do i stand a chance?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>I’m a senior in Columbus, Ohio. I’ve taken a pretty alternative approach to my education, to say the least. I go to an alternative high school where we do classes three days a week and internships two days a week. Since I was a junior, I have been attending Ohio State (main Columbus campus) and currently carry a 3.8 GPA there having taken a total of 50 credit hours (10 courses). At my high school, I have a 3.98, haha. I’ve done some very interesting internships, namely an urban women’s health clinic, the Howard Dean campaign, and most recently the Ohio Democratic Coordinated Campaign to elect Kerry/Edwards. I’ve consistently taken the most difficult courses available to me, including 3 independent-studied AP courses, 2 of which I got a 5 on the exam. (The 5’s were on Government & Psychology, I’ve not yet taken the Biology exam) I have strong recommendation letters from my professors at OSU, teachers at my high school, and internship advisors. My test scores leave something to be desired, because i am NOT A STANDARDIZED TESTER. heh. I got a 29 on the ACT and an 1200 on the SAT. I got an 800 on the SAT II writing and a 770 on the SAT II literature. I plan to submit my ACT and SAT II scores, no SAT I scores. Extracurricularly, I have been involved in mostly political activist stuff- the Columbus City Council Youth Commission, started & am president of Amnesty International at my high school, Feminist Students United at OSU, and I also volunteer 3-4 hours a week at Children’s Hospital on the Hem/Onc unit. I’ve been limited because my high school is only 3 years old and does not offer many extracurriculars at ALL. In fact, my Amnesty group is all there is this year. haha. I want to major in Women’s Studies & Political Science. My list of schools I want to apply to is as follows:

  1. Oberlin College (ABSOLUTE number one. by FAR.)
  2. NYU
  3. Brown
  4. Eugene Lang
  5. Connecticut College (maybe…)
  6. Amherst (even I am smart enough to know this won’t happen, but why the hell not try)</p>

<p>Do I even have a chance? I know I’m not as good as other people. But I have done what I can with what I have (college is not exactly something that is common in my family) but I take learning very seriously and have tried the best that I could. I have a learning disability in math which I guess explains my low scores in that, does anyone have experience with admitting your LD in the college apps process? I guess the real answer I’m looking for, though, is if I should even bother…</p>

2

<p>I think you stand more than a decent chance. Im assuming since there are so few clubs, you’re president of a rather large one. And your record at least shows commitment- colleges like that you focused so much. You stress how odd ur education is, but I’d say coaching urself to two 5’s and taking 50 credits at a college campus is impressive no matter where you went or for how many days of the week you were in class. It looks like you kept urself occupied, and dont be modest about the SAT’s…800 writing and in the 700’s in Lit is definatly good. U’ve definatly got a shot at Oberlin- and remember, they take into account the type of school you went to. How do you measure up to others in your class?</p>

3

<p>I am number 1 in my class of 30.</p>

4

<p>You don’t have any choice with Collegeboard. They will send every SAT and SAT II score on record for you. Don’t worry about the SAT, your SAT IIs are fantastic.</p>

5

<p>You have a good shot at your top choice–Oberlin.</p>

<p>I would not worry too much about your SAT scores. Just make sure your recs and essays are very good to excellent. And, focus on a few ECs that show depth and involvement.</p>

<p>As for the other schools:</p>

<p>NYU: Match
Brown: Reach
Eugene Lang: Safety
Connecticut College: Match/Safety
Amherst: Reach</p>

<p>Just my humble opinion. Anyhow, good luck with the process. :)</p>