Personal Situation Impact on Admissions Decision?

Chance Me / Match Me
1

<p>Woo for mah first post on College Discussion :D</p>

<p>I am curious, just exactly HOW much weight, if any, do some of the artsier Ivys and Competitive schools like Columbia, Stanford, Brown, Pomona, Oberlin, Vassar, Bowdoin, etc. place on an applicant’s personal qualities beyond your basic ECs, Standardized Test Scores, GPA, and such. I mean, all my basic supporting qualities are there, maybe even a little impressive compared to the public-school-destined kids in my school, but they certainly aren’t going to stand out in an Ivy-applying crowd of applicants.</p>

<p>Here’s the basic info for me:
SAT I: Reading-700
Math-700
ACT:
31 Superscore
SAT IIs:
World His.-750
Literature-790
U.S History-650</p>

<p>GPA -3.85 - top 7%
ECs:
over 2,000 hours in Band throughout school
State Level competitions in Drama performance and Music Performance
250 Hours in Church Volunteering, Run Soundboard and Multimedia, etc.
400 Hours in Drama/Theatre, including multiple leading roles
15 Hrs a week Employment - Same job for 3 years
blah blah blah, you understand where this goes.</p>

<p>So the more Special/Unique stuff I referred to earlier in the post:</p>

<p>I was one of the last adopted children to get out of Romania just after the revolution and the revamping of the adoption system. I also am one of only 10 students from a class of 200 applying to out of state schools, and I was the first student from my school to be recognized by the National Merit Association in 5 years. Obviously, we are not a “Famous” or “Competitive” high school :P. I almost completed the emancipation of minor procedure due to conflicts with my parents over my being gay. I’m a little independent, as they say. I’ve always been a fairly strong writer, but I’m hoping that my personal story that I have to tell will help me to stand out. Sure, many of these characteristics don’t REALLY qualify anyone’s chance for success in a collegiate environment, but with so many perfect SAT scores and 4.999999 GPAs, I’m hoping some of these schools are looking for people who have had some unique life experiences, and have some street-smarts in addition to their book-wormish smartz. Am I just applying way out of my league?
Any attention is appreciated! :smiley:
<3 Christian Wright (yes, I realize my name is a political pun X_X)</p>

2

<p>i think you’re independence from your parents due to your sexuality will be meaningful in admissions, certainly. most students don’t have to deal with the issues you’ve had to deal with and therefore, if you’re essay is thoughtful about your circumstances, i think it will boost your chances everywhere you apply.</p>

3

<p>alright, i hope you’re correct! thx for the info :)</p>

4

<p>Are you a junior or a senior? I think it would be important for you to raise your class rank. At schools that are not competitive, colleges like the ones you list will expect you to be at the top of your class.</p>

<p>Your story sounds interesting. Try your best to get your stats more in line with those accepted at top schools, though the last 3 look doable with current stats.</p>

5

<p>yeah, your story sounds intersting… i would love to read ur essays haha</p>

6

<p>ur rank is fine btw, u got a good GPA and scores, if ur essay portrays ur background you have great chances.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/623727-chances-would-appreciated-chances-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/623727-chances-would-appreciated-chances-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>Well, one of my questions is, if I were to take SATs this month and scored higher, would they be received in time to taken into account for the admissions decision?</p>

8

<p>Very interesting, you get the admission process! Excellent choices, you’re a good fit at Oberlin, Vassar, Bowdoin, and Pomona, you would love the intellectual vibe at the university. In a strange way, you have a decent shot at Stanford/ Brown…Columbia will be a suprise, if you were to get admitted.</p>

9

<p>lol, thanks for the vote of confidence scguy :D</p>