Chances

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey there,</p>

<p>I’ve already applied to the following schools:
Vanderbilt
Hamilton
Northwestern
Bowdoin
University of Pittsburgh</p>

<p>Where Hamilton is a target and Pitt’s a safety. Should’ve applied to Pitt earlier but considering the kind of people they’ve already let in…btw, anyone know the chances of me getting a full-ride? :slight_smile: </p>

<p>GPA: 3.7, 4.8 weighted
SAT: 710 CR, 710 M, 770 W Single Setting
SAT II: 790 Bio, 700 Chem</p>

<p>ACT: 33 Composite-35 E, 32M, 36 R, 30 S, 33 E/W Single Setting
I did better on the science the first time (31) but it won’t change much to send both scores</p>

<p>AP: Chem, EGS
AP (Senior Year): Bio, Lang & Comp, French 5, Physics C: Mechanics, BC Calculus
In addition to the prerequisite honors classes and Honors Organic Chemistry</p>

<p>For achievements, I listed High Honor Roll, Premio de Excelencia for the Spanish 1 National Exam and Certificat d’Honeur for the French 4 National Exam. </p>

<p>For activities I listed:
Track-400m Sophomore
Fencing- Freshman
ESL Tutoring - Freshman & Junior
Cross-Age Tutoring - Junior
Pittsburgh Marathon EMT Volunteer/EMT Training - Junior
Senior Member of Science Bowl
Earth Day Booth Aid - Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
Environmental Club - Senior
Art Club - Senior</p>

<p>Did the common app explicitly ask if I were first-generation? The only thing relevant I remember is choosing neither of my parents went to college. </p>

<p>I am a native Chinese (Cantonese, Taishanese) speaker. No alumni relatives. Any schools where being asian might actually help? Probably not haha. </p>

<p>I didn’t feel too good about my essays but my dad made me send them. O.o Oh well</p>

<p>I guess I just want some reassurance. What’s done is done but I’d like to see what I can expect. Thanks for chancing! Happy Holidays.</p>

<p>Andy </p>

<p>PS Any good schools that are easy to apply to? That you think I should?</p>

2

<p>bumpity bump</p>

3

<p>Good: great test scores & course schedule, 1st generation
Bad: GPA, uneasiness about the essay, lack of leadership </p>

<p>Vandy: I think it could go either way, but I’m pushing more in the acceptance direction because Vandy seems to be more attracted to the numbers, from my peers’ experience, than anything else. Your 1st generation status will also boost you a bit, but they might think you spread yourself too thin with your extracurricular activities and lack of leadership.
FA: If you make less than 60k, I’d say you’d be getting a great package.</p>

<p>Northwestern: I’d say the same for Vandy.
FA: Same for Vandy</p>

<p>Bowdoin: If you don’t feel like you did very well in your essays, then that might not be good for this school. Bowdoin is very much personality-oriented and test scores aren’t what make the applicant since they’re not even required.
FA: I think a package just as good as Vandy/NU’s if not slightly better.</p>

<p>University of Pittsburgh & Hamilton: match schools, you’ll probably get in.
FA: Pitt might give you some good aid, but since I don’t know much about Hamilton and how they disperse their endowment, I’m not sure if it will be as high as the others. </p>

<p>Reach: Bowdoin, Northwestern
Mid-reach: Vandy
Match: Pittsburgh, Hamilton.</p>

<p>Don’t be discouraged. Have some optimism and surely you’ll get in where you belong. Take a deep breath, relax, and also apply to some safety schools.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the response! And sorry for not checking back until now. Yeah I felt like I didn’t really apply myself too much in high school. Too late now :wink: Pitt actually is my safety school because it’s local (kids with much lower academic & curriculars got in, although I applied much later). Those darn essays, though, that’s something I can regret because they’re still so recent. </p>

<p>Unfortunately leadership is not something that I’ve excelled in. Does taking the initiative to be an EMT and volunteering in a marathon in addition to tutoring count? </p>

<p>Thanks! It’s time to relax for a bit. Oh wait, no it’s not, it’s time for mid-terms and financial aid. Guess my Ferris Bueller’s Day Off plans aren’t gonna happen just yet. </p>

<p>Should I do the interviews? I’m not sure I’d be the best interviewee. Usually a hit-or-a-miss for me.</p>