Okay! So Binghamton University is TOUGH to get into. I want to do psych research at their school. Only 2,500/33,000 freshmen were accepted this year. I have a 3.9 gpa, I’ve taken 3 total AP classes, and am taking college-level math and spanish in addition to those. I did average on my SAT’s (within their median range, except 30 points lower in math…) but I’m retaking and hope to change that. As far as extracirriculars, I’m in countless clubs and do track, theater, foreign language club, tri-m music honor society, am in High-School Challenge, and more. As far as acheivements, at the top of the list will be my acceptence into All-National Band (travelling to Grand Ol’ Opry for performance) and two perfect scores on my All-State solos (on saxophone). I also get around with my artistic filming and photography. Oh, I’m also a second degree back belt martial artist and teach children and adults based on volunteering.
Overall (and I’m not trying to boast or brag (I hate that), I’m just putting everything out there), what are my chances of getting in, best case scenario being through early action?? Is there anything else I can do to improve those chances? Oh, I’m also a local, which I heard isn’t good for my chances…
And finally, I have a possibly-great possibly-horribly-stupid idea for my essay. I went on a tour and the admissions guy said that they don’t scrutinize essays and they like when students just tell them about themselves in any way. They’re also all about being yourself and whatnot. Like many people in my area, I have a tough relationship with National Honors Society; rejection for strange reasons despite being on great standings with teachers and watching people get in who do horrible things and are generally rude people. Then I wrote a “letter of appeal” that I poured my heart into and got rejected AGAIN! The only reason I was given for not being accepted was that my “personality isn’t fit for formal classroom settings” and I’m basically too outgoing. My essay would be about how I’m not willing to fit a mold of perfection. I wouldn’t talk negatively about the program, just describe honestly why it isn’t for me. Is that a bad idea, possibly making excuses for why I wasn’t accepted?
I think it would be a terrible idea to write about being rejected from NHS. It raises too many questions no matter how you spin it. Saying that it isn’t for you after you tried twice to get in sounds like sour grapes. Write about something else
Binghamton University accepts about 44% of applicants. I don't know where you're getting the 2,500/33,000 number, but that would make the school more selective than half the Ivy League.
Doing 20 clubs isn't going to help much. You only get to list 10 activities on the Common App, and even within that limit less is often more. If you have 10 activities in which you've been an active participant (showing up to meetings every other week doesn't count), list them. If you don't, there's no need to list a full slate of activities. If you list 4-5 strong extracurriculars and nothing else, it'll carry more weight than filling up slots #9 and #10 with half a year of JV ping pong and chess club in grade 9 (or whatever).
I agree with @Falcon1 on the essay. First of all, most schools don't care all that much about NHS. It has more than a million members at the moment, or about 1 in 15 students nationwide. It'll be considered another club, but there's no more reason to write an essay about getting rejected from NHS than there is to write about not getting into the ultimate frisbee club in grade 10. Secondly, putting myself in the shoes of an admissions officer, there are few topics I'd be less interested in reading 650 words about than NHS. Finally, no college is going to ask why you aren't in NHS, so why be the one to draw Binghamton's attention to the fact that you were rejected twice.
Perhaps OP isn’t considering yield. Not everybody accepted to a school will end up attending, so you can’t just divide the number of freshmen by the number of apps. Far more students will be accepted than will be enrolled.
Right, with Binghamton close to 80% offered admission will chose someplace else. It is relatively rare for Binghamton to be at the top of a students list. Given that, they would probably welcome an applicant who really wants to attend. Considering this in a different way, you are worried that you may not be one of the 40% accepted. The school is worried that they won’t be the school chosen by nearly 80% of those that they extend an offer to. Given that, showing interest would probably help.
