A junior with strong academics but practically non-existent ECs - help?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Throughout high school I've been so focused on academics that I've completely neglected ECs, which I used to be very involved in, and at this point at the end of my junior year, I'm really starting to freak out. I regret it so much, and I wish I could convey that to schools, that I would participate once I got to college because I want to be better, but I have a feeling that's not going to cut it. So I want to know which of these schools - some of which I'm pretty sure are huge reaches, some of which I'm probably kidding myself even thinking about - don't put as much emphasis on ECs, I suppose, and which I have a chance of getting into.</p>

<p>COLLEGES:
Probable schools:
University of Central Florida
Florida State University
University of Florida</p>

<p>Dream schools:
Brown University
Emory University
Columbia University
Wellesley College
Stanford University
Massachussetts Institute of Technology
New York University
University of Chicago</p>

<p>(Can I get some suggestions of some schools that fall between the spectrum of mundane (well, IMO) and practically unattainable?)</p>

<p>GENERAL INFO:
Year: Junior
Age: 15 (skipped 1st grade)
Race: Hispanic (Puerto Rican), Middle Eastern (Syrian)
School: Public; one of the top schools in the country (think top 10)
Class rank: N/A. I'm at least in the top quarter, I'd predict, but my school is so competitive class rank is very misleading.
Intended major: Undecided
I am not planning on applying for need-based financial aid, as my parents make enough money that I probably won't get anything (though I'm going to see about merit-based aid), if this affects anything.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS:
Unweighted GPA: 3.89
Weighted GPA: 4.67
Honors: All courses I've taken save Band and Creative Writing freshman/sophomore year have been at least honors.
Completed APs: AP World History (4)
Junior Schedule (all As):
-Anatomy and Physiology Hon
-Precalculus Hon
-American History Hon
-AP Psychology
-AP Language and Composition
-AP Chemistry
Senior Schedule:
-American Gov (either Hon or AP, haven't decided) (semester)
-Chemistry II
-AP Macroeconomics (semester)
-AP Physics B
-AP Literature and Composition
-AP Calculus BC
-Externship - I plan on spending one semester interning at the local hospital; I have yet to decide what I'll be doing second semester, but this will add up to about 150-250 hours of work, depending.</p>

<p>TEST SCORES:
PSAT: 195 (9th), 212 (10th), 216 (11th). Will probably be a NMF - a semi finalist at the very least.
SAT I: 2310 (in one sitting, and was also higher than my last score in all categories)
-Reading: 790
-Math: 720
-Writing: 800
SAT II: Am taking these next month; signed up for Chemistry, Math II, and Literature; expecting at least in the 700s, and will retake in October if necessary.
ACT: 35</p>

<p>COMMUNITY SERVICE:
~30 hours at the public library working with kids
~130 hours at the local hospital; may return in the summer or fall
I am planning on volunteering for at least an additional 50 hours before apps go out.</p>

<p>WORK EXPERIENCE:
None, as of yet, though I did get some retail experience when volunteering; I am definitely seriously considering getting a job once I get my license, but it may be too much to juggle with externship as well - how much does this factor in?</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULARS:
I have played the piano for nearly 11 years, and in the five years I have performed at the Music Federation's festival, I have received Superior rating (the highest rank). At one point I went to states and won first place in a duet, but that was 7th grade, so I don't think it counts. :)
I also play the flute, and have for 6 years.
Honors societies: NJHS (9-10), NHS (11)(will have at least 30 community service hours for this), Spanish Honors Society (10-11), Mu Alpha Theta (11), and so forth. No awards or leadership positions, which is where the issue is, I'm afraid.
Clubs: Health Care Careers Club (9-11) - is active in our area, meets once a month for 2 hours at the hospital and there's a lecture and demonstrations by different physicians. I have not completely commited to pre-med, though, so I'm not sure this matters much. Again, no leadership positions....</p>

<p>OTHER:
Reccomendations: Will be strong.
Essays: I'm a strong writer that can spin a story, so these will probably be fine as well. I'll probably get my passion for music in there somewhere - is that relevant if it's not my career goal? I'm really clueless about these things. Which is why I'm here asking.</p>

2

<p>The lack of leadership positions will surely hurt you, but acceptance to at least one of your dream schools is still realistic.</p>

3

<p>Yes, I think you have a good shot at Emory, NYU, and the University of Chicago. State University honors programs are also a good choice for you.</p>

4

<p>With the Hispanic status, I would not be surprised to see you get into some of the more selective schools on your list.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the replies! Glad to hear about Emory being a reasonable option, as it is one of my absolute top choices right now. And yeah, I’ll be milking the Hispanic thing for all it’s worth. </p>

<p>Could I possibly get the reach/match/safety evaluation? I’d like the cold hard truth.</p>

6

<p>Brown University low reach
Emory University match
Columbia University low reach
Wellesley College match
Stanford University low reach
Massachussetts Institute of Technology low reach
New York University safety
University of Chicago reach</p>

<p>Most of the schools you indicated really look at academics along with ECs. And event hen, most academically challenged students go far and beyond the normal HS courses and go into research with a fellow local Professor or take classes or go into summer programs of their interest.</p>

<p>Brown really looks into the student academically but also outside of it. The community service at the local hospital may help, but just volunteering isn’t enough.</p>

<p>Stanford is also like that. One of the previous valedictorian of my school had gotten a full ride to Stanford with these stats:</p>

<p>2300 SAT
800s SATII
Scored 5s in all AP classes, Bio, Chem, Cal AB/BC, Lit, and Language.
6 years of band, including middle school (it’s a program)
research at our local hospital on cell biology
Insanely written Essays that our Lit teacher thought was “publishable”</p>

<p>This is just my opinion, could be wrong though :D.</p>

7

<p>I generally agree with ChristianWu. Although, I feel that Stanford and MIT should be considered reaches.</p>

8

<p>Thanks again for the input! It’s actually better than I expected, I’m horribly nervous. I’ve been thinking about applying to Brown ED depending on how my college visits go this summer, would that increase my chances enough to be worth committing to one school, provided I get lucky and don’t get deferred/rejected?</p>