<p>No matter how excited I am about going to college, getting into the school itself is another matter. There are days when I get really hopeful but then it gets shot down because of my ridicuously low test scores (and I only say low because it doesn't even compare to the greatness of the scores that have been posted all over this site!) </p>
<p>So yes, I'm am going to make a "chance" plea, not really asking you guys what you think the chance is of me getting. Instead, I really need some suggestions as to how I could improve my standings and strengthen my app now that application time is near.</p>
<p>Applying to: Rice, Stanford, Johns Hopkins</p>
<p>Rank: 2/300
GPA: 4.79
Ethnicity: Asian
SAT I: 1930 (will take for the third time in October)
SAT II: Math II, Bio, Chem in November
APs: 4 in Bio, 3 in English Lang, English Lit, Chemistry, Env. Science</p>
<p>AP classes:
10th: Biology, Computer Science A, English Language
11th: Chemistry, Physics B, Environmental Science, US History, Calculus AB, English Literature
12th: Calculus BC, Statistics, Physics C, Computer Science AB, Music Theory</p>
<p>Honor classes: Ordinary Differential Equation, Anantomy & Physiology</p>
<p>Summer courses at a community college:
US Government - A
Economics - A</p>
<p>I have 100+ community service hours at local hospitals, club functions, and from tutoring children.</p>
<p>Activities/Awards:
- Math Club: 4 years; VP for 2 years
- Science Club: 4 years; VP of Outreach; Public Relations/Recruiter
- NHS: 3 years; VP in the 11th; President in the 12th
- Varsity Tennis: 2 years; Rank 2 in Doubles in district
- Manager of Boys Varsity Soccer Team: 2 years
- Pantex Science Bowl Competition: won 4th place team in region for 2 years
- Member of school's elite Sophisticated Ladies dedicated to giving back to community</p>
<p>I don't know how appealing that might seem, but if there's one thing that sets me apart from other applicants is be my passion for journalism (even if I plan to major in Molecular Sciences!). For the past three years, I have been the Editor-in-Chief of my school's newspaper. If you are a Texan, you might know about the UIL Academic competitions held annually. Since freshman year, I have been actively participating in these journalism competitions which include Headline, News, Editorial, and Feature Writing. I have won many awards each year and have slowly progressed to a higher level each year (last year I went to State!) I am really hoping this this would make my application somewhat stand out if I place extra emphasis on it.</p>
<p>Also, I hope I also stand out when it comes to diversity. I was born in Texas but my parents left me in the care of my grandparents in China when I was two months old so they could settle here. I didn't really meet them until I came back to Texas when I was three years old. My parents have a small restaurant in which I have been literally helping out at since I was three. It has become my first home because it is where I spend all my time after school and on weekends until the wee hours of the night, helping my parents clean up. In a way this has somewhat limited the activities I have participated in as well as school, but nonetheless, I have done my best to apply myself in every situation regardless of the boundaries. I guess what I'm trying to say is, where I can talk about this situation on my application? And is it something I could add to the volunteer section or is it something for an essay or both?</p>
<p>I really need to strengthen the way I present ME but I don't know where to start. All in all, what do you think?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>(wow that was long! :])</p>