<p>Cool profile.</p>
<p>MIT is crazy hard to get into, even with higher scores, but I don’t know, if you demonstrate something cool to them to prove your innovativeness and skill, you may have a slightly better shot.</p>
<p>Unless you are in-state, DO NOT APPLY TO UC SCHOOLS OR MICHIGAN! They will sock you with a 50k per year or more price-tag. This is the reason I am doing a gap year now. I couldn’t afford Berkeley or Michigan, and they only offered peanuts for financial aid. My family had been saving for me to go to college since before I was born, we still couldn’t do it.</p>
<p>Nice activities, but make sure to get something else more chemical engineering-related and maybe some more service.</p>
<p>A private Kaplan course to prepare for SATs is expensive, but totally worth it. I improved my scores significantly, and they tailor the tutoring to suit your needs, so you don’t waste time and get the most of it. With a Kaplan tutor, you could improve nicely.</p>
<p>Born in Zambia, eh? What does that mean to you? How has it affected you? What can you teach the admissions committee about being Zambian-American, about Subsaharan Africa, and about being the child of immigrants? Compelling essay topics, friend. Just don’t count on compelling topics alone to help you. Make the essay shine, take it to a lot of people to help you, and send it in. </p>
<p>Interview as many places as possible. You sound fascinating and that is always a plus in interviews. Talking to an interviewer can crystallize for you your reasons for wanting to go to these schools. Showcase your life and why you want to study chemical engineering. </p>
<p>Pitt is pretty sweet. Glad you got in. Isn’t it harder to get into than Delaware and USC?</p>
<p>Harvard is tough. I got WL’d last year and was inspired to reapply this year by my admissions officer from last year. Nobody has a good chance there, but they look at so much and really stare deep into your character and way of thinking, so there are many factors they can consider. I can’t claim you’ll have a great shot of getting in there, but still go for it!</p>
<p>Best of luck, friend. Can you chance me? Mine is called Crossing My Fingers. I’d appreciate it. Thanks.</p>
<p>Peace.</p>