<p>Acceptance rates this year are at all-time lows in many top schools. Do you think this is a sign that next year will bring unusually high acceptance rates? I was actually shocked to learn this because at least like 10-12 people from my school got into UCLA/Berkeley, and our school isn't particularly good. Also this year's class is pretty weak too, only 2 REALLY smart people (one currently on wait list for Harvard because he had no ECs, the other decided to go to Cal-Poly Pomona for some reason). The class below this one, however (my class), is like ridiculously good. I don't think we have anyone as smart as the Harvard wait list guy (who I met in Art last year-a class we both got B's in lol), but our top 10-20 are much better than this year's class overall. So I have had phases of reassurance and discouragement with all this in mind, and was wondering if any of you had some insight into this. I'm probably going to major in Physics, so the top 3 schools I'm looking at are (in order): MIT, CalTech, Berkeley. I also don't think I'm in any way qualified for these though, maybe you guys can help me with that too.
GPA: 3.6ish unweighted, (3.8ish if you don't count freshman year)
After next year I'll have 8 APs out of like 14 that our school offers.
AP Physics B
AP Physics C
AP US History
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus BC
AP English Language
AP English Literature
AP Gov/Econ
My SAT is unknown as of now, but I've scored above 2300 on my last 3 practice tests. I'm taking it in June, and I kind of feel like I need a 2400 to have a chance. Or that a 2400 will lock up a spot in Berkeley, depending on how I feel when I'm pondering my future. Most recent practice score was 2370 (800/800/770)
PSAT 230 (70/80/80)
I'll have 3 years of varsity tennis next year
I've volunteered at a tennis academy coaching beginners on weekends for the last year</p>
<p>I guess this is pretty unimpressive. If I had to defend it, I would say that I literally have never studied for anything outside of school, never felt the need to pander to colleges' desires by piling on EC's, and never worked hard in general unless I was genuinely interested in my work (Physics). So I guess that makes me seem like a pretty detestable/arrogant character, and obviously I won't say that in an interview or discuss it in my essay. I am pretty passionate about Physics though, and I've been on MITs courseware site studying up on higher-level physics for a little while now, so I guess that looks pretty good...</p>
<p>Also, I've heard that adversity comes into play a lot with these, as well as race (I have two friends who got into Stanford out of affirmative action lol). Would mentioning that I'm 25% Puerto Rican help? My mom was actually born there, and so was her mom...I don't look Puerto Rican at all though, in fact I'm like extremely pale. Also when I was in 7th grade my dad was arrested for DUI and possession of cocaine/apparatus (and "not a beginner's kit" according to the police officer), and there were a few instances of child abuse, though I honestly wouldn't consider it traumatic. He was also selling his Vicodin from his knee surgery or something, but that's irrelevant. Would bringing something like that up help my chances at all?
I know that probably sounds horrible, but it was a pretty major event in my life, and sort of sparked a snowball effect that ended last year when my parents finally divorced. I guess it has been pretty tumultuous...And with the competition so high, it is almost necessary to exploit every potential advantage.
Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated, please give your honest opinions/thoughts :)
Thank you</p>