I'm a Special Case...

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Chance me for VCU, VT, UVA, W&M, JMU

I have a 2200 SAT and 3.95 UW gpa. I have barely any ECs and am really scared now. I have played competitive chess for 12 years, fenced for 2 (competitive for 1), part of debate/chess/asian clubs with no leadership positions, 200 hours community service mostly medically related. I taught myself how to play guitar but I dont perform anywhere… I have a couple shadowing/intern experiences and am planning on getting a summer job.

Is this enough for a school like UVA if I am in state and apply EA? I have just set the bar low because I’m scared, but if I am overreacting, what higher ranked schools do you think i have a chance at?

THANK YOU SO MUCH

2

Forgot to mention that I go to one of the state’s governor’s schools and that they do not rank

3

I don’t understand how you are a special case. Your ECs look fine to me. You have a lot of community service and a long history of competitive chess. I can’t say if it will be “enough” for UVA, but considering you are in state and your stats are okay, you may as well apply early action.

I also don’t get what you mean by “setting the bar low.” UVA is one of the top ranked public schools in the country, and W&M is very highly ranked as well. You are lucky to live in a state with good in-state options.

4

The only way that you are a special case is that you think that applying to UVa is setting the bar low. It shows a lock of awareness of UVa or worse.

5

I agree you have some very good ECs and I wouldn’t worry much about the formal leadership. The common app allows you to but in 10 ECs and I think you can stretch what you have to fill that.

VCU - Safety
VT - Match
UVA - Reach (I think you are qualified but everyone in VA who is qualified applies.)
W&M - Low Reach
JMU - Safety

6

Everyone is a special case.

Except my 3 kids— they’re your garden variety average kids.

Which, I suppose, makes them special cases.

7

No you’re not.

8

I mean zero offense here…but what exactly makes you “Special”. You honestly sound like every other kid on CC.

9

Nah, aren’t we all!

10

Yeah, but my 3 kids are Specially special!!! So there!

11

I’m sorry for overreacting to the point where I called myself a “special case.” I am confident in my scores but I feel like my EC’s are lacking and that was the point of this thread.

12

Your SAT and GPA are good and will not prevent you from getting into many schools. Your ECs are good.

UVA is an outstanding school and I would not call your application “setting the bar low.” UVA is not a safety school for you even though you are instate. I would call it a reach or high match- depending.

13

If playing chess, playing guitar, debate, fencing, Asian Club, and 200 hours of community service are not ECs, then every kid on CC has no hope. Is this post a joke? Just noticed a couple of intern positions too. Really?

14

How did you end up with a 2200 SAT? It’s been out of 1600 since your sophomore year?!

15

You aren’t a special case. Unless you’re a legacy, then I don’t see what qualifies you as such. Your ECs and academics definitely qualify you. Just apply EA since you live in-state. If you don’t make in, you don’t make in. Simple as that.

Keep your eyes on schools that you’ll like to be at and have a major you want to pursue. Why don’t you visit the schools you just listed? They’re all in VA (I think lol), so go on a saturday. Take a campus tour. Ask some questions. See if you like it or not.

Hope this helps and best of luck!