griffonr

Hispanic male attending public school in NY, did not grow up speaking spanish
GPA: 94%, ranked 20/240 (top 9%)
SAT: 2150 (740 CR, 670 M, 740 W)
SAT Subject Tests: 770 World History, 750 US History, 700 Spanish, 680 Spanish w Listening
AP: 5 World History, 5 European History, 5 US History, 5 English Language, 2 Biology
Senior Schedule: AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP French, AP Spanish, AP English Lit, AP Calculus AB, Physics, Psychology

Studied abroad twice in Spain over the past 2 summers, taking courses in Spanish language and community service

President of National Honor Society and my high school's JSA chapter, officer in Multicultural Group
Member of Foreign Language Society, Spanish Club, French Club, and Rotary Interact (international community service organization), Student Govt

For my intended major of linguistics, i should also note that i taught myself french throughout my sophomore year and the summer of 2008 to the level where i am currently taking AP french. additionally, i have started teaching myself russian this summer and will continue to do so throughout the school year to prepare for college courses.

I like Tufts because it is renowned for its great international programs, so what would you say my chances are? Thank you!

Seashore

Tufts does not have a linguistics major. That may be fine for you--it seems that you're interestested in languages rather than language, if you get what I mean.

griffonr

Oh right, I do remember that from the website, it slipped my mind when I posted this....but yes, for Tufts I will be applying as an international relations major. Do my chances look alright, though?

griffonr

And yes, I understand the common misconception that lingusitics = multiple languages, but my experience with learning different languages is more due to my interest of HOW people acquire them, leading to my linguistics interest. For other schools, where I am applying as a linguistics major, I am interested in learning about the manner in which languages are learned, how they have mutated over time, and their relationship with social/ethnic influences.

WCASParent

You have some pretty good points in your favor, but your ECs are not impressive and I would see whether you could exclude the Bio when you report your AP scores, because the others are of course terrific. Your math score's a little weak too, but not so low that it should be a barrier and your URM status is a plus. You've got a decent shot RD, but there will, of course, be lots of competition, so it's impossible to know.
Good luck!

griffonr

Without sounding too defensive, how are my ECs not impressive? I think they show a clear interest towards internationalism & my major, with 2 studies abroad, learning TWO languages on my own (albeit russian much less), president of 2 nationally known clubs, etc....but I'll stop because i have already written this, I am just confused as to how they are NOT impressive, and what would be?

lioness1120

There's actually a thread on CC about what DOES constitute impressive EC's and how people can represent themselves. Personally, I haven't read all of it. It's a really long thread and it's still getting added to. Frankly though, the vast majority of people on CC are the best of the best. People have crazy EC's, done research, written books.... anything you can really think of. Compared to some of them, you don't have impressive EC's. And the thing with clubs is that it all really depends on how active the club. It's like if you're nominated for an award but you win because no one else is nominated, it's less impressive than if you beat out 50 other people. Your school EC's AREN'T that impressive unless your school is different than most. What is impressive is that you taught yourself 2 languages, so I would really emphasize that in your application.

Otherwise, I think you have ok chances. Your math SAT is a little low but your SAT II's are strong. And I wouldn't worry about your AP scores. I got in and I had much worse AP scores. But I'm sure they take everything into consideration. I did extremely well in the classes, but I would freeze up on the tests. Your senior schedule is very vigorous as well, so if you can keep up the good work that'll help I'm sure.

"Those ECs are weak...."- So what's good?

BurnThis

How can you squeeze eight classes into your schedule? Reminds me of Hermione Granger!

griffonr

Ah I see lioness, thank you for directing me to that. I had the feeling that school clubs weren't that significant, but hopefully the fact that I am President of my school's chapters of 2 nationally-known clubs in NHS and JSA will hold some weight, and Rotary may also have some recognition, but we will see.

Like you said, I want to stress the languages + study abroad, although for the latter I did have to pay tuition for the classes, but regardless they are the items I want to highlight the most on my app.


As for my classes, my school does not have block scheduling, so I have the same classes every day. So every day I have my 5 core, 1 extra language, 1 elective (psych), lunch, and lab.

decanela

it's not what you do. it's why you do it.

Hopeful_Underdog

I think you are in. I think you'd be a competitive applicant without URM status... but I think with your URM status, you will get in. At least I would surprised if you didn't get in.

Good luck!