<p>I’m just wondering if anyone has gone through this and wants to “chance” me.</p>
<p>What I’m looking at:
Low grades, about a 2.7 at probably the #2 school in Seattle - will expand on this later. No weighting. I’ve always taken the “tougher” classes, AP’s not offered. With this years grades factored in, they will hopefully be closer to a 2.9.</p>
<p>Test scores: over 2000 SAT, 31 ACT. Will probably submit the latter.</p>
<p>I’ve worked full time (20 hour weeks minimum during the school year, more during weekend/summer) since freshman year and ran a very successful business, which is the focus of (at least my common app) essay. The business was sold and the ensuing transaction was mostly a failure (don’t care to expand, sorry) and that is the topic I’m writing on. I consider myself well traveled, all continents for an extended period of time (except Australia and Antarctica). Several months in the African bush, several more in South America. I do have varsity sports (baseball) and community service, but work is the most important piece of my extraneous activities, at least in my mind. I’m yearbook editor (believe me, I know colleges don’t care) and a pretty serious photographer. </p>
<p>But: I apparently have a serious visuo-spatial disability that’s been undiagnosed until recently. I’m in the process of getting it officially designated, but its supposed to be the reason that math and science are so hard for me. I’m not entirely sure the effect that the diagnosis/designation will have. </p>
<p>Schools I’m interested in:
Santa Clara
University of Washington (legacy)
University of San Francisco
University of Denver
CU-Boulder
Stanford (very long legacy), but also very unlikely.</p>
<p>These are all schools I like and seem to fit me. I do not want to stay in Seattle but UW seems like a great school.</p>
<p>So, I guess I’m looking for chances, or just opinions/helpful suggestions. Thanks :)</p>
<p>I should have said, I took the ACT twice and some scores went up, some went down the 2nd time. For schools that take the “best of” categorically (I know there are a few), its a 33.</p>
<p>“I apparently have a serious visuo-spatial disability that’s been undiagnosed until recently. I’m in the process of getting it officially designated, but its supposed to be the reason that math and science are so hard for me. I’m not entirely sure the effect that the diagnosis/designation will have.”</p>
<p>Sounds like a cop out, especially with a 2000 SAT, 31/33 ACT…</p>
<p>I don’t think so. A “cop out” is “I HAVE A LEARNING DISABILITY BECAUSE SOMETIMES I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO FOCUS :(” – this sounds legit. Also, tmiles, can you PM me the name of the disorder so I can look it up? I’m interested in neuroscience and right now I’m doing research on a woman with a neurological disability that affects her visuo-spatial perceptions, and I’d be interested to learn about other conditions (I’m assuming you don’t have posterior cortical atrophy, since it’s not congenital and the onset is usually like 50+!)</p>
<p>ANYWAYS, sorry to say that your GPA will render Stanford unlikely, which you already know, but it’s totally worth a shot. I’m unfamiliar with the rest of your schools (plus, I’m only a senior myself and if I could make accurate predictions about this kind of thing, the app process wouldn’t be so nerve-wracking for me! ;)), but you seem very intelligent (and I can tell you’re a good writer), so with some great essays and a legit excuse for your relatively low GPA, I’m sure you’ve got a decent shot at the other schools on your list. It sounds like you have a lot of interesting stuff to write about, and that you’ll contribute a lot to whatever campus you end up on. :]</p>
<p>Just curious – where does your GPA put you in terms of rank? If your school has a really harsh system and you’re at least, like, top 50%, it’s not such a big deal.</p>
<p>I’d say the opposite, actually. I’ve worked super hard, never a missing assignment and done daily tutoring, and I cannot raise my math/science grades; which are very poor. All my historical teachers (last 3 years) submitted reports for the evaluation that basically said the same stuff, always did work and prepared for tests but cannot do well. In contrast, I have always gotten high grades in English/History/hands on classes. I do have a “colorful” in class personality but I’m not slacking.</p>
<p>But I do appreciate your feedback because I’m guessing that admissions reps and the sort may draw the same conclusion.</p>
<p>@poseur - sorry, yours appeared while I was writing the previous response. I’m keeping my expectations about Stanford realistic, I would be astonished if it came back positive. We aren’t ranked officially but a 3 point is about average for a guy.</p>