How's this for a Hook?

Colleges & Universities University of Chicago
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<p>It’s a cliche to complain or apologize for “chance me” threads, and I have no regrets for making one. Everyone has the urge to at some point anyway.</p>

<p>So. I realize UChicago is quite a reach for me, with the impediment of my GPA. I do believe, however, I can offer something to the University of Chicago community (don’t we all?), and while I’ll be honest and say that it isn’t my top choice (I have a mild aversion to the midwest, and have already applied ED to Reed), the intense, rigorous intellectual atmosphere is exactly what I’m looking for in a school. Obviously, these two schools have pronounced differences, and I’m not going to try to convince you that the quirks and strengths of UChicago will fit me, as that’s something I’m sure I can convey to the people it matters to. I’m just naturally curious about how much displayed intellectual curiosity and drive can compensate for one crummy statistic.</p>

<p>I’m relishing the thought of writing the essays even bearing in mind the disappointment that eventuality would necessarily accompany.</p>

<p>from a public high school in rural vermont.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.35 UW for freshman - junior year. However, I have a 4.0 currently (after 1.5 quarters of senior year), a grade likely to sustain itself through the first semester. A better work ethic? Probably. Regret for three years of less than ideal performance? Not especially. Sure, it would have been nice, but I think I’ve learned things in taking my own path I wouldn’t have elsewhere.
ACT: 33
SAT: 2140/2400: 710 CR, 690 M, 740 W</p>

<p>The Hook: I have a great passion for tropical ecology and anthropology, particularly that of the great dark island of New Guinea. I have a rather encyclopedic knowledge of the wildest South Pacific as a whole, and I spent last conducting avifaunal research and mapping tribal boundaries in the Gulf province of Papua New Guinea, and the outlying island of New Ireland in the Bismarck Archipelago. As colonialist as it sounds, I was the first ‘white man’ to visit several villages. I can speak Melanesian Pidgin and several indigenous tongues in addition to English and Spanish. I did this on my own, without any program (for there are none). I raised over 4000 dollars junior year in funds. Currently, I have an application in for Nat’l Geographic to get a grant for more research next summer.</p>

<p>Other Considerations:</p>

<p>ECs:</p>

<p>Cap’n of the Telemark Skiing Brigade
4 years varsity cross county
2 of varisty track’n field
1 of Nordic Skiing
Political campaign volunteer work
blah blah blah</p>

<p>Awards:
UVM Writing Contest Winner
School Commendation for Excellence in the Natural Sciences
National Merit Scholarship Comendee (semifinalist?)</p>

<p>Curriculum: I’ve always been convinced it was rigorous, but that was before coming to this board and seeing kids post 35 AP classes a year. Anyway, I’ve taking 5 years worth of English, 5 years of science, 4 of social studies, 4 of math, the usual drill. 4 AP’s (English, Gov, Bio, Prob/Stats) and one AP Equiv. (Spanish 5). A visible pattern of high grades in classes that motivated me.</p>

<p>So. What say ye?</p>

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<p>I guess that is a hook… might as well write about how the research and learning of traditional languages of indigenous peoples affected u and how its leading u to a career in something of that orientation… u should write about it thats all i can say… they’ll be the judges on hooks…</p>

<p>It’s like me telling them that because i DJ it should be a hook… or because i Beat-Box it should be a hook… no one is for sure… unless ur recognized highly and are partially famous then its a hook (recruited athletes, science projects, inventions etc)… If i won world DMC Championship then its a hook lol (World famous DJ competition)</p>

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<p>You have a very good shot. The field work more than makes up for an imperfect, though fine GPA.</p>

<p>Also, Anthro here is awesome.</p>

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<p>You’re obviously a self-starter, and if I were to start the school of Unalove, I’d love to see a person like you come along. You also have outstanding test scores to show that you weren’t really “into” school but you can do it.</p>

<p>The one thing I’d point out is that schools like Chicago and Reed are going to require a lot of pedal to the metal. I don’t know much about Reed overall, but certainly at Chicago the cultivation (or ability to cultivate) good study habits and a good work ethic are key. I think schools like Bard and Hampshire are more catered to “on the own time” intellectuals who are incredibly smart and well-read and have little desire to show for it in terms of grades. The Chicago person strikes me as more disciplined academically if equivalent intellectually.</p>

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<p>^ Duly noted. I actually consciously looked for schools with ‘the grind’ over the more ‘alternative’ choices as in a stimulating atmosphere with great rigor, I tend to do best - I’d rather be pushed to the limit in this extent than not - and this is shown in my transcript (hardest classes have my best grades). I can carry out my independent interests anywhere, so I’d like to build a really solid foundation beneath it, something I’m more likely to do somewhere that will kick my ass.</p>

<p>Kodama - are you an anthro major at Uchicago now?</p>

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<p>Reed is likely to accept you ED making a Chicago application unnecessary. S1 had a somewhat low GPA, but was accomplished in a particular area as well and was accepted at both Reed and Chicago (Chicago was his first choice), so I would say you indeed have a good chance of being admitted. Since your EC is quite unusual, you have just alerted the admission folks who read this forum that Chicago is not your top choice. The question is, does that make a difference to them?</p>

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<p>Hmm. It would seem I’ve made a bit of a tactical error, but it’s a bit too late to backpedal now, I think. Nonetheless, at the time I do apply to University of Chicago (if I do), it will be my first choice, and hopefully I’ll be able to make that come across.</p>

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<p>i think the problem is that you’re applying to the university of chicago. as prestigious school it is, note that most of the best academic students in the nation will apply here even if it’s not their first choice. i would have to say you’re on the weak end academically, but i do believe that your passion for ecology can be a hook if you use it properly. If you just shrug it off in your essays, it will account for nothing, but if you show your passion, it is a valuable asset.</p>

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<p>wait, so admissions folks read the forums on college confidential? I’ve just become really self-conscious about my grammar and hope that i haven’t said anything too stupid in any of my posts.</p>

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<p>Some might. I would say more than anything don’t say anything that makes your file identifiable. (Another reason chance threads aren’t great).</p>