Wondering if some of you could give me your opinion on my chances for Princeton SCEA or for regular decisions at some other universities; namely: UChicago, Columbia, UPenn, Yale, UMichigan, Brandeis, Brown (back-ups not included).
Demographic: Born in the Netherlands, live in rural Wisconsin, lower middle class white male.
Dual Enrollment:
UW Colleges Online: GEO 170 = A, ANTHRO 100 = -A
University of Chicago Summer Intensive Languages: Ancient Hittite = -A, Classical Latin = +B
-GPA: 3.65 unweighted (Near straight As Sophomore year. Straight As Junior year.)
Senior Year Course Load
AP Statistics
AP Lit. and Lang
Latin 203 at UW Madison --> Latin 204 2nd Semester
Archaeology 300 at UW Madison --> Arch. 304 2nd Semester
ECs:
Model UN Head Delegate (2017)
Academic Decathlon (2015-2017):
Youngest team member in school history
Numerous Local (3), Regional (4), State (6), and National (3) awards (all either 1st-3rd place)
State Solo and Ensemble (2015)
Professional Performer with a local Croatian ethnic performing group (2012 - present)
Going on tour in Croatia (2018)
Lead dancer (2016-pres)
Solo 1st Brac (its like a guitar) (2015-pres)
Soloist: Vocals (2018)
I work on translating Ancient Hittite texts with a dept. head at the University of Chicago and was invited to attend an international congress on the ancient Near East this past year (attended, of course).
Gave talks on the ancient Near East at local libraries (2015-2016)
Write articles on the Humanities for an online newspaper (of little importance) of which I am an editor.(2017-present)
Assistant Director of an online organization of 200+ gamers that do historical simulations similar to Model United Nations on various strategy game platforms (2015-2017ish)
Founded the “People’s Agrarian Party of America” a satirical political party that convinced 2016 presidential candidate “Joe Exotic” to ally. Also convinced internet meme Ken Bone to join the party. Joe Exotic–People’s Party coalition won 961 votes in the 2016 election. (2016-present)
Currently translating myths of the Near East in to English and putting them to meter. (2017-present)
Employed at a local coffee shop (2015-2017)
Translating German with help from Highschool teacher (present)
Essays: Termed “excellent” by UW Madison English Dept. faculty.
LoR: One letter from University of Chicago Dept. Head, one from High School Academic Decathlon coach, two from UW Madison professors, one from my performing group.
Prospective major(s): Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Classics, Slavic Studies.
So, in short, I kind of dropped a load on my examinations but I wondering if my ECs/LoR can help me regain some ground.
@18YearsASlav your scores are too low, your ACT needs to be ~32 or higher. Would like to see more 5’s for AP tests.
But your ECs are incredibly eclectic and sound interesting. Maybe your essay and LoRs will paint you as a good student, unconcerned with chasing scores vs. experiencing life.
I wish you well, you have a shot, but a slim one (like most apps to Princeton).
@psywar
Thanks for your opinion. Do you think I have a better chance at some of the Ivies like Cornell or at schools more in the 20-25% range (e.g. Brandeis, Lehigh)?
@18YearsASlav sorry, only know Princeton. curious as to whyCornell vs. UChicago vs. Princeton vs. Brandeis vs. Brown, etc… these school can be very different, what are you looking for?
@psywar Classics or Near Eastern Studies for some and a general strength in the humanities for others. I want to PhD in something along the lines of Near Eastern Studies, and for that your ability and whether or not you meet the requirements (e.g. academic languages) is much more important than what you majored in during undergrad (as you may know already).
I would never t waste my time applying early to Princeton. I would look (quickly) at Tufts or Cornell for what you are interested in for early application. I’m not going to lie, both of those are a long shot as well.
@18YearsASlav I agree with @wchatar2 it is a long shot,. Even if you have another great semester and raise your GPA, and get a 33+ on your ACT, etc. it will still be a long shot.
So instead of SCEAing in a few days, I would spend as much time as possible surfacing/constructing your unique narrative of who you are, what interests you, and (this is really important) what unquieness you will bring to Princeton. I don’t think they have seen many kids like you. So, show them that in your essays and LoR (don’t just tell them that).
As of now, like 14 other schools. I only get to do this once and I have been working on apps since this summer so quality won’t be sacrificed, so I figure I might as well go all out.
Colby (its free and no supplement, so why not?)
Haverford
UNC Chapel Hill
William and Mary, but maybe not because if their poor financial aid
UM Ann Arbor
Amherst
St. Andrews in the UK
Brandeis
Brown
Dartmouth
Yale
University of Chicago
Boston College
Tufts
George Washington
Yeah, Im not likely to get into to Yale or even Amherst or Haverford – but it would be a source of regret if i didnt apply. Looking GPA and tests, it isn’t likely i’ll get in anywhere of much prestige or even quality. But I took my ACT 3 times and got the same math score 3 times, so I figure thats fated. I’m good at language and thinking about the past, two things that are hard to test and hard to evaluate – thats just my lot.
Well, I dont mean to mope about. I am still hopeful, especially since i didnt just get flat out rejected today. The worst thing that could happen is I get rejected from all of my schools (which i dont think is too likely), and then I’ll become a lumberjack or join the French Foreign Legion or something – lol.