3.2 GPA, late bloomer, HIGH SAT score, top university? - Page 5

Protagonist111 · 10-31-2009, 11:28 AM

See, maybe you guys are not so bad afterall. I have run into my share of pricks on this site so my assumption may have been superficial and my guidance counselor may have been right.

Also, I am thinking about 2 to 3 reach schools. Already applying to Boston College but I need one more reach school for out of state. Cornell maybe that reach school.

Anyways are those schools reaches for me as well?

Boston University and University of Washington

bovertine · 10-31-2009, 11:35 AM

To beat the dead horse everyone else is beating, you can apply wherever you want. It isn't that expensive, so why not apply to some super reaches if you would regret it in the future? As long as you have schools you would be happy with in the match and safety category, which you say you do.

All people on here can do is base their opinions on stats, Common Data Sets, Naviance, and their own anecdotal experience. So you take that advice for what it's worth.

The unfortunate truth is that this is a really tough year to apply to school, but that doesn't mean lightining won't strike for you, or more likely you'll get in someplace you like and do great. Plus even if you don't get in exactly where you want, there's always transfer.

And I fully admit to not knowing much about any of these schools (except that HYP is reach for everyone) so I can't tell you about any particular school on your list.

mom2collegekids · 10-31-2009, 11:45 AM

I think with your stats your "match schools" are many colleges ranked in the second half of top tier (the schools after top 50). Many of these schools have a minimum 3.0 req't, but they usually want higher. However, with your SAT, that should overcome that desire. So, certainly many to choose from to be "match schools".

I can't remember if money is an issue, but you might even find some who'll give you some merit money. I think Miss State would.

pugmadkate · 10-31-2009, 12:02 PM

Apology accepted. I am sorry that you had such a rough go of it and glad that you've improved your situation.

Quote:

(many here have children who have already graduated or are already attending the colleges of their choice, but never mind)...

Yes, this. I'm very sad to hear what your GC said. For our family, CC has been a lifesaver and I recommend it to everyone I know. To address what your GC said directly, several of schools on my son's list were recommended by parents whose children will be applying at the same time, including Yale. Not only that, we have a thread that posters keep updated of Data Sets for colleges so anyone can easily see the stats for themselves.

I have yet to see a parent actively discourage a student from applying anywhere. What I do see a lot of is clarifying exactly how difficult it is to get into some schools today with a lot of emphasis on "loving they safety." My wish for every student (including you) is that they to get into their dream school and that it is affordable, absent that I want the student to be truly happy at the match or safety school that accepts them. I've seen nothing but the same from other parents.

Protagonist111 · 10-31-2009, 12:04 PM

"I think with your stats your "match schools" are many colleges ranked in the second half of top tier (the schools after top 50"

Boston U is ranked 54 =D!

oldfort · 10-31-2009, 12:18 PM

I just came back from meeting a friend whose daughter is apply to schools this year, 3.9 GPA and 2200 SAT. The family was middle class until the father died very suddenly 2 years ago and the daughter was also diagnosed with a major health problem. She now needs FA to go to school because the family didn't do a very good job of financial planning. The mother had to go out get a job to support the family after been home for 15+ years. The daughter is a amazing kid who doesn't feel sorry for herself or is bitter about what happened. The highest ranking school she is applying to is Colgate, as an alum I am just thrilled because the school would be lucky to get a student like her. But I think she should consider other higher ranking schools to possibly get better aid or next tier down to get additional merit aid.

In reading this thread, comparing OP and this young lady, you get a real sense of how differently people deal with adversity. This young lady didn't let her father's death and her illness drag her down. She kept up her schoolwork, 15 hours of ballet, and a lot of volunteer work. I think the adcom will see her as someone with a lot of resilience who could over come adversity.

OP - it is great to have high aspiration to reach for top tier schools, but the time to have the aspiration is not when you are a senior applying to schools. To get into top schools it takes 4 years of hard work, not a few months of putting applications together.

As far as how knowledgeable people are on this board...My kids go to a top private school, where the GCs' only job is to get those kids into top colleges. I have scooped them a few times based on the information from this site. Our GC told my older daughter she was a shoo-in for Columbia, but she was rejected. In reading some of the stats on CC, I could see that there are a lot of kids with comparable stats with some other hooks. I found out schools my daughter was waitlisted went to the list before our GC did. Based on my information from CC, the GC called the school before other GCs did, and my daughter was admitted. FYI - she had 4.1 unweighted, close to 2200 SAT, all honors and APs, was waitlisted at Cornell, ultimately admitted. Take it for what that's worth.

I think if you were to eat some humble pies, you may actually get some great advice on this board.

ReadyToRoll · 10-31-2009, 12:51 PM

Oldfort, I lost you in the (second to) last paragraph...your daughter was rejected, then the GC called and she was accepted? Or are you talking about another child?

oldfort · 10-31-2009, 12:52 PM

My daughter was rejected at Columbia, waitlisted at Cornell, then got into Cornell.

CountingDown · 10-31-2009, 02:27 PM

Scroll down to get to the 2013 class profile --
QuickGuide | Boston University Admissions

A 1920 is in the middle of their 25-75% accepted range. Avg. GPA is A-, however that's defined. The more they want you, the better the FA package. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/19/ed...ial+aid&st=nyt

Protagonist111 · 10-31-2009, 02:33 PM

oldfort, awww your made up story really hurt

anyways I am applying to Boston College and Cornell, best of luck in trying to get me to stop because neither you or anyone on this site is going to be able to do that.

Cry me a river with your fiction, I will be applying to Cornell and Boston College and there is nothing you will be able to do about it.

Okay, I get a couple of good posts but now I get 2 hatemail letters and one fictional story from a disgruntled parent.

*yawns*
*get back to working on application* (see if you stop me from applying, come on do it)

Protagonist111 · 10-31-2009, 02:34 PM

oh and most guidance counselors know their stuff, a lot of the admissions officers know their stuff, most of you guys probably have not been to college and spend your hours on here making up stories to ruin the aspirations of others

A regular kid might fall into that trap but I won't, so why not write an essay if you truly have that much time to waste.

This is message is not for everyone but for the people sending me hatemail and from those telling me that I am not qualified enough.

thumper1 · 10-31-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

oldfort, awww your made up story really hurt

Oldfort's story is NOT made up.

No one is telling YOU not to apply. They are just telling you the experiences they have had to help you with some perspective on these schools. You have heard very even handed information. Some folks have posted about students with stats very similar to yours who HAVE gotten accepted to the schools...others are telling you about students who did not get accepted. There is no reason to assume that these "stories"..as you call them...are not true.

Schools accept a variety of students. Yours could be the application that catches someone's eye for some reason we can't possibly know. And then again...your application might not get past the first review. There is no way to know for sure.

Folks here are posting information that you can easily find on every website. Look for "profile of accepted students"...using the search function. Yes...you WILL see students accepted (a low percentile) with stats lower than yours.

Remember, however, that every school accepts developmental admits (folks who donate a TON of money), athletic recruits, and others who are notable (think...child of the president or other dignitary) regardless of whether their "stats" are high or not. These folks are included in the %ages you are looking at on the websites.

And please...you were apologetic...and kind...for a while. If you want helpful information (even if it doesn't make you HAPPY)...please continue to maintain an even keel while posting. Just my humble opinion.

Protagonist111 · 10-31-2009, 02:52 PM

thumper1: Okay, I need to be getting off for today before I start another flame war. To everyone, thanks for your advice, I need no more advice or stories. I am applying to some safeties and matches and my 2 reaches.

Don't waste the time to tell stories. They won't effect the outcome.

oldfort · 10-31-2009, 02:57 PM

I am sure your true self will shine through your essays. An Asian with a 3.2 GPA? Sheesh. As most Asian parents would say, "You could get a 3.2 without even opening a book."

coureur · 10-31-2009, 03:57 PM

Protagonist - Don't waste your time with BU, shoot even higher. Harvard awaits you. It's a sure thing. They are dying for people with your qualifications. Yale, Stanford, and MIT might be a little low for you, but keep 'em on the list anyway for safety schools - just in case Harvard somehow messes up its big chance and fails to offer you a spot.