Please give me suggestion on match schools

thenextyao · 07-31-2005, 01:02 AM

I am planning to apply ED to Brown, but I feel that I don't have much chance there and might apply ED to other schools if u folks give me some suggestion.

I am a Korean-American living abroad.
English is my second language, and I have been under American curriculum for 3 years.

Here are my stats
GPA: 3.70/ 4.0 (The maximum GPA is 4.0, not 4.3. Anything above 94 is an A and something in between 84 and 93 is a solid B.)
SAT I: 2270 (710 C/R, 780 Math, 780 Writing. I will take it again in Oct.)
SAT IIs: IIC 790, Chem 770, US history 700 (crap)
APs: I haven't checked my scores yet, but I have taken AP Chem, AP English Lang. and Comp., and AP US History.
TOEFL: 280

Senior year schedule: AP English Literature, AP Calculus AB, AP Biology, AP Spanish Language, Physics (1st year), Global Issue (real easy class), and Strings (which is equivalent to "orchestra" class in American public schools)

My GPA for the first semester of junior year is really crappy. I got something like 3.15, so my cumulative GPA went down significantly. However, I bounced back by getting a 3.75 in the second semester.

E/C and Awards
* Orchestra for all 4 years (I have been playing the cello since 1998)
* University Interscholastic League Cello Solo 1st Class (UIL is a musical achievement testing used in Texas. I got the highest grade in 9th grade.)
* 1st place winner for The 15th Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association Math Contest (in 9th grade)
* Spanish Club President (12)
* PSAT National Merit Commended Scholar (11)
* National Honors Society (12)
* 200 hours of community service at Chimsulwon (It's a nonprofit organization in Korea where old ppl and the phsically challenged people are treated with oriental medicine. I treat patients with acupuncture and moxibustion)
* Taekwondo 2nd Dan holder
* Internship at two hospitals (50 hours)
* Track and Fields, basketball, and football in 9th grade (my current school doesn't have teams for Track and Fields and Fball. Therefore, this prolly doesn't count at all). I don't play any sports at this moment

collegehelp · 07-31-2005, 06:12 AM

What do you want to study? I think you would have a reasonable chance at many of the top 20 National Universities and top 20 National Liberal Arts Colleges in US News.

thenextyao · 07-31-2005, 06:58 AM

I want to study either biochemistry or chemistry. By the way, do I have any chance at BS/MD programs? My parents insist that I apply for BS/MD programs, but I feel that my GPA is quite low for those programs.

Actually Brown is my first choice and I am willing to work hard at that school. However, my parents think I won't survive at that school because it's an Ivy League school. I can't really decide where I should apply. Help me out please!

suze · 07-31-2005, 07:52 AM

You have a solid chance at Brown, if you love it, go for it!

collegehelp · 07-31-2005, 08:05 AM

By the way, if money is an issue and you get accepted ED then you are not supposed to be able to choose another college that might offer better aid. I find it hard to believe that a college could or would hold a student to their ED agreement if the aid package from the ED college were not acceptable. To the college, if they meet your financial need according to their formulas, then the aid package is acceptable. In other words, I think ED is a bad idea unless money is no object. Colleges know they can offer less grant aid to ED admits.

You should apply to several colleges, not just Brown. Brown is noted for being tight with aid money. Furthermore, Brown does not have the best reputation in the Ivy League. You should not go into the college selection process with your mind fixed on one school.

akjt · 07-31-2005, 08:22 AM

You mentioned early that Brown is your first choice and Williams is the second. Then forget Williams, since if you cannot get into Brown, then most likely you cannot get into Williams either. Your order doesn't make sense.

thenextyao · 07-31-2005, 08:41 AM

Question 1: Which Ivy is the least tight with money?
Question 2: Do I have any chance at any of the BS/MD programs despite my mediocre GPA (Even though 3.70 is pretty good at my school, I believe it would be considered low by many schools)?
Question 3: Of the 8 Ivy League schools, where should I apply ED?