I'm confounded; where to apply?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I have some odd statistics. I go to an EXTREMELY competetive school with no class ranks; only a percentage system. I do not know where to apply because I really do not mind where I go. My parents want me to go to a name school however, and say I cannot justify going to an out-of-state school rather than an in-state school because of the price differences IF the school has no known name. Anyways, here we go:</p>

<p>GPA Interval Table (358 students)</p>

<p>4.25+ = 3.97%
4.00-4.24=6.15%
3.50-3.99=19.55%
3.00-3.49=25.98%</p>

<p>I fall into the fourth denomination with a 3.1 GPA/3 GPA UW.</p>

<p>My SAT scores were a 670 V, 720 M, and a 620 W. I took the Math SATII IIC and received a 740 and the US History SAT II and managed only a 590.</p>

<p>My ECs are:</p>

<p>Earth Science Team in 9th grade - helped the team place for the first time in school history.</p>

<p>My sport is mountain biking. I am including this because the application is supposed to let the college know who you are, and that is a large part of me. I mention it in my short answers as well.</p>

<p>I volunteered approximately 800 hours at my local library, 110 of those as a "reading buddy" (I read to little kids who had trouble reading, be it learning disabillities or inability to speak English well, etc.) and the rest as an attendant. My essay was based on my experiences with these children and my Grandfather who was a rolemodel for me in teaching the kids how to read.</p>

<p>I was a member of the Science Olympiad in my Sophomore year and I was a robotics team member.</p>

<p>I also did a lot of extracurricular activities involving engineering or statistics; I love computers and did a lot of software development (I helped the efforts in modifying some of the game consoles on the market), I have designed my own engines and transimissions for cars (Similar in respect to the StarRotar Engine, the Quasiturbine, and the CVT), and I am an avid Sabermatrician. Yes, I create baseball statistics. I am on the quest to create objective statistics to best evaluate a player's worth. I may not have done so well in school, however, I have acheived a great deal on my own. School is just not my type of environment. It is tedious, boring, and repetetive; none of it is applied, and the class around me lags behind my understanding. The teachers are not able to answer the many of my questions, and I continually spark debates among the math teachers in my school because they simply cannot come up with the answers, or confirm my explanations.</p>

<p>I worked as a cashier/porter at Kings for 4 or 5 months and I have done computer repair and math tutoring for the majority of my high school career.</p>

<p>Some other interesting notes: I have played the piano for 7 years and have copyrighted music. Additionally, I have a recommendation from a New York Post editor.</p>

<p>ON EDIT: I forgot to add that I am taking AP Statistics (A-) this year, took Electronics Honors (A) Junior year, Chemistry Honors (C+) and Algebra II Honors (C-) honors Sophomore year, and I doubled up in science freshman year.</p>

<p>My poor Sophomore year grades are due to the death of my grandmother. I was unable to keep that from spilling over to my already limited enthusiasm in doing work I did not want to do, so of course, I suffered in those classes which required the most amount of work.</p>

<p>I believe all of the following GPAs are weighted:</p>

<p>Freshman year GPA: 3.224
Sophomore year GPA: 2.449
Junior year GPA: 3.372
Senior year GPA (so far): Around 3.4</p>

<p>So as is, I'm at a loss as to where to apply. I was thinking Lehigh, UDel, GW, and that sort of genre (mostly only schools in the Northeast). Any suggestions?</p>

2

<p>UDel should be easy. GW and Lehigh seem like matches
Your GPA seems to be the only real hinderance to your app.</p>

3

<p>Alright, so here is a compilation of where I'm thinking of applying:</p>

<p>Rutgers
Lehigh
Delaware
UMaryland
Penn State
Boston University
GW
American
Northeastern
UMass
Colgate
Brandeis
UConn
Muhlenberg
Binghamton
And for kicks: Tufts and CMU.</p>

<p>How are my chances? Any suggestions?</p>

4

<p>You guys want to help me out please? I know I may not be going to Cornell or Stanford and the like, but I still have an interesting case as well!!!! PLEASE, I need some guidance, and my school guidance is just fecachta (for **** for those not fluent in Yiddish).</p>

5

<p>Bump!</p>

<p>Apparently this was too short; how about now?</p>

6

<p>And they would have rejected me from Ohio State apparently.</p>

7

<p>what do you want to do with your life? </p>

<p>and btw, rutgers eeeeeew. don't go there. you'll get an std! </p>

<p>if you want math/science/technology, stevens institute of technology in nj is really nice school, beautiful campus, great surrounding city, good academics. i live near there and it's pretty nice. i would apply there if i wanted sci/tech.</p>

8

<p>i think your list of schools is very long (think of all those application fees!) but good, although colgate and brandeis definitely stick out from all the big public universities you have listed there.
you sound like a really interesting person but sometimes especially with bigger schools they might care more about numbers than about people.. but i think with the schools listed you should be fine, umcp and penn state are great schools and they're not impossible to get into (although they might be hard for out of state kids, i'm not sure).
good luck!</p>

9

<p>Well, tell us about what kind of school you want. Big or Small? Sports or no? Private or Public? What major do you want to pursue?</p>

10

<p>I just want a school. I don't mind anything about it, as long as women are there as well as men. What I may do with my life? Engineer of some sort (Mechanical, electrical, computer?), maybe business law? Economics? I'm not very sure. I would love to build engines for Nissan or be the General Manager of the Yankees but those jobs require such high qualifications that I doubt it would be practical to pursue those dreams. I mean, if I do not get such high ranking jobs, what other ones are out there in those fields? Nothing great. It's either shoot for the moon and get it, or crash and burn. I'm torn as to what to do.</p>

<p>As to the application fees, let me explain my philosophy. Approximately $180,000 dollars will be spent on my undergraduate education over the course of four years. Let's say the sumation of all the fees per college is about $100 (SAT scores and application fees from school and college). I have a list of 17 schools that I am applying to. That is an additional $1700 dollars spent on my education. Consider that under normal circumstances, the average person applies to eight universities, therefore spending $800 dollars. So, in reality, I am spending an additional $900 to see if I can get into better universities, take my chances, and hope to get in. Don't believe me? Here is a quick probability lesson: P(Total)=P(First chance)+P(second chance)+P(third chance)+... assuming the decisions are mutually exclusive: and they damn well should be, else colleges are lying to us. Therefore my probability of getting into a reach school goes up as I apply to more reach schools. So, as is, to get into a better school, I would spend $900. Then factor in that 900/180000 is just .005 which is basically saying that I spent an extra 0.5% to get a better education. I feel that is a worthy investment.</p>

<p>EDIT: I rethought this; I do want a school in the vicinity of a larger city. I like Boston, hence Brandeis, Northeastern, and BU. But it's not a requirement. I will not make a decision either way on a school based on its location alone. If it is a top university in the middle of no where, I am there. I want to get into the best school I can, without much regard to much else, outside of the east coast and co-ed.</p>

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<p>Budump Bump</p>

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<p>You can probably count on admission to many of your choices, but please go over your list carefully. Brandeis is fabulous and has good science and economics departmetns , but does not have an engineering school (they do have a 2-3 arrangement with Columbia)</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the help! Aside from Stevens, does anyone have any suggestions of where else I should apply, and/or the chances I have in getting into those schools on my list?</p>

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<p>Look at RPI and RIT for engineering - you would have a good shot at RPI and a very good shot at RIT.</p>

15

<p>Yeah, I think I will try RPI. Thanks for the suggestions! Anyone else?</p>

16

<p>You need to tells us your wants. Honestly, this quote makes me sick.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I want to get into the best school I can, without much regard to much else

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No, you want a school that is right for you. I could tell you that I would be miserable at Harvard, or any ivy league school. My friend got into UPenn and isn't going there, rather UMich. And there are plenty of schools I discard due to majors. If a school doesn't have a big time sports program, I don't want to be there. If a school is private, and isn't going to offer me aid to compensate, i'm not applying there. Find out these needs.</p>

<p>From what you've said, want an east coast school, with access to a large city, this is a good start. It's also noted that you want a school with a "Big name". You seem very interested in statistics and engineering. I liked reading about the MLB statistics, that's something you could consider a career you know. The major i'm pursuing is Sport Management, which is basically what you do on your free time; find out how to "manage" sports, and learn tactics. Learn how to become a general manager. Statistics as a major is also a good one if you like working with numbers, and becoming a baseball statistician is indeed a career.</p>

<p>Now that we know type, we can talk about safeties, matches, and reaches. You need to start your list from the bottom out, and that means in-state safeties. One's that price is about 1/4 the tuition anywhere else, that you will be admitted into. With a 3.1 GPA and an SAT score of 1390, you will get into a lot of schools, although you have a much lower GPA than most other applicants. </p>

<p>You don't specify a state, but i'm assuming New Jersey since that's where the majority of the Kings stores are (you mentioned you worked/work there). Stevens Institute of Technology and Rutgers are good schools in New Jersey, despite what ivy-league applicants will tell you. </p>

<p>I think the GPA will deter you from applying to any ivy league schools or any upper level non-ivy schools. 3.1 is not very high, and not many top 30 schools will admit you with that GPA. </p>

<p>If you are interested in the DC area, American and George Washington are good schools for you. In Pennsylvania, Drexel, Penn State and Pittsburgh would work as well. Penn State would be a reach (another applicant on CC just got rejected there with a 3.0, 1380). RIT, as someone else said, would also be a good school.</p>

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<p>"No, you want a school that is right for you. I could tell you that I would be miserable at Harvard, or any ivy league school. My friend got into UPenn and isn't going there, rather UMich. And there are plenty of schools I discard due to majors. If a school doesn't have a big time sports program, I don't want to be there. If a school is private, and isn't going to offer me aid to compensate, i'm not applying there. Find out these needs."</p>

<p>I did some soul-searching earlier and all I came up with was big city and relatively close to home (yes, I am from New Jersey - nice methodology!). I do not care much for college sports, and if they are there fine, if not, thats also fine. I am very easy going with this. I fit in anywhere I want to fit in. My ONLY prerequisites are that it is east coast and near some life.</p>

<p>"From what you've said, want an east coast school, with access to a large city, this is a good start. It's also noted that you want a school with a "Big name". You seem very interested in statistics and engineering. I liked reading about the MLB statistics, that's something you could consider a career you know. The major i'm pursuing is Sport Management, which is basically what you do on your free time; find out how to "manage" sports, and learn tactics. Learn how to become a general manager. Statistics as a major is also a good one if you like working with numbers, and becoming a baseball statistician is indeed a career."</p>

<p>I do not need a big name. My parents want it. I applied to Cornell on the E.D. plan, and accordingly, was rejected. I expected it, and I am far from devastated, but I am getting up and trying again.</p>

<p>I am interested in both engineering and statistics, and I am considering them as a career. HOWEVER - my parents want me to be successful, moreso than they were. Considering their net worth, I need to major in something where I can make a large deal of money. I considered sports management, and I came to the conclusion that unless I am the GM or an agent, I could not make much money. Plus there is the whole factor that I want to revolutionize something; make my name known for doing something new. I do not think sports can do that. I considered Economics as a major, but my mom wants me to become a trader on wall street. My dad wants me to follow in his footsteps as an electrical/computer/software engineer.</p>

<p>"Now that we know type, we can talk about safeties, matches, and reaches. You need to start your list from the bottom out, and that means in-state safeties. One's that price is about 1/4 the tuition anywhere else, that you will be admitted into. With a 3.1 GPA and an SAT score of 1390, you will get into a lot of schools, although you have a much lower GPA than most other applicants."</p>

<p>Yep, I knew that. It makes this process semi-confusing.</p>

<p>"You don't specify a state, but i'm assuming New Jersey since that's where the majority of the Kings stores are (you mentioned you worked/work there). Stevens Institute of Technology and Rutgers are good schools in New Jersey, despite what ivy-league applicants will tell you."</p>

<p>Okay, now tell me where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?</p>

<p>"I think the GPA will deter you from applying to any ivy league schools or any upper level non-ivy schools. 3.1 is not very high, and not many top 30 schools will admit you with that GPA."</p>

<p>No, I did apply to Cornell. After reviewing the stats from my school for CMU last year, I think I have a reasonable, but small chance there:</p>

<p>They accepted 6 out of 12 and 3 enrolled with the lowest accepted GPA being a 3.24 and lowest SAT score a 1270. Meanwhile, their average accepted GPA was a 3.82 and SAT score was a 1413. Being a statistician, I realize that mean is not resistant to outliers, therefore the median would have been better. Additionally, there were 3 students who did not attend, making me believe that they used CMU as a safety and attended an Ivy or one of that ilk.</p>

<p>Maybe they wont accept me, but I see no reason NOT to apply, except their location.</p>

<p>"If you are interested in the DC area, American and George Washington are good schools for you. In Pennsylvania, Drexel, Penn State and Pittsburgh would work as well. Penn State would be a reach (another applicant on CC just got rejected there with a 3.0, 1380). RIT, as someone else said, would also be a good school."</p>

<p>Well, RIT/Stevens are not schools my parents want me to apply to when I brought it up, however they liked the idea of RPI after I showed them some smart people went there. I will not be applying to Penn State because I do not want to go to that school. Too large, and too many people from my current school will be there. Drexel and Pitt have been suggested and I am considering applying, but I'm not sure I would attend if I get in. I did a quick check and Penn State had 54 people apply from my school, 43 accepted and 7 attended. Their average accepted were a 3.48 GPA and a 1290 on the SATs while their lowest were a 2.34 GPA (wow?) and a 1030 on the SATs.</p>

<p>THANKS A LOT FOR THE CONSTRUCTIVE REPLY! I REALLY APPRECIATE IT! Thanks! :-D</p>

<p>Anyways, I'm finishing off most of my applications as we speak, but I would like to finalize my list in the near future. I really hope for any more help anyone can give. Any other suggestions for reaches, as I need to make my list palatable for my parents...</p>

18

<p>Well today, my mom suggested I apply to Cooper Union for engineering for the hell of it, and I decided I will. Unfortunately, I need SAT II scores for physics, so I need to take that on the 28th. Would that be okay for Cooper Union (deadline is February 1st for engineering students).</p>

<p>Oh yeah, also, would I stand a fighting chance?</p>

19

<p>"those jobs require such high qualifications that I doubt it would be practical to pursue those dreams"</p>

<p>c'mon now. That's not the right way to think about things. SAT scores aren't everything, you know. For example, my dad got something like a 1060 on the SAT, and now he's an IT executive. This may sound corny or whatever, but the only thing stopping you from pursuing those dreams is the mental block you have against them.</p>

20

<p>"This may sound corny or whatever, but the only thing stopping you from pursuing those dreams is the mental block you have against them."</p>

<p>I intend to pursue my dreams, but if I fail, I still want to have a back up plan. I do not want to get stuck as a CPA for my entire life doing the same repetetive crap day after day. My dad keeps telling me that I have to be practical and manage the risk involved with each prospective career.</p>

<p>I must admit, I must agree with his ideology. I would be ecstatic if I were the GM of the Yankees or Red Sox or Mets. Maybe even Tampa Bay! However, I am not so sure it would be smart to compete for a job where there are only thirty (30) positions. Baseball is the only sport that I am passionate about because it is the only sport which has such a degree of randomness and applied statistics. I may be a pseudo Billy Beane but Billy Beane would not have gotten his break had he not already been part of the baseball family due to his athletic skill. I just don't know.</p>

<p>Perhaps I would do a double major or a major/minor of two types of engineering, and get an MBA after, along with an internship with some team, which would enable me to have some sort of chance at a GM's job, along with the security in knowing that I am still well qualified in other areas. This reminds me a lot of a stock portfolio. I am trying to keep things diversified so I still have things open to me later and I minimize the risk involved.</p>

<p>BTW, I forgot to add that money is of almost no consequence. If I were accepted into Binghamton, Syracuse, or Rutgers, I would go to Binghamton because it is the cheapest of three relatively similar schools which offer me the same things. Maybe I would choose Rutgers if I found a way to commute from home, but money is only a factor when comparing similar schools. If it would require 100K a year for me to get a Harvard education, my parents would pay it, and I would work my ass off for it. I am blessed with that, and it really is a great relief that finances are no problem. I am very appreciative of that.</p>

<p>Thanks again for all the aid! Additional help would be appreciated though...</p>