Let me begin with a brief resume. I have a 4.89 GPA, have taken 10 AP classes. Of my 6 AP exams, I’ve received five 5’s and a 4. I was state president of DECA, NHS President, president of a community service club I started, worked 2 jobs since 9th grade, and am a first generation college student. I also started a photography business with a friend where he specializes in photography and I handle the business end. I thought I had a great resume that could get me admitted to some of the nation’s most elite universities. However, I have heard back from several schools already and have been denied by 2, wait listed by 2, and only accepted by my state university as a backup school. I’m only waiting to hear back from 2 Ivy League schools but highly doubt that I’ll get accepted at this point. I was told by parents, teachers, counselors, and friends that I would surely get into my first choice. But after being shut out I am wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar? For two years I was told again and again how great things were going to go for me and now I’m just kinda looking for some answers or explanations beyond, “I’m sure wherever you end up will be great,” or “your state school would be lucky to have you.”
You appear to be like so many of the outstanding students who post here asking whether they have a chance at the most elite colleges. Yes, you had a chance. You were qualified, and your application undoubtedly received serious consideration (although you didn’t mention ACT/SAT scores) if you met all those criteria. Unfortunately, there are many more outstanding, qualified candidates than there are slots at those colleges. The best students from all over the world are competing for admission, and the majority of them will not get in. You obviously have the drive and discipline to succeed wherever you go.
@woogzmama the worst was when I saw a student who was objectively less qualified get admitted to Boston College yesterday when I was wait listed.
ACT-
Reading 33
Writing 33
Math 34
Science 36
Composite even 34
SAT was a 2090 the first time and then a 2180 a second time
I’m shocked that you didn’t get into BC, also. I’m not sure they’re needs-blind; were you seeking financial aid?
Well the good news is you will be a superstar at your State U. Do they have an honors program? Did you get scholarships?
The problem with comparing yourself to other students if you don’t know if they are in a less popular major, play sports, are a great cellist, are full pay or provide diversity in some way.
I was fortunate enough to have a scholarship to my state school. Unfortunately, however, my parents saved enough money to pay the full tuition at an Ivy League school to cover the education of both my brother and I. Our household income is about 65k per year which isn’t too much or too little but there were so many sacrifices made so I would be able to attend a great school. I feel like a disappointment. Its a situation of “You did everything right but things just didn’t work out.” I’ve completely ignored my state school. While most applicants paid the housing deposit in November and have submitted their housing applications I have yet to do either because I was holding out for my preferred schools. Now I feel like I will be assigned a low priority number for housing as well.
@bopper as a white male I can’t bring any ethnic or gender diversity. My counselor was talking about scholarships available for Irish students, but my Irish ancestry was too small to place me in consideration. She joked I’m too white for the white scholarships
Similar except I think my stats are a hair lower and ECs less impressive. Where does your GPA put you, as I learned from another thread that is similar to yours (Rejected from many schools) who also had a 34 a class of rank of 9% in a school of 500 is not as promising as it appears (not saying that is where you are).
I assume the WL was at an elite schools? As usual, have your GC call to find out, check that nothing was missing, find out why you were WL, what chance you have. I do think you should have applied to more schools, I am embarrassed to say how many I have applied to. All this may mean is I get more rejection letters. Next week and the week after could be very hard and I have not been sleeping. While I did not apply to BC, there is at least one college where I was in the range for Merit money based on their web site and am wondering now if I will even be accepted (they have been sending out slowly and not to me). Definite accept the WLs if you are interested and hope for the best and try to get a full ride from your state school.
Just because your parents saved does not mean you may not qualify for FA if there income is 65k. If it is 265k then yes you will not qualify.
Also, I have heard stories anectodal of course, of people applying to certain schools after the fact if they were exceptional candidates that the college would have loved to have. Not saying HYPS or even most Tier 1 but there may be some school that your GC knows of that is perhaps a category below that can make room for you. Were you recruited by anyone who you did not apply to? I am thinking of the better merit money schools.
Did you send your SAT scores? I assume not since ACTs were better