You Only Live Once: So chance me please?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys, I was wondering if you could chance me for Penn, Brown, Columbia, and Yale! I know, they're all pretty much reaches, but I'd just like to know where I stand. Thanks!</p>

<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
School Type: Highly competitive public school in a suburb of NYC, sends plenty of kids to Ivies each year, ~280 students in my class.
***Hook: Penn legacy (dad and grandfather)</p>

<p>GPA: Unweighted is 95 point something; Weighted is 101 point something (number grades)
- all grades are in the 90s except three difficult research classes in the high 80s (I tried doing behavioral research, ended up not being my thing) and an 89 in Precal Research Honors.
--- *I think my GPA is a bit inflated by classes like gym and chorus, etc., so my unweighted from just academic classes would be around a 93.5. Would this hurt my chances?
- all honors/AP
- so far, 5's on Euro, APUSH, Bio, and BC Calc</p>

<p>Senior Course Load: AP Lit, AP Spanish, AP Macro, AP Gov, AP Physics B, Multivariable Calculus/Differential Equations, Chorus</p>

<p>Scores:
- SAT I: 760 CR, 720 M, 800 W (12 essay) first time; 800 CR, 750 M, 800 W (9 essay) second time. So basically my superscore is 2350. You're welcome, I did the math for you!
- SAT II: Bio E - 770, Math II - 800, U.S. History - 800</p>

<p>Awards (mostly minor stuff): Honorable Mention at a regional research competition, silver medal at a local math fair, All County Chorus since elementary school (hopefully All State this year), local Heroes of Autism award, chosen as one of 2 students to represent my school in a national essay competition (didn't win haha), National Merit Commended.</p>

<p>EC's:
- Drama Club for four years (Membership Coordinator)
- Lacrosse for four years (varsity for two years)
- Athletes Helping Athletes (athlete leadership club - "don't drink! respect each other!" etc)
- Student council rep for two years, Jr. Prom Committee
- School's special chorus for four years
- NHS (treasurer), FLHS (secretary), Tri-M
- Speech and Forensics for two years, qualified for States soph year
- Columnist for the school newspaper
- Singing lessons for like 10 years</p>

<p>Volunteering: I think I'll have over 200 hours by the time I graduate. Mostly autism related things.
- On the board of a charity that organizes an annual basketball tournament for kids to benefit autism.
- Involved with groups that help autistic children in the area learn to play baseball and basketball. I'll be the student head volunteer of the baseball league this year.</p>

<p>Work Experience: Working this summer at day camp for two months - I'm a "shadow" for an autistic child (basically a one-on-one counselor).</p>

<p>I think my essay will be very interesting and unexpectedly intellectual compared to my extracurriculars.</p>

<p>I'd probably major in either Communications (most practical), Creative Writing, or History (least practical). I've always been passionate about culture and history, and I love the art of storytelling, so I'm kinda split between them.</p>

<p>Let me know what you guys think! Also, any school-specific tips on like how to frame my app and passions? I know it seems like I just have a long list of activities but I like keeping busy and trying different things so I hope it doesn't work against me haha
Thanks in advance (I'll try to chance back)</p>

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<p>Also, I don’t think it really matters that much, but my grandpa went to Columbia Law School, so I think I technically have a legacy at Columbia then? haha</p>

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<p>I’m not too familiar with that GPA scale, but based on your SAT scores, your awards, and your legacy, your chances at Penn are pretty good. You have a two-generation legacy. However, since I’m not sure if your grandfather going to Columbia for GRAD school will do much for you, I’d still consider Columbia a reach. I think Yale is kind of a reach too, because, you know, Yale is Yale. An Ivy Big Three. It’s nothing against you or your scores though. As for Brown, I think your chances are better. Brown’s only ranked #15 according to US News (Yale #3, Columbia #4, Penn #5), but then they do have a 10.2% acceptance rate, just like the other three, so I’m not sure what’s up with that.</p>

<p>My friend’s older sister got into Penn last year with only slightly higher scores and more prestigious awards – 2390 SAT, National Merit Finalist. However, she wasn’t legacy.</p>

<p>I’d try to win some more awards to spice up your apps, just because I think you’re a bit lacking on distinguished ones there. Not sure exactly how to “frame your app and passions,” but I’d focus on one main thing, or theme, whatever, and build everything else around it. Mention that you like trying different things. That may work for you, since your ECs really displays it.</p>

<p>Overall, you have some pretty awesome stuff going on! Good luck.</p>

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<p>Thanks for your input, alliekinz!</p>

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<p>youre definitely competitive at all these schools, but nothing is for sure at the ivies cause of the lottery-like system of how extremely qualified applicants are chosen. id say your best shot is at penn, cause of the legacy</p>

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<p>Thanks ard! Yeah, it’s pretty obvious that Penn is my best bet but I’m not sure yet if it’s the place that’s best for me, fit-wise.</p>

7

<p>bumpty bump bump</p>

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<p>haha uh bump x2</p>

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<p>What suburb of NYC?</p>

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<p>Haha why, magentaturtle?</p>

11

<p>Just curious. I don’t go to your school if you are wondering.</p>

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<p>Haha, I’m not paranoid or anything, I just don’t think it’s necessary for me to say ;)</p>

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<p>It is actually. Geographic residence is considered in some schools :)</p>

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<p>I really doubt that there is a difference between public school applicants from Westchester versus Northern NJ, etc.</p>

15

<p>Bump!!!</p>