Chance a Venezuelan girl for Cornell Brooks + Other reaches (3.7 UW, 1400 Superscore) [FL resident, low income; sociology, psychology, public policy]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

  • US domestic ** US citizen
  • State/Location of residency: FL
  • Type of high school Public (Charter), low income, title 1. Advanced academics department still manages to send a few kids to t10-t20s every year. So far, my class has gotten admitted to JHU and Rice.
  • Gender/Race/Ethnicity (optional): Hispanic, born in venezuela
  • Other special factors (first generation to college, legacy, athlete, etc.):
    first gen, low income
    Intended Major(s) Sociology or psychology or public policy

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.7
  • Weighted HS GPA (incl. weighting system): 4.9 FL Weighing System (7 points per AP/dual)
  • Class Rank: Top 10%; 29/456
    *ACT/SAT Scores: 1400 superscore (going test optional)

Coursework
8 APS, but will be applying with 12.
AP Spanish Language: 5, AP World History: 3, AP Seminar: 5, AP European History: 4, AP English Language: 5, APUSH: 3, AP Psych: 5, AP Art History: 4
AP Classes this year: AP Chem, AP Lit, AP Bio, AP Compsci P
4 Dual Classes, taking a total of 5-6 dual classes next year, graduating with my Associates (school limits in-school dual enrollment for seniors who have finished their credits, so most dual enrollment classes at my school could only be taken after school which collided with my family’s schedule). Took honors classes whenever they were available

Awards
I think this is my weakest section
Article Published at big Miami newspaper
Article Published at big Washington DC newspaper (in cooperation with the Head Hispanic Media Director of the DNC at the time)
Interviewed by big Miami tv channel regarding TPS changes and immigration
Selected for a competitive technology program aiming to close the gap between poc, women, fgli students and tech; $1000 stipend
AP Scholar With Distinction
Collegeboard Research Participant
National Hispanic Recognition Scholar (Collegeboard)
English Student of the Year
Constant Principal Honor Roll throughout 2 years

Extracurriculars
Internship with the Organization of American States (diplomatic body in the Americas): Wrote a research paper under their mentorship
Part of a group of cyber reporters and student leader for a Venezuelan channel with over 400k followers on Instagram, 884k subscribers on Youtube. Work includes working to end the lack of journalism in Venezuela due to the dictatorship. (100+ volunteer hours)
Columnist at Big Miami Newspaper
Research Internship with big local university
Writing a research paper for a big anti gun violence organization
Worked with many nonprofits to deliver resources to impoverished Hispanic households
Volunteered at the local TPS center, aiding immigrants by giving them food and water to withstand the brutal long hours of waiting outside in the Florida heat.
No club activity due to yearly fees and mandatory competition fees that I cannot afford. So I had to do activities outside of school.
Increased activity in Junior and Senior year due to financial and transportation circumstances that made me pay more attention to taking care of my siblings and the house.

Essays/LORs/Other
(Optionally, guess how strong these are and include any other relevant information or circumstances.)
Essay: 9.5/10. I think my personal statement will be the highlight of my application. A very charged, emotional essay about the time the TV channel I volunteer at got raided by the Venezuelan police, and the steps I took as part of a team to eventually get the Organization of American States and other organizations to condemn the attack. I think this story would be really unique and one of a kind, and shows a lot of impact.

LOR from my Psych teacher: 8/10
LOR from AP English: 8/10
LOR from Internships, volunteer work: 9/10
LOR from Counselor: 9/10
Cost Constraints / Budget Income is 37k, EFC of 0. I will need to rely on need based scholarships to attend colleges without debt

Schools
Familiar with Florida colleges due to me living there, and Bright Futures. But I would like the chance to go out of state as well.
I was not chosen for Questbridge Finalist.

  • Safety (certain admission and affordability)
    FIU
  • Likely (would be possible, but very unlikely or surprising, for it not to admit or be affordable)
    USF
    UCF
    FSU
  • Match
    UCF, FSU
    UPitt (Accepted with guaranteed admission to a Developmental Psych Masters degree!!)
  • Reach
    UF
    Wellesley ED1 → Deferred :frowning:
    Cornell Brooks
    JHU
    Yale
    Barnard
    Tufts
2

I think you will get into all the safety, likely, and match schools you listed. I think you have a small to medium chance at UF and the rest of the reaches are a very small chance. But you have a really balanced list and there are absolutely no bad schools here. Any of them would be lucky to have you.

Edit to add: If you have not done so, apply to USF, and UCF ASAP. They are rolling, and these schools get more and more competitive as the admissions cycle goes on.

3

Is Pitt affordable?

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I’m currently waiting to see if I get invited to Kessler (full ride), and I’m waiting to see if I get merit aid. But on its own, Pitt wouldn’t be that affordable (23k/yr)

5

I’m turning in UCF today! I have been putting off the SPARK form lol.
And thank you! I also think that out of all of my reaches, I have the best shot at UF

6

Where did you get $23k per year for Pitt?

The OOS tuition cost is nearly double that and that doesn’t include fees, room, board, books, personal expenses.

https://www.tuition.pitt.edu/undergraduate/tuition/pittsburgh?campus=30

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Yeah, that net price calculator gave me 23k/yr. And i have an extra 4k from Raiseme.

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8

Ah! That’s not so bad…but if it’s not affordable…it’s not affordable.

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I hated the spark form. I don’t know why they can use the SSAR like everyone else.

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Pittsburgh should be reclassified:

  • If $23k is affordable, it is a safety. But that seems unlikely with family income of $37k (financial aid offices commonly expect that you can come up with $5.5k direct loan plus $3-5k work earnings part time in the school year and summers, which falls short of $23k).
  • If $23k is not affordable, and there is no pending financial aid or scholarships that would reduce the net price to <$10k, then it is out-of-reach (effectively a rejection).
  • If $23k is not affordable, and there are pending financial aid or scholarships that could reduce the net price to <$10k, then it may be a match or reach depending on the likelihood of such financial aid or scholarships.
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FIU, USF, UCF and Pitt would be ins - and I assume the first three affordable.

FSU - a match.

The rest unlikely but you never know.

Best of luck.

12

Naturally the reaches are reaches for everyone.

But you have a good class rank, rigorous academics, and I think your OAS internship, involvement with a big social media/video channel, activism with your birth country, and research project can help you stand out. I wouldn’t be too concerned about awards - you have plenty else to show for.

Hopefully, one of the reaches will come through, and with sufficient financial aid.

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15

Hi you were right! I was admitted to Williams College with a full ride!!

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Congrats!

17

That’s terrific! Congratulations!