<p>Hey guys,
I have 35 composite on ACT (34 English, 36 Math, 35 Reading, 36 Math, 8 essay).
SAT Physics 800, SAT Math II 800,
Took SAT in sophomore, got 1910 (570 writing, 600 reading 740 math, retook it and I am getting scores on Oct 28).
Took three AP courses (Physics B, Psych, Calc AB) 5's on all tests.
Currently taking Physics C, Comp Sci and Spanish V AP courses with Multivariable Calc.
4.06 GPA currently, but consistently had A's and A-'s with one B+ in freshman year.</p>
<p>Ran winter and spring track freshman, spring in junior and planning winter and spring in senior. (sophomore year's credit was not given because of sprained ankle)
Math Honors Society
Did at least 5 clubs but NONE appear on transcript because of unpaid dues.
300+ volunteer hours in church</p>
<p>How good are my chances for (I am looking for Aerospace Engineering):
Princeton University
MIT
Stanford
Caltech
Cooper Union
Stevens University
Cornell
UMich - Ann Arbor</p>
<p>Good SAT scores but your ECs are standard for Princeton. The multivariable course in Calc looks good, so I would say that Princeton is a reach for you, as in you have a decent shot but you need super good essays and interview. </p>
<p>Aerospace engineering is a glorified mechanical engineering, so you’re putting yourself in a very competitive pool of applicants, but you have such high GPA and testing scores, so you seem to have passed the credentials necessary in those respective fields. However, since your clubs do not appear on the transcript, that might be a problem. Try to talk to your counselor, activities director, or someone to see if you can them paid now. I know one is to one’s own ECs, but I feel that it may be a bit lacking…? That’s just my perception though. If you make your ECs seem like things you spent quality time on them, you’ll be fine in that regard. Overall, you have a good chance at these schools, assuming your essays and ECs are at the very least decent. MIT and Caltech may be the high reaches on this list just because they specialize in engineering. (I know UMich- Ann Arbor, among a few others, is excellent at engineering, but I’ve always felt that MIT and Caltech are on a whole other level. Just my feeling, but I don’t know how many others would reciprocate that.) </p>
<p>Princeton – reach, even if applying EA
MIT – reach
Stanford – reach
Caltech – reach
Cooper Union – don’t really know much about this school, but probably a great shot
Stevens University – in
Cornell – low reach
UMich - Ann Arbor – in</p>
<p>Assuming the 4.06 GPA is weighted, that seems to be a little low for schools like Princeton, MIT, Stanford, and Caltech. Also, the 3 AP exams (while all 5’s) are not many. While it’s not something to beat yourself up about, the colleges may wonder why you never took the Calc BC exam if you’re taking multivariable ATM. You can get in to any of the schools I put as reach but they’re reaches for everyone except athletes so it really depends on your essays, legacy status (if any), recommendations, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks guys!! And do you have any information about the interviews? I was hoping to explain myself during the interview or at the very least straighten things out</p>
<p>I know Princeton tries to give all applicants an alumni interview if there’s someone available in one’s area. As far as I understand, interviews don’t have too much bearing on admission at most schools, unless you are super rude or are a serial killer or something like that. I’m not sure about that though. It would probably be better to do any key explaining in your essays and applications, in my opinion.</p>
<p>Princeton University
MIT
Stanford
Caltech
^
I think these four would be reaches simply because of how many other students they see with scores and grades like yours. You’d have to really put effort into the qualitative parts of your applications (essays, interview if you can get one), but I do think that you’d be a competitive applicant.
-Cornell’s engineering school is pretty competitive, so while it’s supposedly “easier” to get into than other Ivies, I think it would still be a reach.
-I don’t know much about the application process for Cooper Union, but I think it would be a good match school.
-Stevens University, UMich - Ann Arbor I don’t want to say would be safeties because they aren’t and shouldn’t be safeties for anyone as they’re GREAT schools. However, I do think you could get into both of them pretty easily.</p>
<p>to be honest I wouldn’t say 4.02 is a great weighted GPA. My GPA from just my FRESHMAN year was a 4.5 and I took two AP’s that year which is 2/3’s of your AP classes. You have a great shot at state universities but I don’t think the best schools in the US is a reasonable target. A friend of mine had a 4.7 GPA and had 5’s in more than 8 AP exams (even ones he didn’t take classes for), 2320 SAT, and had great ec’s. He was denied from all the Ivy League schools… He got a full scholarship to USC and he eventually transferred to Princeton but it just shows you how selective these schools are. </p>
<p>I guess it really depends on your personal circumstances. He was a Korean so it wasn’t really surprising or unique. If your Native American, latino, or black maybe it will work. </p>
<p>The only way anyone can attend Princeton is to be accepted as an incoming freshman. There’s no such thing as “transferring” to Princeton. That’s their policy.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! For my essay, I wrote about how I narrowly missed a Tsunami that struck India in 2004. Do you think that it is a unique essay, unique enough to stand out among 30,000 applicants?</p>
<p>I think you need very strong essays. Since your stats are average for applicants, and your EC’s are good, you need something to make you stand out. How does narrowly missing the tsunami relate to you and “your story” that can set you apart? Answering that is essential.</p>