ED is a good choice for some when the first choice is clear AND they can afford that first choice. We really didn’t have it as an option, but it’s a great one in the right circumstances.</p>

16

<p>@ JkwiwMom - I appreciate you helpful comments. I can assure you that we already went through the numbers and everything - my parents can definitely afford Brown. And yes, I did attend summer @ brown and I absolutely loved it. I really want to go in for neuroscience (as it’s one of the best in the u.s.) and that’s why brown is my first choice. And I will for sure be applying there ED. Thank you so much for your advice on finances and you were right in assuming that Brown is my first choice. :] </p>

<p>@ momrath - I was not trying to “game any system.” I was merely asking whether Brown would be a good ED school for me considering the stuff that I’ve done relating to neuroscience. I’ve already visited Brown and am determined that there’s where I want to go to school. Please dont make false accusations.</p>

17

<p>Great, then absolutely apply ED to Brown! It’s the perfect college in my humble opinion :). Good luck!!!</p>

18

<p>I wasn’t making any accusations false or otherwise. I support ED wholeheartedly as long as it’s the applicant’s top choice (and the money’s there). You clarified the money aspect but had never told us that Brown was your #1, nor had you mentioned that you’d visited and “absolutely loved it.” Your question about acceptance rates at the Ivies indicated that you hadn’t made up your mind.</p>

<p>Good luck and let us know how it turns out.</p>

19

<p>Thanks for chancing me!
You have a really great chance at brown and seem like you’d love it there.
Definitely retake your SAT I’s-mostly because it acts as a filter in the preliminary steps of the application process for most schools.
Best of luck!!</p>

20

<p>Oh and in regards to the race questions, personally if I had that option would play it up. It won’t hurt you in the application process, so go for it!</p>