Uneven application - chances?

Colleges & Universities Brown University
1

<p>Okay, my application has its strong points and its definite weak points. </p>

<p>Strongest point is probably standardized test scores and GPA, average/weak point is EC, weak point is class rank. I know numbers don’t count for everything at a school like Brown, but I gotta hope that they count for quite a bit - because they’re the only thing that sort of stand out. </p>

<p>My scores have come out as good as I could have hoped:</p>

<p>CR: 800
MA: 800
WR: 790
Chem: 800
Physics: 800
Math IIC: 800</p>

<p>GPA should be in the 3.9 unweighted; don’t know how to weight it b/c I’m a Canadian and I don’t know what counts as an ‘honours’ course or not. (Accelerated, maybe? We have no Honours program, least not in BC.)</p>

<p>After standardized scores, my application weakens considerably. </p>

<p>The only EC’s I have that show leadership are being editor-in-chief of school newspaper, and founding a couple of school clubs (model UN and quiz bowl team). I also founded a now defunct rock band, but I don’t expect any mileage out of that; I put it in only for the sake of breaking the ‘nerdy violin/piano Asian’ image. (No offense to other East Asians here, but that is a reality we all face.) The rest are purely participatory: tutoring (3 years), choir (3 years), guitar/singing (4 years), Leo Club (2 years), and an assortment of school clubs that are too insignificant to mention. </p>

<p>Class rank is brutal. I just found out that my school doesn’t keep cumulative class rank throughout high school, in which I’d stand a good chance of cracking top 5%. They’re only using the grade 12 year, where I’ve fallen out of the top 10%. (My marks haven’t gone down significantly - average percentage has dropped a couple points but I’m still pulling all A’s. Reasons for dropping in class rank have more to do with the nature of grade 12 at my school, where a plethora of elective courses allow many to pad their numbers.)</p>

<p>My recommendations were solid but no high-flying ones from principals or employers or anything like that. (I have a friend who’s getting one from an MP; the Canadian equivalent of a Congresswoman. Yeesh.) I’m confident I displayed personality in my essays, but I don’t want to prognosticate more than that. My interview is tomorrow, and I’m feeling pretty confident about that.</p>

<p>I’m a Korean male from Vancouver, BC. One thing that may tip things in my favour, but only a little bit, is the fact that my older brother currently attends Brown. But he’s a freshman, so it’s not like I’m a legacy candidate or anything.</p>

2

<p>님 평소에 하는일 열심히 하면서 기다리세요… 이런거 올린다고 달라지는것두 없어염</p>

3

<p>lol hey thanx for the uber esoteric message. Yes I realize that nothing will change now but it’s for peace of mind’s sake. I hope someone out there will humour me.</p>

<p>A couple things I forgot in my initial post. I’ve taken tae kwon do for four years (currently a brown belt) - again participatory, but it’s the only thing approximating an athletic commitment that I’ve kept during high school.</p>

<p>Also, I forgot about AP’s. I’ve taken two, 5’s on Calc BC and Physics B. I’m taking an AP Bio exam this May.</p>

4

<p>Hey, I think you have a great chance for Brown… Just be sure to show interest.</p>

5

<p>I have no idea what your chances are for acceptance (probably around 10-13% like every other applicant – since we can’t see your essays or recommendations there’s no way to tell about the intangibles), but I have some comments. First, Brown does consider that sibling connection a legacy. And second, editor of your paper is a perfectly fine example of leadership.</p>

<p>As for the rank issue – since your school has such an unusual way of ranking, I would think that your ranking situation should not be held against you. If Brown is familiar with your HS, admissions will know that. Or, you could send a supplemental letter to the committee explaining the situation, or tell your alumni interviewer.</p>

<p>Another plus in your favor is that you are male.</p>

6

<p>If your school is hard, or has an unusal ranking situation, that will most likely be taken into account. A 3.9 is good regardless of class rank. </p>

<p>It will help a little that your brother goes there. I know A LOT of sibling pairs that go here. And that you’re male, that will help too.</p>

7

<p>Your ECs aren’t as bad as you think, and you don’t necessarily need to be “well rounded”.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, those are fabulous test scores.</p>

8

<p>Amazing test scores, those will definately help you.</p>

<p>Did you hold any volunteer positions? Have you won any awards? Brown tends to like applicants that have done something out of the ordinary.</p>

<p>Other than that, everything looks great. Don’t worry about your rank.</p>

9

<p>AMAZING SAT scores! </p>

<p>I’m from Vancouver as well! My school has similar ranking system. Though I have decent rank at my school, I totally understand your frustrations (b/c I took all academics this year when our school’s top student took ceramics and foods). I believe all our concellors emphasize the no-fair part of our ranking system, so no worries with the rank.</p>

<p>your EC aren’t that bad! I will be surprised if you didn’t get in! GL</p>

10

<p>You’ve already turned in your app; stop worrying. We can’t tell you anything, really. Wait for March 29 :]</p>

11

<p>hey dude, enjoy the rest of ur senior year… oh yea, and try to get ur band together again, ^^</p>