I have a GPA unweighted of 3.89 and an SAT score of 1510. Some of my extracurriculars include robotics (qualified for international competition), play guitar and alto/tenor saxophone, national level tennis player, tennis captain for Varsity team, and cancer research. Because my family is originally from India, I was able to share my prostate and ovarian cancer research to about hundred people in a local branch of the Indian Medical Association. They recognized me in the news paper and on television, and I will continue to go to India occassionally to sharemy knowledge and volunteer.
I understand that I may not have that many activities, but I do believe that I am a leaderin what I do, and that my passions outside of academics are in-depth. Based off of the information I have given, are my chances of ivy league admission or other top school admissions higher? What other things could I add or explore to enrich my application?
Wow, your EC’s are splendid! However, your SAT scores and GPA are a bit low considering the fact that you want to apply to an Ivy league school. Remember, there are bound to be people who are better than you or as good as you whom are applying to these very same schools.
Like everyone, unless you’re super rich, your chances are at around 8% or 10%.
I don’t know anyone have the crystal ball, but ur ECs sound quite impressive, if u r nationally ranked tennis player, I guess u could go the recruited athletes route and use it as a hook for ivies. Check on threads on recruited athletes on cc.
As regards to ur cancer research, I am not sure ur presentation in India is that meaningful if u don’t have a publication of peer-reviewed paper, but I could be totally wrong here since people might not judge high schoolers using that kind of standards.
Good luck.
Unless you are a recruited athlete, I would say you aren’t a tremendous standout at the very top schools compared to their other applicants. You may get still get in, of course.
Ivies are looking for leadership in your ECs. “Did this person make an impact? Will they be remembered at their HS? Can I picture seeing this person’s name in the Times or Journal 20 years from now?”
^ not quite. This has little to do with how your hs remembers you and more to do with what the college sees you contributing there, academically and other. Plus, adcoms at top colleges tend to focus on the four years, not your later future.
OP, it will depend on what comes across in your application, how you present yourself. It’s more than “passions” or some high points on your resume.
What year are you? How do you contribute now in your local community?
Sorry, I’m not sure if these were rhetorical, but I am currently a junior in high school. In my community, I recently applied for a philanthropy project and I obtained a grant to build birdhouses outside my local school to increase wildlife in the area. I also have 100+ service hours by serving in a center for education for underprivileged kids. I also have published a paper for my cancer research and am a Siemen’s regional semifinalist, and I am a scholar of distinction for my state. There may be some other things as well.