<p>Asian Male from Oregon
Parents make less than $50000 a year. They own 2 delis.
Definitely need financial aid
Taken a rigorous schedule (15 AP's by the time I graduate)
Top 5% out of ~700 kids
GPA: 3.89 UW, 4.0342 W (freshman and soph)
SAT: N/A, am studying right now and am confident that I'll get 2200+
SAT II: Biology M-710 (sophomore year), going to take US History and Math II next year
AP's taken: Biology (4) and US Government (4)
Next year's schedule:
AP Calculus AB
AP US History
AP English Lang
AP Economics (Micro and Macro)
AP Chemistry
AP Psychology
Spanish 4</p>
<p>Senior Schedule:
AP Calculus BC
AP Envio Science
AP English Lit
AP Stats
AP Physics
AP Spanish
AP Euro History</p>
<p>EC's:
1. Speech and Debate Team (9,10, definitely 11)
-Lincoln Douglass Debate
-Radio
-Extemporaneous Speaking
-Public Forum Debate
-A few awards at minor tournaments, none at national or state level yet
-Very dedicated, haven't missed a practice :D
-Spend about 2 hours at practice every week but many hours at home working on my cases and doing individual fundraising
2. We the People Competition (11, definitely 12)
-My friend and I are going to start this team, already have it setup with the gov teacher.
3. Volunteering at the Salvation Army: 100 + hours during the summer.
4. ISEF project (11, most likely 12 b/c it seems fun)
-Me and my friends are going to do an ISEF project, internship next summer with OHSU already planned (8 hours a weekday all next summer so a lot of time will be dedicated to this especially)
5. Junior Statesmen of America (11, definitely 12 if it's still available)
-I'm helping a friend of mine start this club, so I'll probably hold a leadership position.
6. Academic Decathlon (11)
-Now this is the only tentative EC that I know of because I might not be participating but I will be helping the team and such. I might be treasurer. Who knows?...
7. Research Assistance with a Political Science professor at PSU (summer before 11th grade)
-I'm helping him write his publication on the global arms trade by researching and organizing his database on the arms trade
-He went to Yale if that's any consolation
8. Science Bowl (11, maybe 12)
-Joining this because my friends do it. I'm not really going to be that into it lol but then again, who knows?</p>
<p>I plan on applying to University of Chicago, Georgetown, University of Notre Dame, MIT, and Boston College through EA. These aren't the "Top-tier" schools (cept MIT), so maybe answers will be a little more definite?</p>
<p>I feel that you are on the right track for all the schools you listed. You are taking all of the right classes and are involved in your school. The only thing I would suggest is to work on getting an award or recognition at a higher level(I realize this is easier said than done). Other than that, work on getting a high sat score and maybe get involved in a sport if you have time. If you manage to get mostly a’s in your ap classes you might be able to look at more prestigious colleges.</p>
<p>Are you sure you’re confident about getting a 2200? I was like that and I ended up getting a 2030, lower than my PSAT score.
Anyways, you look good so far. I’d cut down on some of the EC’s and try to focus on one or two mainly.</p>
<p>I don’t know as much about the schools you listed, but for MIT, you should probably do more math/science-related stuff. They really seem to care about research competitions, math contests, etc. Academic Decathlon, Science Bowl, and the research should help you though. Study for the AMC and AIME; I’ve heard MIT (or at least Caltech, can’t remember which), specifically asks for those and use them to weed out people who don’t even attempt math. Maybe try MIT EA also for a better chance (unless BC’s is single-choice).</p>
<p>No one says anything about MIT? MIT- Super super reach. unless all the other asians in the US is suddenly sent into concentration camps, in which case affirmative action would work with you, i dont think you’d get in.
Test scores a little weak (especially the SAT 2 Bio).</p>
<p>Your EC is pretty weak. No awards (regionals dont count). Here comes the barrage of hate…
U of C-Reach
Georgetown-Reach
Notre- High match (although if you say your catholic…)
Boston College for presumably business or law? - low reach</p>
<p>EC is really subpar. I mean 100 hours of service… seriously?!! At various places!!! Even worse! some schools force their kids to volunteer through high school. My friends and I have over 700 hours of service.</p>
<p>Boston College over Notre Dame? I appreciate the response but your credentials are lackluster. I only volunteered at one place and it’s only 100 because I can’t continue next summer. I only put MIT down because it’s part of the same Early Action plan. Thanks for your “barrage of hate.”</p>
<p>Work on improving the standardized test scores (SAT IIs), take the SAT and get 2300+ (since you asian haha), make sure you get 5s on all the APs, that’ll look might impressive. Also, top 5% out of 700 is a little bit on the low side in this area, considering some of the schools you’re looking at (I’m referring to UChicago and MIT, I’m not sure about the others) and that you’re asian (very frankly haha). Definetely keep the grades up, and as people have already said, stay involved in your ECs for the rest of high school, and try winning a few noteworthy competitions. </p>
<p>First, in response to your thread title, always have confidence. Clearly you care about school and preform well, keep up your good grades. I think your ECs look good, try to show passion about a particular thing in specific. Other than that, study for your SATs, do well, and come back end of jr year with scores and a more accurate GPA. Good luck! (I’m sure you’ll do well!)</p>