<p>So me and my two other classmates are all applying to Johns Hopkins. That isn't necessarily our first choice or anything, but I know that it is definitely up there (at least for me it is). We are all pretty much in the same classes, which are most competitive at our public high school. Assuming that only one of us will get in, who do you think it will be?</p>
<p>Person A: 4.0 unweighted GPA. Top 3% of class. ~2100 SAT score. 700's on all other SAT IIs. Member of a couple of clubs. No sports or leadership positions. Part-time job at a local supermarket. Nothing much besides that for ECs. Few school awards.</p>
<p>Person B: 3.8 unweighted GPA. Top 5% of class. 2100 SAT score. 600-700's on SAT IIs. Tons of community service. Member of a few clubs...leadership position in a couple. Research at a lab. Internship. No sports. Few school/local awards.</p>
<p>Person C: 3.9 unweighted GPA. Top 3%. 2200 SAT score. 600-700's on SAT IIs. Some community service, couple of clubs, but main involvement is in drama. Part-time job in store at the mall. Couple of school awards...NHS, Honor Roll, etc.</p>
<p>Based on this information given (and assuming the essays and recs will be all good) who do you think has the best shot of getting in? I'm just curious as to see your opinions. Also, is it true that a school will generally only pick one student per school?</p>
<p>The one with the best essays. Or, more realistically, the one who leaves the best impression on the admissions officer, which could depend on anything from the officer's mood to whether or not s/he has just reviewed a similar candidate. The differences are marginal. </p>
<p>Also, Person B's research/internship will give her an edge.</p>
<p>Some, but not all, colleges have regional admissions officers in order to keep an eye out for geographic diversity. The effect is marginal, I would think, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>I say this, not because you are not academically qualified, but because there will be a lot of students applying this year and it will be necessary to stand out. I know a lovely young woman who applied RD last year. Even though it was a school she loved, she did not apply early because she wanted to keep her options open. She had stats and activities beyond what you have listed and took the most compeititve schedule in a rigorous and geographically desirable magnet IB program. She was waitlisted. In the end, she probably had a shot because she made it onto the short waitlist--but, by then, she had already emotionally moved on. She ended up at a good school, although one not really on her radar at the start. JHU is a small school. It gets a lot of applicants.</p>
<p>In short, I would worry less about how competitive you are with other students from your school and think more about what school is right for you and how you can demonstrate the rightness of that fit through your application process.</p>
<p>Not to hijack, but do you think it is advantageous for me in applying to JHU to be involved in a year-long internship with a professor there? I mean, by the time my apps are in, it will only have been about two and a half months and I won't have, like, published a paper or anything...</p>
<p>In my opinion, I would probably pick girl B...although, I seriously think all three have equal chance (I'd pick B if I were adcom...but only b/c I'm also a student involved in much community service, so don't listen to me :P) But all of you have practically the same SAT, same GPA...it'll really come down to essays and ECs. Good luck!</p>
<p>From what you've stated I'd say person B. But it all depends (as everyone has said) on essays, interviews, even race. There are a lot more factors so...guess you'll just have to wait and see. And cross your fingers!</p>
<p>I'd say C because her GPA is still very good while having a better SAT score. Are you planning to reveal which person you are? i hope you're person C or B!</p>