urbanlegend213

hey,

im trying to figure out which schools i should apply to and really want to get into an ivy school. My scores and gpa are low(2000sat/90gpa) but im not your average student. i come from an abusive household, my dad was arrested, parents went through a rough divorce, wouldnt see my mom( who i lived with) for weeks at atime, very poor, etc.

im not trying to start a sob story or even asking for sympathy, i truly feel greatful for my situation cause in the end its made me a stronger person. but i am curious if harvard or any of the ivies are a worthwhile application for me considering i do have a very weak application (although i have very strong ECs and Recs as well as a really great essay)

XX55XX

Just apply to the Ivy League schools whose academic programs/atmosphere truly interest you. Into business? Then UPenn should be your top choice. Want to spend four years in the wilderness? Apply to Dartmouth.

But, on the flipside, since you claim to be very poor, apply for some fee waivers and apply to all eight of the Ivies. (If you really want to do that, that is.)

urbanlegend213

thanks for the advice, but ive already got the fee waviers from my school. but i still dont want to waste my time, by doing all the supplemental essays and what not if i dont even have a shot

spiritualwitch

If you had posted this info some time in Aug. I would say apply for QuestBridge but now it's too late for that. I would say go for the Ivy League. You won't be wasting money for college applications and you can always reuse essays for other applications so you're not really going to lose anything except money for test scores. You should have already taken the ACT/SAT by now but some of the Ivies require SAT subject tests too. Columbia for instance requires two SAT subject tests. You still have time to take these tests, if you register RIGHT NOW, in December and you would still have time to apply to the colleges. Always have a back up though. If you get in, the financial aid at Ivies is really good (usually 100% of demonstrated need is met; ah the benefits of need blind schools!)

Good luck and I hope you really do apply to these schools! There is no harm in trying!

R124687

As for "atypical" household...I hate to say, and it's VERY unfortunate, it but your situation is not as atypical as I would hope. Firstly, you'd have to find a way to make your essay about your situation for them to even know about it. My own D said she refused to write about "struggles" unless that was the ONLY question (it was, on one of her scholarship apps). I can assure you that, while I feel terrible about what you've endured...MANY applicants have similar or worse stories. I don't care to share ours on CC, but...suffice it to say...well, everyone has their own story. This is not meant to disillusion you. Indeed, if Harvard is your dream why in the world would you not apply? If you have a fee waiver, and you have a "great essay"...what is one hour of your time to complete the rest of the application? If you don't apply, you will always wonder "what if"? If you DO...you MIGHT be a success story. Or, if not admitted...well, MOST applicants aren't admitted anyway...so you're in good company.