What are my chances at ED?

Morningsider
Wed, 29 Oct 2014 19:51:28 +0000

Just a couple of comments from my perspective as an alumnus interviewer (and formerly doing it in NYC):

Grades: Since 96% is low for your school, it has ridiculous grade inflation so adcom would look more at class rank. However, your school seems to not have class rank. Fortunately the adcom should be familiar with grade distribution at all NYC specialized schools.

Test scores look good. ECs are meh, frankly. I think adcom wants to see great depth in one or more areas. I doubt if anyone anywhere is impressed by hospital volunteering; it’s so common and also almost de rigueur for premeds. Also nobody cares you were VP of the Economics Club. But maybe you’re underselling your music journalism. Keep it up & submit samples of your best work in your app. The street vendor experience has potential but only if you can talk it up (in your essay) like Spalding Gray – look him up if you don’t know who he was.

Intended major: This may be a real deal killer. You can’t major in business management or finance at CC. Maybe you should be prioritizing Wharton instead (it so happens I’m a TA there ATM). But if you need to stay in NYC for personal reasons, or can’t imagine going to college anywhere else, for what it’s worth I think you have a decent shot at ED admission. Keep in mind it’s twice as likely to get in ED as regular, so that’s the way to go if CC really is your first choice. GL whatever you decide.