<p>suze you are quick to assume you know my rank. i will have you know i am as of my most recent report card in our classes third ranking. I dont’ think a 2100 + is anything to scoff at, so to say I am nowhere in the league is not totally true, a good friend of mine who graduated from my school last year took no IBs, but had strong grades, a 2120 and is in Harvard!</p>
<p>Yeah, it would put you in a different league. A 2100 is the 97th percentile, whereas a 2250 is in the 99th. However, a 2100ish is EXTREMELY good and you should be proud, even if you don’t get into an ivy right away :)</p>
<p>My point was that if you were val of your school, you would have a 26% chance at Brown at most coming from an average HS. Work from there.</p>
<p>I have to respectfully disagree with your counselor. Does she have scattergrams for past classes?</p>
<p>The problem is if you focus on top schools where you have almost no chance, you are likely not to put the necessary effort into schools you CAN get into. At the schools where you have a real chance, dedicated interest really matters. Also, if money matters, that needs to be part of the strategy.</p>
<p>You are saying you are number 3 with the grades you describe in the OP? I am quick to assume that would be impossible in any school I have seen. A 2100 is a great score, just not for top colleges unless you’re hooked.</p>
<p>Look, none of this is my opinion, I read CDSs and they tell the truth.</p>
<p>I don’t know what your career goals are, but remember you can always apply to attend an Ivy for graduate school, which may work better for the “late bloomer”.</p>
<p>I don’t want to disappoint you with more ‘transfer’ suggestions…</p>
<p>But I will tell you one thing – a lot of people on this board know what they’re talking about. Your freshman year grades are too low. Even if a college didn’t count them, they’d look at rank, and if at your school, a 2100 is the highest, it definitely means there is less competition at your school.</p>
<p>I go to a school where 2100 is the norm, and getting ranked within the top 5% is difficult to achieve. People here get straight As since their freshman year and still get rejected by schools like Cornell or Brown. Some of them have great scores, and even have hooks. They still get rejected in huge numbers.</p>
<p>Remember, there is a crazy chance you might get accepted. However, I would take into consideration all the advice you are getting. Your chances are slim to none considering your freshman grades, and a 2100 is amazing but not phenomenal.</p>
<p>One school that I recommend you look at is University of Chicago. It’s in my city and there’s solid proof that they are more forgiving about grades. They also put more weight on essays and the subjective areas of your application. U of C is ranked at #9 on USNews, and while a lot of people don’t care about the rank, it is up there with some of the big-whigs.</p>
<p>In all honesty, I’m glad that you feel invincible. You’re going to do well in college, no matter where you go.</p>
<p>I’m in the opposite situation as you, with a low SAT and a near-perfect highschool record. My counselor has been very, very realistic with me. People on this board have been devastatingly honest. I was hurt by their remarks at first, but a lot of people have very valuable advice to impart. Trust the people who have been here for a long time – they’ve been on CC enough to see people in similar situations as you. Before, I was “PrincetonPrincetonPrinceton”… I couldn’t get my mind off of one university. Now I’ve opened up my search a bit, even shocking my friends about considering a women’s college. </p>
<p>Be realistic with yourself, but don’t be afraid to reach, either. I know it’s tough and with your newfound confidence, you want to reach great heights. I believe you can do it if you give yourself an honest assessment about your abilities – and I know that SAT scores and GPA aren’t everything.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>These people are trying to give you good advice, and they are being realistic. I wouldn’t bank on going to Brown. But that doesn’t mean that you need to give up on going to a great school. </p>
<p>Work hard, continue to study. You should be VERY proud of what you have achieved. Do a lot of college research. Maybe you’ll find that Brown ISN’T where you want to go. Look at the liberal arts schools. I know I’m slightly biased, as I have never wanted anything more than to end up at a top LAC. BUT, you will absolutely be rewarded for your hard work and find a great school that you will love, so long as you keep it up. </p>
<p>Honestly, I wouldn’t advise transferring from a lesser school, because I don’t think it’s really worth it. With your grades, I think you can get yourself to a school where you’ll be just as happy. Just do your homework on colleges. Make a good list. Absolutely shoot for some reach schools and explain your transformation and appeal to them. Go for interviews. Work hard on your essays. But also try for some match and safeties and make sure you LIKE them and could see yourself there. There are SO many great schools. Don’t get so caught up on the Ivies. A lot of people here are. I’m not saying I don’t think you’re smart enough for the Ivy Leagues. But I am saying that most of these people are probably right in saying that you won’t get in-- but you never know! Don’t give up. But don’t let that undermine your confidence. You are intelligent and CAN get into a great school. So find the right schools for you. Good luck.</p>
<p>Well said starbursting!!</p>
<p>anewkid- do you know that saying “shoot for the moon; if you don’t reach it, you’ll land amongst the stars”? I’d say it definitely applies to you, and quite possibly the majority of we college-bound students: there are sooo many wonderful opportunities out there for you–so many wonderful colleges that would snap you up in a heartbeat. Sure, statistically speaking, Brown’s a stretch, but don’t let the data get you down. There are, after all, a lot of stars in the sky. </p>
<p>As an added bonus, say you apply to Brown without expectations and are accepted! I suppose you’ll feel a lot more joyous than that kid–maybe even valedictorian–who clawed his/her way through every last A and EC in hs just to statistically stand a chance at Brown, and was rejected!</p>
<p>(Perish the thought, I might add, because I <em>highly</em> respect someone so motivated as that kid. I truly wish I could be so determined)</p>
<h1>3? Unbelievable grade inflation with low sat scores, you go to one interesting school.</h1>
<p>::slaps face::</p>
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<p>It always seems like people have a “good friend” at Harvard to justify their claims. Kind of odd.</p>
<p>Listen anewkid. Congrats on your late bloom, but you really have to face reality. Sure, you should “shoot for the moon,” but a 2100 isn’t “spectacular.” Go check out some of the previous threads on acceptances; 2200+ with 4.0UW still get rejected. All the time. Even 2300’s. 2400’s get around 50%~ chance.</p>
<p>Pats on the back for your sudden drive and passion for education, but really, the jolt of improvement is not going to cover those D’s and F’s. Go read up on elite college admissions a bit more, and I think you’ll see what people are telling you. </p>
<p>You can argue all you want, but college admissions is much harder than you’ll ever imagine.</p>
<p>I also think that you have to consider that these type of grade trends are nowhere near as rare as you think that they are. Even at the rare school like Princeton or Stanford that does not look at your freshmen year, a F, a D, and other unspectacular grades are going to stick out like a sore thumb. I also don’t advocate being score-obsessed, but the reality is that at schools like Brown and Cornell, a 2100, as good as it is, is BELOW average. A 2100 alone would not keep you out of a top school, but it is most certainly not a push factor to get you in, especially with so-so grades. </p>
<p>I also am doubtful that someone with far less than a stellar GPA could be ranked third in their class…third decile, perhaps. </p>
<p>Plus, for every good friend that got into X uber selective university with dubious stats, there is at least one other kid with GREAT stats who was rejected, and many times that number of okay to good stats kids who were rejected. Exceptions are not the rule. Sure, apply to those top choice universities, but you need to make a realistic list overall and not have any expectations for admission.</p>
<p>Your situation is not unheard of, but it’s not the norm, either. For better or worse, it <em>will</em> get you noticed. I had a very poor freshman year of high school, with a good but very vague explanation. The rest of my application was strong. I ended up at a school that I’m very happy with, and I got into some very respectable schools. That said, I also got rejected from safeties. Every school will view your situation differently, and it’s basically impossible for you to make predictions. For that reason, you might end up applying to a broader group of schools than your peers. I’d encourage you to apply to your dream schools, but to keep a realistic view of the situation. I’d also encourage you to realize that you can be challenged, can get a great education, and can continue to feed the floodgates at many, many non-Ivies. </p>
<p>Don’t be overly discouraged by hearing “you’ll never get in,” because your situation is NOT one that can really be predicted. At the same time, be aware of your situation and don’t rely on exceptions to the rule (like your Harvard friend).</p>
<p>I would include an addendum with your applications explaining why grades were so low at the beginning, but I don’t know that I’d make a big point of a sudden, out-of-the-blue transformation. I guess my question as an admissions officer would be “Well, if she got interested all of a sudden and for no real reason, what’s to prevent the reverse?” So perhaps that’s a question for you to answer. It could make a good essay if you make sure to assume responsibility for your situation. I know that “have a reason” and “assume responsibility” sound contradictory, but I don’t think they have to be. You’ll have to tread carefully, but I think that the whole situation could make your application more interesting.</p>
<p>Good luck. I know it’s a flustering situation, but keep up the good work and know that things will work out :-)</p>
<p>I want to thank each and every one of you for your encouraging words (except Tarni) and most of all I know you are all being very honest. I am realistic, so I want to make that clear, I know the chances are slim to get into an ivy…but its not going to keep me from applying. My counselor did not say I would get in but did encourage me to keep my head up and apply anyway, she has seen a few similiar situations with surprisingly good results but was the first to say the last two years and this one coming up are all part of the “unprecedented baby boom years” in college admissions and tough is an understatement. It keeps me working though and I am as motivated as ever.</p>
<p>I also want to make clear no way am I #3 in my class, we break it down to the top 5%(1), the top 15%(2), the top 30%(3) and so on, I am group 3, the top 30% of my grade. The average SAT score for my school is around a 1700+ but there is a select group of highly intelligent IB kids who all score between a 1900-2260 the first time around.</p>
<p>I am going to obviously concentrate on schools that I Know I have a good shot at getting into, but will plead me case to whichever ivies I end up applying to, which likely will be Cornell (1st chioce ivy) and Brown. </p>
<p>What do you think about my chances at a school like BC? Villanova? NYU? BU? U of Miami? These are all schools I have visited and really liked as well. I have a feeling I will indeed end up applying to a huge range of schools, everything from a safe state school to a top tier ivy school. I also think I will end up applying to many more schools than say the average but my situation is somewhat unique and I think that choice reflects that.</p>
<p>For now I am just going to keep plugging away and keep studying for the SAT and working hard in school, doing my outside actitivies and not let anything get in my way. I know transfer is always a viable option but I want to think that wherever I go ends up being so awesome that I won’t even want to transfer. Thanks all for your candid views and encouraging words!:)</p>
<p>“What do you think about my chances at a school like BC? Villanova? NYU? BU? U of Miami?”</p>
<p>I would say that you’d have a good shot at Boston University. A decent shot at Miami. </p>
<p>Your chances are poor at BC and NYU. I don’t know about Villanova.</p>
<p>anewkid, you know your chances are slim at the Ivies, but I think you should apply, why not? There is only one 100% way you will NOT get in, and that is if you don’t apply! Just make sure that you apply to a few schools that would be considered safeties ( if you are not sure what schools these would be, discuss this with your guidance/college counselor )</p>
<p>datkid, while i respect your opinion, curious why you say decent shot at miami and little at BC, my adivsor said she thinks a very good shot at BC and Miami because in both I will be at least 200 points above their average SAT score and my grades in junior and hopefully eventually the start of senior year will be very strong. With all due respect I would have to give her advice a little more credibility since this is what she does for a living, she said ivy wise very very slim but that you never know. This is a crap shoot and quite arbitrary as we all find out every year with an unusual case here and there. Thanks though for your input.</p>
<p>anewkid, I think nothing should stop you from applying to any college you want to go to.</p>
<p>When making your list, the 2 sources you should trust most are the school’s common data sets and your school’s scattergrams. College counselors specialize in the colleges where their population most often goes. If 2100 is the highest SAT score at your school, your counselor probably has little experience with top colleges. I can also not emphesize enough that you need to make sure you have safety schools that are also financial safeties if you need any aid at all. After the ivies, there are few need blind schools…</p>
<p>Anewkid,
What everyone is trying to say is that SATS arent everything. First of all, congrats on your 2100. BTW, what is your total for just Cr. Reading and Math? Is it over 1500? This sill be another useful piece of info to help you as you begin your search. What everyone is trying to tell you is that your GPA will be very important, andif itr is only hovering inthe low 3’s (hare to recover fromthose freshman yr grades), even with the decent SAT, it will be unfortunately unlikely that you’ll be a viable candidate for the top schools. this is why schools such as U Miami, BU, Bucknell. Schools want to kjnow that you can cut the mustard and handle the rigor of your curriculum. Even though you are demonstrating that you are a late bloomer coming on strong, they may worry that you could have a tough time with rigorous chaallenges in college and potentially have a repeat of yoru HS frosh yr in college. I am not trying to be mean, jsut honest. They want to admit students who can succeed int their schools, and handle the academic pressure. </p>
<p>Somebody above lumped Pomona with Colgate and Bucknell. (Telletube, I think). They are in different leagues. Pomona is up there with Williams and Amherst, not with Colgate and Bucknell. Pomona is quite difficult to get into.</p>
<p>An SAT of 2100, without thousands of dollars of “SAT prep” classes and with only taking it once it something that you can emphasize. Also, as a former school administrator, I would pick you, anewkid, over a lot of the other students on here because you picked yourself up by your bootsteps and showed initiative, industriousness, etc. You’ve got a “hook” in your academic turn-around.</p>
<p>PS: I know a former student, who flunked out of freshman and sophomore year in HS due to extenuating circumstances. Junior year, with an infant in tow, she turned herself around and is now a senior at Harvard. Not sure what her “stats” are - but apparently Harvard saw her as a survivor, hard-worker, and not someone hiding behind thelaurels of a controversial, standardized test score- which can be manipulated by a variety of measures I’ve mentioned above. Apply where you want to! Give it your best shot! And, good luck - I am proud of your dedication. :)</p>
<p>I love how you ignore everything else that’s not “go and apply!”</p>
<p>No one is saying NOT to apply. That’s your freedom. What people are telling you is to ** please return to earth ** and realize that your advisor is not an end-all be-all, and SAT results are not the things that get you into ivy league colleges. Just because she does what she does for a living, does not mean she’s always correct. Plus, no one is saying “You will NOT get in,” but the chance of you making it, especially as college admissions next year will be even tougher than c/o 2011, will be * very * slim. But it is still, a chance.</p>
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<p>This is what I’m trying to say, and what everyone is trying to get you to understand. Go browse the “what are my chances” thread a bit more.</p>