Chance me - RD for Class of 2016

Colleges & Universities Brown University
1

<p>Sex: Female
Race: Asian (Indian subcontinent)
US Citizenship: Yes
State of Residence: Texas</p>

<p>High School: Competitive, public (Ranked by Newsweek in the top 1% of public high schools in the nation)
GPA: 4.01 (out of 5.0)
Rank: 166 (out of 1030)
SAT: 700 CR, 700 M, 710 W - 2110/2400, 1400/1600
SAT Subject Tests: Bio - 760, Math II - 650, World History - 760
ACT w/ Writing: 34 composite (36 R, 35 M, 34 W, 32 S) → <strong><em>I’m planning on just submitting my ACT scores, not my SAT scores.</em></strong>
AP Exam Scores: Bio - 5, World History - 4, Human Geography - 4, English Lang - 4, Psychology - 4, APUSH - 4</p>

<p>Senior Year Courses:
AP Calculus AB
AP English Literature
AP Art History
AP US Government
AP Micro Economics
AP Environmental Science
(along with some online courses required for graduation - BCIM (computer science), PE)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Piano - playing for 14 years, won multiple trophies/blue ribbons in Sonatina Festivals & gold medals in Theory Tests
Indian dancing - part of a dance troupe for 6 years; we dance for private parties and cultural events
Yoga - 7 years
French classes (at school and outside of school) - 6 years</p>

<p>Volunteering:
various volunteer clubs/organizations (see “Clubs”)
Orthodontics - shadowed/interned with my orthodontics; did a lot of filing, sterilized instruments, and interacted with patients - (summer after 10th grade)
OBGYN - shadowed/interned with my OBGYN; filed documents/bills, took certain vitals (blood pressure, fetal heartbeats), viewed patient appointments, ultrasounds, and saw 2 deliveries! - (summer after 11th grade)</p>

<p>Clubs:
NHS - all 4 years of high school
FNHS (French National Honor Society/French Club) - all 4 years of high school
American Red Cross Society Club - Historian for 11th and 12th grade; photographed events, organized meetings/blood drives, advertised to students and faculty
Natural History Club - member for 11th, President for 12th; organizing fossil hunting/museum/zoo trips
American Diabetes Association Club - 11th and 12th; participated in walks, fundraising, etc.
Science/Math Aid Club - 11th (tutored for Algebra II and Chemistry), 12th (tutoring for AP Biology and PreCalculus)</p>

<p>Recommendations:
AP Biology/AP Environmental Science teacher - He really likes me and I’m one of the best students in his class; plus I’ve had him for two years
AP English Lang/Lit - I’ve had her for two years as well, and while my grades in the class are mostly high B’s, we have similar interests in books and always discuss them.
Counselor - my counselor doesn’t really know her students as she’s new, but our school has a long system for gaining counselor recs (we answer a ton of personal questions, have our parents answer some about us, get some teacher evaluations, and then turn all of this info in to the counselors). </p>

<p>Essay: I’ve already completed AND submitted all of my supplemental essays. I’ve had them checked over by family, teachers, friends, and a professional college admissions counselor; all of them told me my essays were heartfelt and great. My common app essay is the 4th prompt, and I picked a work of art and how it changed my life/influenced me. I’ve heard that essays about artwork are not common, but the piece really did change my life and my perspectives on a lot of issues. </p>

<p>Major: My ultimate goal is medical school, but I don’t feel that I have a chance at Brown’s PMLE program (which I’m ok with). Brown’s liberal curriculum really appeals to me because I’m REALLY interested in majoring in Medieval Studies, Renaissance/Early Modern Studies, or History of Art. </p>

<p>**Brown is one of my top choices. I’m also looking at Rice and Georgetown, but I really liked Brown.</p>

2

<p>Your ACT score is pretty awesome, but with these schools it’s thankfully not all that matters. I wouldn’t submit the SAT, but I would submit the ACT along with the Bio and World History subject tests.
You seem to have a some well-rounded EC’s, but they’re not strong enough to stand out on their own. (Not a bad thing)
Supplement: That’s good to hear.
PLME: Don’t set your heart on it. I’m not expecting it either. haha. Who knows, maybe we’ll get lucky. </p>

<p>I’d say you have a very good shot of getting in, and the only thing that really wouldn’t get you in would be the ORM status you have. You also are very well qualified for your other schools. Apply RD, because you have a good shot, and compare the FA packages.
Also, please look at my “chance me” thread… I’m freaking out along with you. :P</p>

3

<p>I would say that Brown is a moderate, and maybe high reach for you. Here’s why:
– The percentage of accepted students is low, so it is a reach for most of the applicants.
– You say your HS is very competitive but 166 in the class is much lower than Brown usually goes. The best indicator of whether that will matter is if you know how the past few years students from your HS did if any applied to Brown, and where they were in the class (all things equal, which they never are, but it will give some rough info)
– Your EC’s are fair. The piano is good, but the others are not much diff than all the other applicants Brown gets. And they say “privilege without much give back”. Brown kind of likes to see more “give back”.
– You/ Your application says “premed” (esp with the shadowing) but your science class load is weak, esp if HS is competitive/offering BC calc, other AP sciences. </p>

<p>Now, don’t think me harsh, and certainly do apply. Some advice from my years at this “game”: Maybe drop all references to premed. (including not listing the shadowing) What I am telling you is not very cricket, but I’m trying to give you your best shot! Admission ppl, forgive me!) Emphasize your interest in Medieval studies etc (does Brown have a concentration in that? I’ll have to check. If not, Brown is the kind of place you can create your own!) Definitely submit the ACTs and not the SATs.</p>

<p>I would also hope you are applying more then just 3 schools! While Rice may be a good “backup” (and I don’t know that for sure, as I don’t know their stats in detail) expand your search some. (I hear Notre Dame has a really good Medieval studies program. I know a student there who is getting to spend Jr year doing research etc in France in that dept.)
Hope this helps you!</p>