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Academics:
SAT I: 1390 (700 M, 690 V), taken twice
SAT II: 710 MathIC, to be taken: Writing, Spanish or something else
ACT: 31 Composite (30 Eng, 34 Math, 29 Sci, 29 Reading)
GPA (unweighted): 3.98/4
GPA (weighted): 5.21/5
Class rank: 6/382, will probably move up a spot.
AP Scores:
Soph Year: 4 Psych, 4 US Hist
Jr. Year: 5 MacroEcon, 4 English Comp, 4 World Hist, 3 Stat (will be suppressed)
Sr. Year: (yet to be taken): Euro, English Lit, Enviro, Spanish Lang, Calc BC
AP Scholar with Distinction
G/T Concert Bands, 3 years
Most rigorous schedule of any student in grade: all honors and APs


Extra Curriculars:
Key Club President, 4 year member
Yearbook Editor-in-Chief, 3 year member
National Honor Society Vice President, 2 year member (maximum)
Academic Team, 2 year member
Political Science Club, 3 year member
Mock Trial Team, 1 year member
Tennis Team, 2 year player
Student Council, 4 year member

Out of School:
Middle School Tutoring, 1 hr/week, 2 years
Social Action Vice President of Youth Group, 3 years
NFTY, 2 years
Freedom’s Answer National Leadership Council, 2 years
Freedom’s Answer Precinct Captain, 2 years
2, 1-week long Leadership Seminars
High School of Jewish Studies, 2 hours/week, 4 years

Summers:
Youth Travel to Australia for a month. (2002)
Community Service trip to Costa Rica for a month (120 hours), 2003
Governor’s School of International Studies at Ramapo College in NJ, 2004

Volunteering:
I have volunteered for approx. 300 hours throughout my high school career, all with the Costa Rica trip, NHS, Key Club, or Youth Group

My recommendations will probably be excellent and very personal. I have known both of the teachers for all four years and they know me very well. I also plan on sending in extra recommentations: one from my trip leader from Costa Rica who knows me extremely well and can attest to my abilities and possibly one from my Governor's School Director. My school is ranked in the top 1% of high schools in the country. Almost all go on to college, with the top 5% going to mostly Ivies and other highly competitive colleges. Nearly all Ivies are represented at each graduation and about two go on to each school. I come from an upper middle class white family living in the NJ suburbs. Parents went to Cornell (I would be 4th generation, but I definitely do not want to apply there) and Rutgers. Cousins and uncles went to very elite schools, including Harvard, Princeton, Brown, and others.

I plan on applying to:
Brown (ED), Columbia, Wash U (MO), Georgetown, Richmond, Tulane, Lehigh.

Majors:
Neuroscience, International Business, Statistics, Applied Math, Economics, and Spanish are possible. Is it better to paint myself as an undecided student rather than one with a major but no background in the subject? Or to proclaim a major where a background exists (such as Economics) but not real future interest?

My reasons for taking such a broad courseload is because I was never really sure what I wanted to major in or study after high school. It wasn't until this summer that I narrowed the list down to about 5 majors. My reason for applying to Brown is so I can explore those disciplines individually and plan my own curriculum with those concentrations in mind. The scopic high school courses reflects my lack of direction and intellecutual exploration while the time permitted.

My schedule:
I have taken:

Honors English I
Honors Algebra II
Honors US Hist I
Spanish II
Honors Chemistry
Gym/Health 9
Tolerance
Tech & Career Apps
G/T Concert Band
------------------
Honors Spanish III
Honors Biology
Gym/Health 10
AP US History II
AP Psychology
Honors Functions/Statistics/Trig
Honors English II
G/T Concert Band
-----------------
Honors Spanish IV
AP Statistics
Honors Pre-Calculus
AP Economics
Honors Physics
Gym/Health 11
AP English Lang and Composition
AP World History
--------------
AP Environmental Science
Gym/Health 12
AP Spanish V
AP English Literature and Composition
AP European History
AP Calculus BC
Practical/Experimental Chemistry (Semester)
Contemporary Issues (Semester)
G/T Concert Band

The reason for not taking AP Bio or Chem is because it has never been able to fit into my schedule.

I plan on taking the SATs and ACTs once more each. Hope on raising my SATs by at least 10 points and improving my composite by two.

Any help at all? Please. I'm desperate.

By Burutzagiuribe (Burutzagiuribe) on Saturday, August 14, 2004 - 02:31 am: Edit

retake SAT I

try to get REALLY amazing scores on SAT II's (they're VERY easy tests if you cram some of the prep books)

apply ED

and you'll have a good shot. everything else appears solid! good luck;)

(p.s. if you don't get in ED, apply to cornell for sure RD)

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 08:58 pm: Edit

Thanks for the help!!!

I don't think I want to apply to Cornell at all. I do not like the location, size, and campus.

My parents grew up with the alumni interviewer in my area. Is it a good idea to get a recommendation from him after an interview?

By Fredmurtz2 (Fredmurtz2) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 09:28 pm: Edit

Be honest about Why you have a varied courseload, Why you want to go to Brown, Note the relatives who attended. I think you stand a chance, but it's hard to say more based only on the info given.

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 09:53 pm: Edit

Thank you! I will try!

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 12:13 am: Edit

Should I even note that my (second) cousin went? Or does that seem too desperate and distant?

By Fredmurtz2 (Fredmurtz2) on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 12:35 am: Edit

Well....I don't see what harm can come of trying....Anyone else have an opinion?

By Fredmurtz2 (Fredmurtz2) on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 12:36 am: Edit

Oh yeah, What's your Email addy?

By Fredmurtz2 (Fredmurtz2) on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 02:03 am: Edit

edit: put it in your profile if you wouldn't mind as it isn't allowed to be posted

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Friday, August 20, 2004 - 12:20 pm: Edit

Just wondering: why do you want my email?

By Paulhomework (Paulhomework) on Sunday, August 22, 2004 - 06:08 pm: Edit

great ECs, tough courseload, assuming you get 750+ on your sat ii's, or retake sat i and get 1450+, i think you'll have a solid chance. emphasize your ecs that's by far your strongest point.

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 02:35 pm: Edit

thanks Paul.

PROBLEMO:

Brown ED is by November 1. There is only one SAT date before then. Should I take the I or the II? If I take it in November, will it reach Brown in time for their decision? I am also planning on retaking the ACTs. Brown allows a complete substitution of ACT for SAT I and II. What should I do?!?!

Fred: why do you want my e-mail?!

By Fredmurtz2 (Fredmurtz2) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 02:40 pm: Edit

Just wanted to ask if you had any questions about the place that's all

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Tuesday, August 24, 2004 - 05:31 pm: Edit

ooooo, ok. I had no idea.

By Jojomojojojo (Jojomojojojo) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 02:27 am: Edit

I'm applying early to Brown too Cluelesshopeful and i think they let you rush mail your Nov SATI score after all the apps are in.

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 10:25 pm: Edit

I just got my application and see that they accept November SAT scores. One more reason I am falling in love with Brown.

By Cluelesshopeful (Cluelesshopeful) on Saturday, October 02, 2004 - 09:19 pm: Edit

I decided to major in Economics. Good or bad idea?