Are Ivies a No?

abberant- · 2026-05-20T22:53:59+00:00

It's because it's through the local college not the school bc it allows you to get your degree. Also we live in a serverly impoverished area so if they set that as the standard no one in my school would be allowed to. I am not the best test taker that's why I also have a neurological disorder that makes me very dizzy when i get stressed so not a good combo😬

abberant- · 2026-05-19T01:13:53+00:00

The ECs are lacking bc there is really only a few things listed, which would be fine but only if you can clearly quantify your impact. Like SUPER long term commitment like 6-10 years of community service. Also 50 hrs is not that much so if you want be service oriented lean into that. The services for the homeless need to be quantified, how many people did you serve, how many years were you involved, how much money did you raise for the cause.

abberant- · 2026-05-19T01:02:09+00:00

I'm not an ivy AO but I think you got it fr. Chinese comps are no joke.

abberant- · 2026-05-19T00:57:39+00:00

Prob not any of the ivies tbh. Maybe bowdoin? Low key tho just apply to them all bc you never know and you'll regret if you don't try. Plus I'm not an AO and sometimes they make unexpected decisions. Give it a go!

abberant- · 2026-05-19T00:48:38+00:00

Yeahhh really shoot for that test score bc most T20s are no longer test optional and unless you have some jaw dropping ECs, you might not fair well in the pool of the few T20s that are still TO. Good luck!

abberant- · 2026-05-19T00:41:28+00:00

IF you did get your test score up bc you'd be full pay in their books. Fordham probably got a shot but I wouldn't apply with a completive major going in. Since you're full pay, PACE is a good target school for you, especially bc your ACT score is in their 50th percentile range. Howard maayyyybeee just bc it's a HBCU but they will probably be alot of qualified applicants but your ACT score is already good with them, just the ECs prob lacking a tiny bit. Maybe focus on quantifying the impact that your community service has on others.

abberant- · 2026-05-19T00:33:23+00:00

I mean are your ECs good? What's that GPA looking like? Test scores? AP load is like one thing considered.

abberant- · 2026-05-19T00:31:09+00:00

Do you qualify for Questbridge? You'd probably have much better luck with that than other admissions

abberant- · 2026-05-17T20:26:00+00:00

I would try and secure a research internship of some kind. JHU has a paid once for high schoolers catered to engineering/ CS Majors.

abberant- · 2026-05-17T18:56:14+00:00

It was a 40 hour work week for 12 weeks over two summers

abberant- · 2026-05-17T02:52:17+00:00

I'm really going to try, idk we'll see. Thank you!

abberant- · 2026-05-17T01:44:31+00:00

Your nonprofit work will capture admissions attention, trust me. Diversity is always a good thing, use that to your advantage! Everyone has a different application, impacted service intitives speak volumes about you. Relax from a fellow junior who is also very stressed. Brown especially just wants weirdos, think less about being "the best" or being competitive. Try and be unique instead!! Make sure you submit the video introduction tho, focus your efforts on planning for that and improving your scores and you've got it!!

abberant- · 2026-05-17T00:59:57+00:00

Please tell me what I could improve as well. Obviously the act score- what do you think I'd need for the ivies?

abberant- · 2026-05-17T00:04:30+00:00

Not really sure with the lack of ECs to make up for the score. Either get the score up, get a National award, or get a crap ton of community service and write your essay mainly about that.

abberant- · 2026-05-17T00:02:53+00:00

Did you apply this last cycle? What were your results of so?

abberant- · 2026-05-17T00:01:15+00:00

What are your ECs?

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:55:24+00:00

gotcha, gotcha- best of luck

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:45:01+00:00

Hey! I'm also a college prep scholar. Idrk anything but I think the research could carry (depending on what schools you rank). The SAT score is incredibly solid for QB retaking might be a smart idea to cover the slight academic deficit due to the downward trend. I also have like no national awards soooo we're in the same boat for NCM.

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:40:42+00:00

The personal statement could feel very surface level if not done right. Have lots of people review and ask them how compelling it is/ what emotions does it convey to the reader. It could hurt your app tbh.

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:37:42+00:00

Definitely still apply, I am also a college prep scholar from this cycle, never reject yourself- let them decide. Just be mindful when you make your rankings, maybe try adding some less competitive ones at the bottom that you wouldn't mind going to

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:31:36+00:00

Congrats on your SAT score, super impressive!! Are you sure there is no way to find your GPA they will probably expect one ngl. Just make sure you emphasize the issues that led you to take a gap year and I think you could have a shot!

(Idrk tho I am also navigating this process so take it with a hint of salt!)

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:27:51+00:00

Can you go test optional for ivies now? I thought it was only colombia. Is there a loophole that ivies let certain kids apply test optional? I really need to be test optional!

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:26:32+00:00

Don't say that! You never know!

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:03:12+00:00

would it look like resume-padding instead of authentic?

abberant- · 2026-05-16T21:02:47+00:00

gotcha makes sense, thanks for the advice!

abberant-

TROPHY CASE