Chance me please, severe college anxiety!

Chance Me / Match Me
1

I’ve been looking at colleges for the longest time and I’m still super unsure of my chances of admissions anywhere, I tend to underestimate myself but I don’t know how much. I’m working on more reach schools My GC is terrible and her goal is to get kids to go to college because many kids at my school don’t. I’m a female from Illinois. Also, I plan on being heavily involved in music in college, and I’ve been told playing an obscure instrument like bassoon may have the slightest sway for admissions.

So far, I’m planning to definitely apply to U of Illinois Urbana, University of Southern California, University of Chicago, Georgia Tech, Olin College, UMich, Purdue, and CalTech (high reach). I intend on majoring in Chemical Engineering, and possible double-major or minor in music/bassoon performance.

Stats:
GPA 3.98 UW, 4.74 W (4 for regular, 5 for AP/honors)
Ranking: Top 5% (highest percentile band awarded, will not be told where I fall in it)
ACT: 33 Comp ( 34 math & reading; 31 science; 9 on essay)
AP’s: Taken: MicroEcon (4), American Gov (3); Taken, no scores yet: Calc BC, US History, Physics 1, English Lang & Comp; Next year: Statistics, Physics C: E & M, Chemistry, Biology (may take Comp Sci individual study)

EC: Marching band (3 years), Math Team (4 years), Basketball (3 years), Volleyball (1 year), Social Action Club (3 years), Band (4 years, top ensemble for 3, required freshman level for 1) (Principal Bassoonist), Math resource tutor (3 years), Drama (3 years), Pep Band (4 years), Variety Show (2 years)
Also a member of a local orchestra, NHS, Phi Alpha Theta, and a travel basketball team for 2 years. I participated in All-District Honor band last year and my school district’s honor band for 3 years. I plan on audition for District/All State senior year and hope to make both.
Summer programs: Engineering camp at U of I after Soph year, engineering camp at Purdue and Bassoon Camp at U of I after Junior year
60 service hours, will get it to 100 before December.

Leadership: Principal Bassoonist in my school’s top wind ensemble for 3 years, Marching band section leader for 1 year, basketball team captain sophomore & freshman year.

Note: I stopped playing volleyball after freshman year and decided to not participate in basketball senior year to focus on music and because of injuries and general dislike for my coaches and teammates. I know I’m lacking in music and I hate myself for it. And I have no clue where to start with internships. I also took a month’s absence from school freshman year for mental health issues and it is not reflected in my grades, but in my ECs, is this worth noting?

Thanks!

2

You’re list looks very realistic and balanced. I don’t think that it’s necessary to note your month’s absence from school freshman year.

Every engineer we know recommends taking Comp Sci in high school (for the exposure to it before Engineering undergrad). Seeking any kind of employment for the summer whether it’s an internship or not, will build character and can show that you are willing to take on work responsibilities.

Did you take any foreign language?

What are your concerns since you’re subject says- severe anxiety? You have much to be proud of. You are definitely on the right track!

3

Why is UChicago on your list if you want to study engineering?

4

U of C has recently opened an Institute for Molecular Engineering, which is the specialty under Chemical Engineering I wish to pursue .It has remarkable facilities and I love the school and music program. I’ve visited and the admissions officer said this program will most likely become very popular in the coming years

5

@livn487 I’m taking Honors Latin 3 next year. I can’t take Comp Sci because of scheduling, I’m studying it on my own this summer and planning on trying to take it as independent study online if my counselor approves (my school stopped allowing course overloads). My summer has a lot of marching band, orchestra, and camps but I manage to babysit and tutor when I have the chance, and I can’t get a job because my parents refuse. I’m really scared for college because I have no idea what to expect for admissions and I feel I should’ve done a lot more in high school, and I’m not sure how I’ll stand out because I almost “too” well-rounded, as in I’m very involved in several ECs but can’t attest to complete commitment to them because of the number of them (and because of basketball in the past).

6

It’s not ABET-accredited yet, though, is it? Not sure how important that is, but the helpful engineers on CC will probably be able to weigh in.

7

Fellow bassoonist!
I wouldn’t be worried about urbana-champaign & usc!
Good luck :slight_smile:

8

You shouldn’t have any trouble getting into Purdue. If you apply early action you may even get a scholarship with your stats. Great engineering and music programs. Also, their entire music program involves non-music majors because they don’t have a music school so you aren’t competing with music majors for spots in their different groups.

9

Olin doesn’t offer ChemE (only EE/CS, ME, or General Engineering). It has no music program, though you may be able to take classes at Wellesley for music.

10

Be very careful about having an ABET accredited degree. The University of Chicago degree is certainly not accredited yet as it needs to have graduates. I am pretty sure that they will want to get accreditation eventually but it will likely be a stand-alone degree for some time. You are likely better off at a university with a college of engineering and more than one degree.

You also need to be wary of engineering degrees that are not in one of the traditional areas. Employers just do not have jobs for them (Biomedical Engineering is a good example). Instead, you might consider getting a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and then getting a graduate degree in something like molecular engineering. This will give you a better option for jobs after the B.S. but still allow you to specialize in a topic you are interested in.

Otherwise your list is good.

11

For Olin you are able to design your courses so you graduate with a ChemE degree, I’ve spoken with an alum. As for the music program though, I’m trying to see how accessible it is for Olin students. I’ve contacted them to ask but they haven’t replied yet. I’m hoping it’s possible, I’ve heard good things about Wellesley for music.

12

Also, @xraymancs , I plan on getting my major in chemical engineering and doing the concentration in biomolecular engineering, and I’m planning on going to grad school as well. As for U of C, I’m planning on contacting them and asking more about the Molecular Engineering program and accreditation.

13

The Chemical Engineering to Biomolecular Engineering idea is a good one. the UoC program would be excellent as a graduate program.

14

OP: I understand your nervousness about college admission. It makes sense to keep doing what you’re doing. Have you put any thought into your essays? And consider having a trusted adult review your essays.

Have you visited the schools you have mentioned? Would you want to go to a smaller school that has a music conservatory and a strong engineering program?

15

Edit…“And, you might consider having a trusted adult review your essays.” I need to proof my own comments!! Anyhow, I’m a parent with college aged children. My d found it extremely helpful to have several adults read her essays. She went through many revisions and it was tense trying to support her through the essay process.

Also, think about which teachers, coaches, music teachers you’ll want to approach for the college application recommendations. You’ll want to choose one in science or math who might be familiar with you in and outside of the classroom. It should be someone who will give you a really strong recommendation.

I hope my comments are helpful.