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Hello,my situation is this:

My SAT I is 1480 II's are 720,730,750. My counselor says my EC's are some of the best he's ever seen. I made all-state choir and band. I won the conference tennis championship. I also have finished high in some national Tae Kwon Do tournaments. I have some other clubs too, but I don't put as much time into those.

My weakest part of my application is that my GPA is 3.6 and I'm barely ranked in the top 15%. My school is a mediocre suburban one. It's never sent a kid to an ivy before. Am I kidding myself if I apply to Brown or Columbia?

By Amanda on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 10:26 am: Edit

I don't know based on your stats and everything if you can get in, but those are definetely not the worse stats I have seen.

If you really want to go there, apply. That is the only way you will ever know for sure. What is the worse thing they could say? Denied Acceptance. At least then, you will know.

By Roger (Roger) on Thursday, October 18, 2001 - 02:38 pm: Edit

Luis, you have a chance at Columbia and Brown - as Amanda suggests, you should definitely apply if you are highly interested in these schools.

In my opinion, a lot will depend on your ECs, recommendations, and essays. Academically, you have a strong record, but so do most other applicants. There's a bit of a disconnect between your strong SAT II scores and your class rank. The fact that your school hasn't created a track record with the Ivies might actually help you. Attempting to break the 1500 barrier on the SAT I probably wouldn't hurt.

Be sure you pick good recommendation writers and, to the extent you can, brief them on what your target schools might be looking for. Write a killer essay, and keep your fingers crossed that the admissions committee likes your ECs. You might get lucky, particularly if the school needs someone with your band instrument, etc. Be sure to feature your national achievements in Tae Kwon Do - selective colleges seem to like students who have distinguished themselves at the national level. Good luck!

By ron on Saturday, July 06, 2002 - 07:12 pm: Edit

So, did you get in? At least to me, it sounds like your hooks are impressive and a good essay could have definetly been the deciding factor. I think you really don't have to worry all that much and just hope for the best.