<p>I'm a sophomore at a highly competitive school in New Jersey. I took the SAT II Math IC and IIC in middle school, and got a 770 and an 800 on them, respectively. I also took the
SAT I test in the 8th grade an got a 2200. Freshman year, I had one of the heaviest course-loads in my grade, taking Honors Precalculus, Honors Biology, and Honors Chemistry, while taking Honors wherever I could. However, I ended freshman year miserably, with a 3.51 UW/ 4.11 W. Being a glutton for punishment, I skipped AP Calculus BC over the summer, taking Honors Multivariable Calculus sophomore year, as well as AP Biology, Honors Physics, and a bunch of other Honors classes. I am probably going to get a B in AP Biology, and I might also get one in Honors Physics.
I am a tournament-level chess player, with a USCF rating of about 1520. I have been playing chess all my life. I received a gold medal at the NJ Science Olympiad state tournament. I was also part of the team that placed 1st there. I am an avid participant in my science and math clubs, having done well in Mandelbrot, AMC and PUMAC (Princeton University Math Competition). Is there anything at all that can be done? I project my GPA will be at around a 3.7 by the start of junior year. My weighted GPA will be much higher, though not outstanding. I would like to major in some area of the biological sciences.
What are the best colleges I have a legitimate chance at getting into?</p>
<p>Solid profile - although I don’t think the chess will help you much. You need to be titled FM/IM/GM to get any real advantage. Most kids at my school are 2000 USCF +.</p>
<p>It seems you hurt yourself grade-wise by taking on so many classes. There will be many kids applying with <em>slightly</em> lower classes, but who got an A/A+ in all of them, giving them a 4.0 (For example, I will graduate with 8 APs and all the honors classes I could take – but still a few less than you. I won’t be taking Calc BC until next year [senior year]. But because I took slightly easier classes but still the most challenging possible, I have been able to get mostly A+s with a few As. Aka an unweighted 4.0, weighted almost 4.9). It seems that you took the hardest classes TECHNICALLY possible, doing extra work during the summer and starting your test-taking early, rather than the hardest class load possible to fit into a regular school schedule. As such, you got some lower grades. You’ll be competing with kids who have 4.0 GPAs, the majority of which STILL don’t get into the Ivy League schools and their equivalents. You basically shot yourself in the foot.</p>
<p>Now that being said, you still have pretty impressive grades, and took many challenging classes. That will look good. You also have some good ECs, but you should probably add a few more if possible-- if you need to, do THAT this summer, rather than try to cram in even <em>more</em> classes.</p>
<p>Also, I’d suggest taking a somewhat easier load next year. It would be best to take as much as you can handle while still getting all As, hopefully A+s.</p>
<p>As for senior year, do the same. Don’t forget, colleges still get your first two quarter grades senior year, and use them for deciding. Also, although 2nd semester senior grades usually don’t count toward the decision-making process, if you don’t do as well as you presented on your past transcript, colleges could rescind their acceptances. You don’t want to get a C 2nd semester and get your acceptances taken away. So take it a little easier, and good luck.</p>
<p>Yes I agree about the chess thing…1520 is good to help boost your extra curriculars, but if you really want it to be a hook you’d have to get 2100+. Also you’re taking very hard classes for a sophomore, just try to keep getting those A’s. You’re looking like a good candidate for a for most ivies but it’s still hard to tell with those schools. For the math competitions, practice and try to get in the USAMO because that would look really good. You should also try the USABO.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys! I truly appreciate your input. I’m a little nervous about my GPA, though. Is that going to be a major problem, or can I compensate for it, realistically? I seriously doubt I’m going to be able to cure any major infectious diseases before college.</p>
<p>Like I said, take a course load next year that’s about 60-70% of the difficultly of what you were planning to do. You can probably increase your GPA a good bit, but not drastically. But a lot more than if you were to stick with your current schedule judging by the past. Good luck!</p>
<p>All I can say is …
HOLY **** you got a 2200 in 8th grade? Can I switch brains with you?
But one question, I heard any SAT’s taken before high school don’t count, does that mean you’re retaking it?</p>
<p>honestly, enjoy high school rather than piling up this crazy course work. take the usual amount of classes, get A’s in them, get good grades, and have fun. Itll hurt you rather than help to take more difficult classes and do badly in them rather than taking what most kids take and do well in them. youre probably insane and will get into a couple ivies (thoguh you have a better shot at MIT/caltech) but lighten up a bit because itll help you build character- something which they look for in applicants. I know four kids at around your level who were disappointed with where they got in (all 2350+ with crazy intellectual ecs). relax, enjoy high school, and youll have a better shot with straight A’s and characters than over working and burning out with no personality</p>
<p>Princeton Junction. Aka that little stop my debate team always almost misses (and did this year accidentally! lol) when we go to the Princeton Classic.</p>
<p>Neil, that’s not what he meant. And our debate team is very existent and is one of the best in the state. Our MUN team is the 3rd best in the nation. So don’t go talking trash about the humanities related clubs in our school. They are just as competent as our science related clubs.</p>
<p>Brandon, the debate team barely exists. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. Our math and science clubs are continuously ranked at the top. And dude, I didn’t even mention MUN at all in my previous comments. Why do you think my attack on debate extended to MUN?</p>
<p>It is important to do well in the classes. So taking the hardest classes doing badly does nt impress colleges as much as taking one less hard class and doing well in all those you are taking.</p>
<p>So if you take one less class in order to get 4.0, it is no big deal. If you take two additional hard classes and get 4 Bs because of that, it reflects very poorly.</p>