4.0, 1490 midwest kid worries about his chances [MN resident, biochemistry, low income]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US domestic *

  • State/Location of residency: MN

  • Type of high school : Magnet school

  • Other special factors: (first generation to college, legacy, recruitable athlete, etc.) = FGLI, URM

Cost Constraints / Budget Max 30k, income for qb is 50k for a family of 6 with no assets so I should be under the cutoff.

Intended Major(s) biochemistry

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 4.0

  • Weighted HS GPA: school doesn’t weight

  • Class Rank: school doesn’t rank

  • ACT/SAT Scores: 1490 first try, retaking november

List your HS coursework

(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)

  • English: English 9, English 10. English 11, AP literature

  • Math: Mathematics 9, Mathematics 10, Mathematics 11, AP Calculus AB

  • Science: Biology 9-11, Physics 9-11, Chemistry 9-11

  • History and social studies:Social Studies 9, Social Studies 10, Economics, AP Human Geo

  • Language other than English: I took a class that is a mix for Islamic Studies and Arabic for 2 years

  • Visual or performing arts: Studio Art next semester

  • Other academic courses: AP Environmental Studies (12th grade), Emergency Medical Services (12th grade)

Awards

#1 in Chemistry in the district

Extracurriculars

Volunteering, 800+ hours, taught classes, organized food banks, raised donations

Worked from 10-11th grade, 15 hours a week, waiter

Family Responsibilities, I babysit my siblings and help my grandpa since both parents work, 6-10 hours a week

Model United Nations (9-11), Senior Chair in 11th grade, won best delegate

Skateboarding, became semi-finalist in a state competition 1-5 hours during the school year, 6-10 during the summer

Varsity Soccer, I was the captain last year, we won regionals

Short internship (6 weeks) at a government funded mental health caretaker organization

Essays/LORs/Other

Math teacher and MUN leader(10/10) She referenced specific things that I did in MUN, very touching, quote that stuck out to me was, " Many achieving students love adoration and praise. However, (me) always made sure to attribute the acheivement to those around him, focused on uplifting others rather then himself." which really ties into this empathetic kind kinda theme I went for throughout all my essays.

Geo teacher (4/10) super glowing, essentially 500 words of praise. Wasnt too specific, kinda mid

Counselor (7/10) pretty nice, she talked about how I take the hardest workload possible and stuff, referenced family issues and how I stepped up

Schools

Questbridge National Match

  1. Brown (exp PLME)
  2. Stanford
  3. Yale
  4. Duke
  5. Columbia
  6. Princeton
  7. Cornell
  8. MIT
  9. UPenn
  10. Dartmouth
  11. NU
  12. Rice

One of my top choices is the University of Minnesota, I’m also very interested in Williams, Pomona, Amherst, Swarthmore, Bowdoin, Vandy, Emory, Washu, JHU, USC, Georgetown, and Caltech. (for chancing)

recommend any schools to add to my list that are high targets/low reaches cause I’m not allowed to leave out of state unless its semi-prestigious.

Mainly worried about my ability to become a finalist and the lack of rigour, will not taking a foreign language hurt me?

Regretting not using the additional information, my old school didnt allow us to take any languages during 10th and 11th, and there were no APs or honor classes involved.

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I think your background is terrific. If I had to bet my own money, I think you will be accepted by at least one highly selective university on your list. Which one? Who knows. Holistic admissions are nutty and unpredictable.

I also want to warn you about some posts that will come from people on this board that will feel like attacks. People will freak out and say nonsensical things like, “Dartmouth and Columbia are so different, how could you possibly be interested in both?!?” People will also attack you for “chasing” prestige.

The truth is, the majority of bright students like yourself can enjoy just about any college environment…large or small, rural or urban, hot or cold climate.

Also, there are potential benefits to be had by attending a highly selective institution. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It isn’t an automatic ticket to being a zillionaire…but you already knew that. There are a lot of people here who are still angry that their own kids didn’t get into a highly selective school, so they spend years hanging around here taking out their resentment on top tier applicants like you.

You are going to do great things and I hope you come back and update us after your successful college application season.

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Love your list. Just add UMN or Morris and if you can afford it UWisc due to the reciprocation.

This way you have a home just in case with UMn a slam dunk.

You need to expand your QB list. Less competitive schools that meet need - Denison, St Olaf, Oberlin, etc.

Run the NPCs to see what they’d cost. F&M is another that meets 100% need as do Lafayette and Lehigh.

When you apply only to the tippy top, it’s gonna be tougher but hey why not you. But I’m suggesting you hedge a bit. That you love UMN is a nice insurance policy as you’ll most definitely get in. Then you can go high brow like you want.

Good luck.

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YOU UNDERSTAND OMG! i love most places, I love my 400 students minnesota freezing rural high school and I loved my 3000 people atlanta downtown high school. Just looking for a school with amazing facilities, an amazing education and better job prospects then their peers (some parent validation cant hurt). thanks for the confidence boost, i will update after my college application season for sure!

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Thanks for the UWM recommendation, I will add it for sure. St. Olaf is one I’m considering, parents dont feel comfortable with me even leaving oos so the exception is if its a reach/high target. I’ve seen alot of your comments (which were usually very insightful) throughout the forum, any other advice for an incoming senior?

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I thought they were a QB partner but aren’t.

I think any school that meets need - the NPC is your friend. There are many less competitive than your list so if you want a private, you can apply outside of QB.

To me, loving UMN removes all stress. Apply. Get a quick decision. Get into Honors. Apply to your qb reaches and more.

Get into none ? No prob - you have a school UMN that you love assuming it’s affordable.

Here’s others to check out with the net price calculator being the most important thing.

Ps thank you for the compliment.

https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/stolaf

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Do I hear “rural”? Your list looks good to me if you are happy with UMN - and what I like here is that most of them are part of the STARS initiative to reach rural students. I would sign up for the mailing list and look over its member schools for more ideas. Members. As for something less extreme reach, you might consider checking out Macalester, which is a QB partner and also meets full need (and is in state for your family). Good luck!

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Thanks! I will check out the STARS initiative for sure. I have been checking out macalester and will probably look into it more.

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*FYI, just in case you actually talk with the school admin. In Wisconsin, U Wi Madison is simply “Madison.” UWM is U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. If you call Madison “UWM” they will roll their eyes at you and will be totally confused. :slight_smile:

Good luck! Fingers crossed for you!

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You know about the North Star Promise program, right? MN families with AGI less than 80K now qualify for free tuition at any MN public.

I know that you want a highly selective out of state school, but this makes the U or any other state schools (Morris if you want a smaller school?) great and guaranteed safeties.

Best of luck to you.

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I did not know of this, but due to financial aid and fafsa I would already pay very minimal amounts for u of mn anyways. This is still a big burden off my parents which is very good, thank you. I am only aiming for u of mn twin cities, as it suits me fit wise much better then the rest.

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They are coming to my school next week, so very much needed information lmao. Thanks

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update: I was named a finalist!:partying_face:
also accepted to umn twin cities which is a huge relief, fingers crossed for the match and if not, then rd

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Congratulations!

Are you working on all the supplements for the twelve schools you listed in the OP? Did you rank 12 and not 15 schools?

Are your parents working on the CSS Profile?

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I am working on the supplementals currently, I’m a little behind due to school work but I should finish by the deadline. I’m ranking those 12 currently, might unrank Princeton if I can’t find a graded paper (which they require). Parents don’t know what the CSS is but I’m pretty close to finished with it, hopefully going to complete it and the IDOC today.

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I JUST MATCHED TO BROWN!!!

so grateful for this opportunity as it was my #1 ranked school. wow it feels surreal all around.

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Oh my goodness, I’m thrilled for you!!! Congrats!!!

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Congratulations!!!

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Your hard work paid off - congrats!

Remember, what will make this experience valuable is the people you will meet. Join many groups, say yes to every party, get to know every professor during office hours.

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