So as not to mislead, there was a typo above. Only 2% AA, not 25.
What ppl are telling you us this: we know one Intel finalist. He got into NO top 20 schools. He was a legacy where he did get in…
Try DECA. If you are a rising senior, it is too late to start these things.
Thanks HRSMom: DNA tested. 96% asian, 2% white, 2% african and is planning on writing “mixed race”
Seriously, UndergradNot, the best thing you could do for yourself right now is get out of your own way. You have a strong academic record and strong scores but the path you seem to be contemplating reeks of desperation, and that’s not an attractive trait. Claiming to be bi-racial, trying to cram a random 500 hours of community service into the next 6 months, or entering every contest available to you is not going to get you into a top school. Here’s what may: do some deep thinking about who you are and what you want out of college and life in general. What fires you up? What do you like to do in your off time?
The most compelling candidates have a story to tell. What’s your story? By this I don’t mean some manufactured idea of what you think an admissions officer wants (“As I approached the village filled with poor children I…”) I mean what’s at the center of who you are?
Your academic credentials will be enough to qualify you for some amazing schools. Don’t mess it up by trying to be someone you’re not.
For very selective schools, once a level of academic excellence is perceived, the ones who progress are those who portray authenticity and likability and a genuine desire to help others – as discussed in personal statements and teacher recs. You can check off a multitude of boxes – but if you come across as mercenary, you’ll be bypassed like a pothole on I-95. I fully concur with @Sue22 's advice.
This is college confidential, not an English paper. I could be much more formal, but it would be unfitting for such an causal environment.
@UndergradNot, you have several knowledgeable adults here taking time out of their day to sincerely try to help you. This is a great opportunity to practice showing the respect and humility that will be needed to gain entrance into the type of college you seek.
@annana You’re making it sound WAY harder than it actually is. One year of dedicated and focused practice can easily get you into AMO. One or two more years can land you a spot in MOP. (When I say dedicated I really mean dedicated).
As a finance professional, here are a few finance-oriented things I would notice on a high schooler’s resume: a good summer job with some specific lessons learned, writing the business plan for the Robotics Club, starting and running an investment club, raising money and distributing it effectively for a cause in your community. Many of these are multi-year activities. If you were in one of the Olympiad finals, great, but doesn’t show interest in finance. Also, my son uncovered a math/econ/modeling contest put on by Moody’s (Google it) that was very close to cases in my top 3 MBA program. BTW, all the above are things done by my son or his friends, all of whom are going to awesome colleges.
@APromotionalName OP also wants to do 500 hours of volunteering and apply to 27 colleges in this year, so I doubt he/she has time.
Besides, according to your posts, you haven’t been to USAMO… I know very smart kids who have been taking the AMC since they were in 4th grade and they still haven’t made it to USAMO yet. And they put a significant amount of time into math.
Well, OP, you have certainly written a post which has lead to a causal environment. It’s causing me to give you more advice: in addition to winning lots of competitions and doing 500 hours of volunteer work, be sure to write a killer essay. Perhaps it could be about discovering your true racial composition, and how you are struggling with the idea of changing your name to fit your new identity.