<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I’m a little bit concerned about my future as it pertains to colleges, so I guess I’d just like to ask for some reassurance, or criticism otherwise, about what I should/need to do or should have done (oh well! haha). Chance me 
I’m not much of an overachiever nor do I have very much (hardly any) extracurriculars. Now before I hear anything about how I’m never going to make it in, if it’ll prevent any flaming, this is a reach school. </p>
<p>I’m also looking to apply to Vassar, Hamilton, Haverford, Bowdoin, Amherst, & Brown. Yes, I know, I’m nothing spectacular, but I’m comfortable with U of Pitt as my safety school, so I’m just going to apply to reaches as a preliminary. </p>
<p>Academic Info:
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
Weighted GPA: 4.7
SAT: CR-640, M-650, W-710 @ 2000 10 on Essay
SAT: CR-700, M-630 (ouch!), W-720 @ 2050 (Superscore 2070) 11 on Essay
ACT: M-30, E-30, R-35, S-31 @ 32. 11 on Essay, for a 31 compound English/Writing</p>
<p>I would say I’ve taken a fairly rigorous course load. Mt. Lebanon High School doesn’t rank. </p>
<p>-I’ve taken all Honors English classes and always finished with a B. Will take AP Lang & Comp next year.</p>
<p>-I will have taken 4 years of French (Honors & AP 11th & 12th grade respectively) and always finished with an A. Ranked on National French Exam of this year (maybe last year’s too? I don’t remember). I took Spanish 1 freshman year and finished at the top of the class. One percentile away from getting something or other on the National Spanish Exam (better than 74 percent of takers or something?)</p>
<p>-I have received A’s in (H) Chem, (H) Bio, AP Environmental Geoscience, & (H) Organic Chem. I got a B & a 4 in AP Chem. I’m expecting a 5 in APEGS. I will be taking AP Bio & AP Physics C: Mechanics next year. </p>
<p>-I’ve taken all Honors math since freshman year, and took an advanced precalc class this year (best class ever!). Always received A’s. I’ll be taking APBC next year.</p>
<p>-Basic social studies, haha. I don’t know what happened, I’ve always liked history but didn’t step up to take APUSH or anything. Always A’s in the basic classes. I’m only taking one semester of econ next year. </p>
<p>Extracurriculars…hmmm
Well…
I did fencing as a freshman. Track 400m as a sophomore. Participated extensively in “Existentialist Club” junior year; I’m best friends with the founders. That’s about it, haha. I’ve volunteered every-year at Mt. Lebanon Earth day at which I’ve helped a neighbor/family friend teach about his job? We make rust tye-dye He extracts Iron (II, III) oxide from acid mine drainage in the areas around here from abandoned iron mines through holding ponds. We learned about the value of wetlands and environmentally-friendly rehabilitation practices in APEGS this year. Yay.</p>
<p>I’ve volunteered a little bit (I’m thinking maybe at the most 50 hours?) helping tutor ESL kids at my local elementary school and general tutoring at my middle school. I’ve participated in Science Bowl since Sophomore year. I’m going to get Mr. Jackson (the boss Adv. precalc teacher) and my bio teacher (with whom I’ve talked about some very bizarre, and, yes I’ll say it, advanced biology concepts) to write me recommendations, along with my EMT instructor. </p>
<p>I’m a certified EMT-B, and volunteered this year in that capacity in the Pittsburgh Marathon. </p>
<p>That’s about it I think. </p>
<p>What else do people use for admissions? I’m Chinese, love science, am fairly adept at learning languages, on-par with most low-end advanced students at math in school, and have kept over a hundred species of neotropical plants (personal hobby. Wait, what do I even do besides that? haha) </p>
<p>Ahh, thanks for making me (or not) feel better by reading. And replying, that would be nice too. Sorry for making you guys read through this long list mmmm</p>
<p>Andy</p>
<p>P.S.
And hey, if you’re feeling extra generous, you might as well chance me with the other schools I’ve said I would apply to!</p>
<p>Feel free to ask for more information that might be necessary to determine a chance. I may have given out too much personal info already though! haha oh well</p>