Acceptance Chances at Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Vanderbilt or NYU??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey all! I was wondering how realistic it would be for me to get into JHU, Cornell, Vanderbilt, or NYU. I always have my backups at CU Boulder and the University of Washington. My test scores and GPA are strong, but my ECs are weaker by comparison. Thoughts?

Test Scores:
SAT: 1560 (Reading:780, Math: 780)
ACT: 33
AP Scores:
AP Environmental Science: 5
AP Human Geography: 5
AP US History: 5
AP Language and Composition: 5
AP World History: 5
AP Biology: 4

GPA:
Weighted: 4.7 Rank: (3/248)
Unweighted: 3.9 Rank: (4/248)

Hopeful Major:
Biochemistry or Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and a double major in Philosophy

Extracurriculars:
Senior Patrol Leader/Junior Assistant Scoutmaster of my Boy Scout Troop
Eagle Scout Rank (250 hours of service)
100 Hours of intern hours at local hospital (to be completed)
4 years of marching band playing trumpet/bass drum
2 years of concert band on trumpet
5 years teaching piano lessons
Founded computer science club at school
110 hours of community service at curriculum-based summer camp (taught geology)
National Honor Society Member
Key Club Member
Rotary Student Exchange Program - Italy
Busser at local restaurant

2

You have a great resume, and I think it’s realistic to think you have a shot at any of these schools. Make your essays interesting, genuine, and memorable. Best of luck!

3

Stats: Amazing job. You probably need to have sat subject scores for engineering.
ECs: Above average. However, I don’t see anything outstanding that would help for some of the harder schools like JHU which are known for their bio programs. Volunteering at a hospital is decent but without any research experience or any STEM awards like USABO or Siemen’s, this may hurt you.

Overall:
NYU: Match
Rest: Reach

4

Thank you! It’s nice to put my expectations into perspective here. Would it be better to emphasize a potential philosophy major in my application? My struggle with depression and subsequent discovery of philosophy is what my college essay is about, after all. Thanks!