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I love this website. Tons of information and a lot of help. Though, reading through some of these posts, I can't help but think...Am I the ONLY one who doesn't have this HIGH HIGH GPA and this great SAT score & doesn't dream about getting into IVY LEAGUE schools? I mean, I really respect everyone on this site with these amazing stats, if only I could be that smart and be an over-achiever..but, I am not. Lol...My dream school is the University of Miami. My GPA is between a 3.8-4.0 and my SATS are around a 1300. My EC's aren't great, mostly evolved around my Indian heritage and volunteering.

Looking through these posts, I feel..well, stupid. And, I have never felt stupid. I mean, I always though I was an average student. I work hard for my grades. But, now seeing that so many students (SO MANY) are these perfect students, I feel like an idiot. Lol..don't get me wrong, though. I look up to you guys with these great scores. And, since I'm only a sophomore I hope to have stats even a little close to your guys'. But, yeah. I just wanted to say that because with all these posts about these perfect students, I'm starting to think...

Am I going to get accepted even? I mean, I know that these genius people won't be applying to University of Miami so my competition won't be as tough, but my god. SERIOUSLY...I know, you guys are like she's over reacting, blah blah...just my thoughts. Any of your guys' thoughts would be awesome, too.

-Shivani

P.S- I've been posting my questions on this site for a few weeks now, and thanks to everyone who has helped me out in answering my questions!

By Stevengoo (Stevengoo) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 06:06 am: Edit

dont worry... i was hoping (and did) to get into UMD... i dont have above a 4.0 and my sats were 1270... the only reason i started posting here was to find out when emory EDII came out (which i got w/l) but i liked it here so i stayed

By Demingy (Demingy) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 10:58 am: Edit

Shivani, You are incorrect in assuming you're an "average" student, your stats are still above average. Ignore the average on cc because most of these students are well above average. Your stats are actually very impressive and you certainly aren't the only one.

I know how intimidating many of these students can be.....I've had moments when I feel a little "stupid" too. Just remember that you really aren't, and that this board certainly is not a good example of the majority of students out there.

I don't know too much about the University of Miami (although I do know that they have really good programs), but from what I do know I think that you shouldn't have too many problems getting in. Your GPA is very good, as well as your SAT score (again both are above average), and I think that it is really a plus that your ECs focus on your heritage and volunteering. It shows that you are proud of who you are and a lot of colleges will be impressed with that. As long as you have good essays (which I think you will from your writing style even in an informal setting) and good recommendations, you probably don't have too much to worry about.

Good luck, and make sure you let everyone here know when you've been accepted to the University of Miami. ;-)

By 1tcm (1tcm) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 12:22 pm: Edit

Shavani, I couldn't agree more with Demingy. As the parent of a UM student I think you've got a great chance at UM. Your stats and my sons are almost identical. Do be aware that they are increasing every year however, so keep up the great work. Good luck and if there's any questions I can answer for you about Miami I'd be happy to help.

By Alejandro (Alejandro) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 04:17 pm: Edit

shivani, my SAT's are lower than urs (considerably so) lol i got a 1220, and I am going to a good school (Tufts). Im lucky I found out about CC after applying simply because seeing so many "perfect" people would really have discouraged me to apply to these places, where I ended up being accepted. So take everything you read here with a grain of salt and add your judgement to it

By Excusememixed (Excusememixed) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 04:21 pm: Edit

Well, I got an 1150..and I got accepted to my reach school, Boston College, at which I'll be attending. So, yeah..you're doing really well.

By Brandnew (Brandnew) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 08:33 pm: Edit

I'm another example, my GPA is 3.2 and im going to UCLA, your stats are great =)

By Shivani (Shivani) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 09:00 pm: Edit

hey guys! thanks so much for all the response!! i'm soo glad i'm not the only one, phew.

Demingy- thanks for all the advice & I'll make sure and let everyone here know when and if i get into UM :-]

1tcm- thanks for your advice, also. That's so awesome your son goes to UM, it's a great school. I was wondering, though, will it look very bad that I got 2 C's for one semester during my sophomore year? Did your son have any C's when he applied? Thanks for your help!!

Alejandro- wow that's awesome & good job getting into Tufts!! I'll be sure and take your advice, thanks for posting! :]


Excusememixed- Good Job!! I'm sure your grades were great though, as well as your EC's (same with (Alejandro) Thanks for your reply!!

Brandnew- That's awesome! Thanks! And, lol, I love Brand New..!

By Ucbhopeful (Ucbhopeful) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 11:43 pm: Edit

1180 SATs here, 3.5 gpa, rank: upper 50%
going to UCB

By Allena (Allena) on Thursday, June 03, 2004 - 11:48 pm: Edit

When I finshed High School I had a 3.2 GPA, and only scored a 1000 on the SAT's. I don't remember what the exact number was but I was ranked in the top 25% of the class, which was kinda surprising with that low of a GPA. All I really had going for me was I had really good EC's.

I'm in a CC now and have done a lot of work and have my GPA up in the 4.0 range. So even though it is going to take me a little longer, I'll still make it to a university eventually. Shivani your stats are actually very impressive, keep it up and you won't have too much to worry about.

By Judeezy36 (Judeezy36) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 12:10 am: Edit

3.35 1200, don't feel discouraged.. accepted at boston college, haverford, and going to george washington U

By Usunkmyb_Ship (Usunkmyb_Ship) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 12:18 am: Edit

3.6-7
ACT 19-23

By Shivani (Shivani) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 01:02 am: Edit

you guys make me happy. lol
<3 thanks so much guys and good luck to every one of you!!! thanks soo much for the advice and encouragement. i need it bad!! :] :]
-*shivani*-

Allena- that's awesome. good job!! thanks a lot, you're good motivation!! good luck with everything in your future!

judeezy36- really? awesome! im so glad im not the only one and that's awesome, good job and good luck in the future!!

unsunkyb_ship- awesome!! lol i feel a lot better now..good luck to you, too!!

THANKS GUYS!!

By 1tcm (1tcm) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 01:08 am: Edit

Shivani, no C's on his grade card, but not anything remotely as interesting as your EC's. Just your basic normal EC's. I think his hook (if he had one) was his work experience, having held down a job since he was 14. His choice, not by necessity. Your right on target for UM, and your upward trend in your grades looks very good. If you have any specific questions about applying or visiting, be sure and read or post a question to me in the individual schools threads here on CC and I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have. There is a pretty good discussion about UM going there now, so it might help you out.

By Shivani (Shivani) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 04:00 am: Edit

Thanks so much for your advice!! Well, I've had a job working at my Dad's business since I was 15 but I didn't know I could put that down as an EC. Awesome! I know I'll come to you with anymore questions, and I will visit that thread on UM! Thanks for the advice!!!

-*Shivani*-

Keep them coming, guys!!

By Any1can (Any1can) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 09:03 am: Edit

Son-UW GPA 3.4., SAT 1170, ACT 27,
going to UCLA, Top 10% of class, Athletic recruit at other schools-(Cal Poly-SLO & UCSD)but not at UCLA, Some EC's on top of athletics, very well rounded student-6 AP's took all available except AP language.

By Shivani (Shivani) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 06:00 am: Edit

Any1can-Thanks for the info.! But, unlike your son, I don't have any school related sports and I think I am in the top 25% of my class. I dance though, but individually, and I dance traditional Indian and at certain events. I'm sure that counts as an E.C but probably would not look as good as school related athletics. Also, I am planning on applying ED so I will only have taken 4AP classes when I apply. :[ I am stressed.

But, THANKS GUYS for the advice!!

-*shivani*- :-/

By Northstarmom (Northstarmom) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 09:00 am: Edit

You don't need tons of ECs to get into college. One also does not need to have sports at all to get into college.

Your stats sound fine for a school like University of Miami. Your Indian dancing sounds like a very nice EC that also may make you stand out from the crowd doing more mainstream things.

If you want to see where you stand with the university, go to their website and look under the prospective students area. Many colleges will put there a profile of their current freshman class.

By Any1can (Any1can) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 09:34 am: Edit

Maybe you could somehow incorporated your dancing into your essay?? It is very unique. God luck with your search.

By Shivani (Shivani) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 09:56 am: Edit

northstarmom- thanks for your advice, it always seems to help :] don't ever stop posting at this website, lol thanks again :]

any1can- yeah i am thinking to do that but also, my counselor thought that i should write my essay about my moms diagnosis and how i dealt with it and how it was from my perspective. how it changed me as a person. you know? but also, i want to write about my heritage because i feel really strongly about my background and where i come from, it's really important to me and i want to make sure that they know this. thanks for your advice, really thank you so much!! :]

-*shivani*-

By Gianscolere (Gianscolere) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 12:34 pm: Edit

you have the right to pursue your dream, but you probably don't need to since yours stats are in the ballpark for UMiami, right? my gpa is lower than yours (i'm a sophomore too, btw, so i will work hard on improving mine), yet i'm still aiming for schools like uchicago. don't get discouraged

By Shivani (Shivani) on Saturday, June 05, 2004 - 12:39 pm: Edit

hey thanks for the advice :]
good luck with everything & i'm sure of it that you will get into the school you want because you seem like you have a lot of potential. :] thanks so much, again!
-*shivani*-

By Doubleg326 (Doubleg326) on Monday, June 07, 2004 - 05:46 pm: Edit

I am also looking into applying to U of Miami since it is my dream school and my stats are nowhere near yours. I have about a 3.1-3.2 gpa with 1280 SATs (retaking them in Oct) with no EC's, so I should be the one who isnt confident, not you.

By Shivani (Shivani) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 03:40 am: Edit

Doubleg327- That's awesome you are planning on going to U of Miami! I believe that you will get in if you truly want it. I've been informed that U of Miami in actuality looks past the numbers and into what a person is really about. I know of people who have got into U of Miami with an 1190. But, she was in the IB program. Still, though…I think you have a fine chance of getting in! Good luck! Make sure and tell me what happens, ok? :]
-*shivani*-