I just realized that my stats are not up to par with my first choice. I have a 3.85 GPA, 2000 GPA and some above average ec’s. Do adcom’s take in consideration of your family background? My family income is <30,000 and I had to work 20 hours a week all year to help support it.
Well, schools differ, but in general, yes. It will be to your credit that you had to work to help support the family.
@JustOneDad How about USC and UC’s?
(Sorry if I’m derailing your thread, but I have basically the same question!) If colleges see youre applying with a fee waiver, do they take that into consideration? Would that be seen as a “hook” similar to perhaps being first generation or URM?
Most colleges want to have a mix of students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. You need to be qualified, but the admissions offices realize that low-income students didn’t have all the opportunities that others had as well as demands on their time that may have affected their record.
It’s not a “hook”, however.
And, I don’t know exactly what USC is doing this year.
UC admissions readers supposedly do tend to be more impressed by good “overcoming adversity” stories that applicants from lower SES backgrounds are more likely to have. Work experience is likely at least as good as any other extracurricular.
I have a feeling that if you have had great academic success while being economically disadvantaged, then that is a big plus.
The deans at Amherst expressed that opinion, so I’d assume it applies to other holistic and selective schools as well.
GPA isn’t everything. Course rigor and class rank also play a role.
Your qualifications are good enough and yes, consideration will be given since you have the responsibility to help you family and you are still able to perform at a high level. Are you a Jr or Sr? If Jr, consider Questbridge. It is a little confusing but basically it is a recruitment program for selective colleges looking to add students like you.
@BrownParent I am a senior. I got nominated for QuestBridge finalist but I don’t think I will get matched. I am thinking about retaking SAT for the third time in an attempt for a 2100.
You do realize that QB is a low income recruitment program and colleges participate in that program because they are seeking such students? Funny you think there is this program where you write essays about your family background but don’t know if they are going to take that into account? Of course.
Don’t worry if you don’t get matched. Finalists get plenty of offers RD from the partners and other colleges.
Did you do a lot of prep for SAT earlier? If not then maybe there is room to improve. Otherwise maybe not bother. Did you try khanacademy study videos?
One of the commenters asked a good question, if OP’s fee has been waived wouldn’t admissions see that on their app? If so, that’d be in your benefit I would think
He is a Questbridge finalist so all his apps are waived to the partner schools so that is a given in the OP’s case. In the other student question I wouldn’t say it is a hook necessarily, depending on how high performing and adversity is explained. It will be given some weight and consideration for sure.