<p>I’m an first generation African-American Male, i speak 5 languages.
I haven’t worked to my potential in school, yielding my 3.0 gpa. I’ve taken the SAT I’s once, 610-CR 580-M 600-Writing. I got a 600 on the US history SATII, and I’ve taken 6 AP Courses. ON top of that alot of honors courses, giving me a tough schedule. My school is ranked number 1 by Newsweek as the best public school in Connecticut(does that mean much?). Essentially, i need more target/reach schools to add to my list, any suggestions? I would have really good reccs/essays/interviews.</p>
<p>Education
Conard High School-Class of 2008
School Activities/Awards
Freshman Class Board
-Vice President
Sophomore Class Board
-President
Junior Class Board
Student Council President (12th grade) and Representative (10th grade)
-Organized a thorough campaign in late May 2007 consisting of personally made shirts, posters, and announcements.
-Arranged meetings with the executive board weekly
-Represent the Council in Drug and Alcohol Regulations for Student active in Athletics, Co-curricular and Extra-curricular Activities in conjunction with the Human Resources Office for West Hartford.
-Speak at Faculty Meetings
American Legion Boys State Delegate
-American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local, county and state government.
-American Legion Posts in the State of Connecticut select the individuals that they want to represent and who follow the qualifications.
-Selected as a Boys State Legislative Leader (Speaker of the house).
Concert Band (9th grade) and Wind Ensemble (10th, 11th, 12th)
-First Chair Trumpet all four years in each of the bands
Pep Band (9th-12th grade, Captain 12th grade)
AAU/Town League Basketball (6th-12th grade)
Magna cum laude on national latin exam</p>
<p>Community Activities
Community of Concern Leadership Forums
-Participated in two forums consisting of a total 12 student leaders chosen from Conard and Hall High School. Issues such as teen alcoholism and drug use were tackled and possible answers were proposed
Community Service Completed at Local Public Library
Currently Teaches classes(reading and writing Arabic) at local mosque.</p>
<p>What are the current schools you are considering? Do you have any ideas about what you want in a college in terms of atmosphere, number of students, urban vs rural, major, special academic programs, or anything else?</p>
<p>I plan on studying econ/history, a smaller school on the east coast would fit well. I was also accepted into Prologue to Bates, an intro to bates for diversity. Right now im considering Uconn,Dickinson,Franklin and marshall,Fordham,and Howard. I’m really interested and finding out the best school i can get into. My parents were used to my brother and sister who attend Dartmouth and Princeton respectively.</p>
<pre><code>That sounds like something that should get more notice. Did you look into Skidmore (NY), Trinity College (CT), Drew University (NJ)? Skidmore was mentioned in the Newsweek article not long ago about “New Ivies” and you are in range for qualifications and can “add” to the campus not only your language skills but your ethnic diversity. Fordham could be a really good match. Don’t be hung up on where your siblings went to college. That was then and this is now, one of the toughest competitive admissions periods ever. There are many colleges offering excellent academic programs that will be interested in you. I’m sure there are parents from the NE who can be a lot more helpful, though. Good luck.
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<p>nmd, I think there are many colleges and universities that would be willing to take a chance on you. Your GPA and scores are not your strongest point, but I think in the context of what you have to offer to a campus community, this is a negative that could be overcome.</p>
<p>Could you please give some more background? How did you come to speak five languages? This is a MAJOR accomplishment! How did you come to teach Arabic? Are you Islamic? This is also a MAJOR hook.</p>
<p>I’d suggest that you edit your resume to focus on the unique aspects of your life experience. Having two siblings at very selective schools is also an intriguing development. You may or may not be comfortable aiming for schools that are equally rigorous, but my suspicion is that many colleges, even the most selective, would find you a person of interest.</p>
<p>In otherwords, don’t concentrate on best that you can get into; concentrate on what you want in environment, teaching style, size etc. Of course, you should have a good mix of matches and at least one reliable safeties, but if you position yourself properly I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the results.</p>
<p>I think all the schools you’re looking at are good target schools. </p>
<p>For a reach, have you looked at Middlebury? It is a reach BUT they really want AA and they excel in languages. It may be a very good fit. </p>
<p>How about William and Mary? It’s not in the northeast but it has a very good program. I would encourage you to look at UVA too. It is a high reach but it is really good at what you want and I think it is very prestigious and has a lot of the ‘liberal arts college feel’ despite it being a big university. </p>
<p>If you’re interested in politics, you may be interested in American Univ in DC. It’s bigger than a LAC but many students really like being in DC and there are advantages (internships).</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Your list is pretty good, although there’s a lot of difference between Bates and Fordham or Howard.</p></li>
<li><p>In terms of additional schools – I would make a list of relatively rural LACs in the northeast. I suspect your application would be taken seriously at any of them, and very seriously everywhere but the Amherst-Williams level. Certainly Middlebury, Colby, Bowdoin, Hamilton, Colgate, Skidmore, Lafayette, Hampshire, probably Wesleyan too. All very good to great schools, all would like to have more African-American students, all would probably be willing to balance out GPA and test scores by your demonstrated leadership and interest in learning. Also – try to do really well this semester. That would help a lot.</p></li>
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<p>Don’t limit yourself to east coast exclusively. Have you checked out William and Mary, Emory, Vanderbilt, Boston College, or College of the Holy Cross?</p>
<p>Thank you all for your responses, my biggest concerns were in what level of school i should apply to. Political Science is another major possibility of a major. Do you guys tihnk it would too cliche to incorporate my religion and race into my college essay? i also have a draft if anyone is interested. What are you thought on Lehigh? i’ve heard they need more diversity on campus, and im interested in what they offer.</p>
<p>One question that should be considered in determining what level of school you should apply to is whether you are committed to working up to your potential in college.</p>
<p>YES, i have a strong belief that i will thrive in a college atmosphere. The ability to have a local library always at reach to go study is something i desire. In looking back on my transcript, i usually do well on big assignments, but i miss small homeworks.</p>
<p>So in college you will now be willing to do small homeworks or do you mean that in college there won’t be any small homeworks, so your propensity to only do your best on big assignments will result in better grades?</p>
<p>College isn’t only big assignments–there can be weekly problem sets, lab write ups, etc. I’d feel better about your ability to “thrive in college” if you committed to all of your college work to the best of your ability and time constraints, whether you consider the assignment big or small.</p>
<p>Then what do you suggest, that i don’t accept admission to a school because i dont think i will be able to handle the workload? Although that did play a big role in my decision to apply to middlebury or not, i feel i could compete at highly competitive LACs such as Dickinson and skidmore</p>