Do I have a chance?

Question

I go to a blue-ribbon high school that is known for it's unbelievably smart, rich students. But, because we have so many smart people in my class, being in the top 10% or even the top 25% is a huge stretch.
I have a 3.4 unweighted GPA and am in the top 50% of my class. I am a good student and try very hard to make As in all of my classes. I am a sophomore and am taking Pre-AP English II, Geometry, IPC (Integrated Physics and Chemistry), French II, and World History AP (the only AP course offered to sophomores).
I plan on taking AP English and Social Studies classes for the rest of high school and Pre-AP Math classes. I am also taking art for the next 2 years and graphic design and AP Art History senior year.
I love Brown and would do anything to get into their architecture department but I'm worried that because of my fairly low GPA and class rank, that I won't have any chance.
What do you think?

I plan to be in choir all 4 years of high school. I am a member of an organization called "Invisible Children- Schools for Schools" which works to help solve the problem of child soldiers in Uganda. I am also planning on being in the art club at school next year and taking a 6-week architecture course at UT next summer.

I am also working at Jamba Juice and at Texas Freedom Network this summer. I might be going up to visit the Brown campus as well.

Answer 1

Brown is extremely tough to get into. I don't think a 3.4 will get you in. But I think you are making a mistake looking only at Brown. The Architecture program at Brown is mainly an art-history type program. If you want to mainly design new buildings, Brown is probably not the best choice. You should be looking around at other schools that fit closer to what you might want to do. Don't think that your future or your career is dependent on getting into one particular school. There are 4000 college campuses in the USA and there are many schools where you can study architecture with great profs....
Look at more options!

Answer 2

Certainly Brown is extremely hard to get into, but it sounds like you're on the right track to making the most of your credentials.

Then there'll be that matter of luck, to some degree, or something else that makes you stand out to them...maybe you're "geographically desirable" or play a certain instrument or sport they need, etc.

Make sure they know you are interested...e.g. visit Brown's website and sign up for literature, visit the campus and at local college fairs also request literature. Schools are (more) interested in (qualified) students who are interested in them.

If they still have any early decision/early action opportunities, apply that way. Typically chances of admission are a bit higher than the average at that time.

You didn't mention anything about clubs, community service, sports, performing arts at your school. Make sure that you can demonstrate that you're a well-rounded person with varied interests, and that you're not totally self-absorbed.

See if you can do an independent study at your school that involves architecture, as an extra course. (At my kids' high school you can do that, either as a pass/fail course, or as an honors-equivalent, graded course. The latter requires more work and has established standards, but the course curriculum in either case is largely decided by the student and the sponsoring teacher.) That might catch Brown's attention. Or take a summer course at a local college in the field. Show your commitment to architecture in some creative way.

Regardless of where you end up, sounds like some school will be lucky to have you. Work hard, stay safe and have fun.

Answer 3

The only way to know is to try! Be sure to put any and all extracurriculars, jobs, etc, that you have done on your application. When you have time, do community service! It looks awesome on resumes.

If you apply and don't get in, don't fret. Take a year or so at a community college, do well, and apply again. It helps many people!

Answer 4

There is no easy way to say that you have very little chance. Unless your parents are alumni from the school and contributing a lot of more or are fairly rich, you will most likely not make it into Brown.