Chance A Meek Young Hopeful? Will Chance Back.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>So, I am currently a sophomore. And I know; it’s a bit early to be posting here, but I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions or comments for me. My dream school would be UPenn or Cornell; maybe even Yale (crosses fingers). Also, Boston University. So – what do you guys think? Do I have a shot? </p>

<p>Misc.</p>

<p>• Sex: F
• Race: Asian [I know, right? –50 college points.]
• Legacy: no
• First-Gen College Student : no
• Parents’ Income - ~120,000
• Hooks – nope. As you can see, I’ve pretty much got all the anti-hooks. Except I’m a bit younger than usual, but I’ll explain that later.
• Focus – “Area of Expertise” that I wish I had – would be Biology, specifically in the Neuroscience/Genetics area.
• Chance me (vaguely) for – UPenn, Cornell, Yale, Boston University, UChicago</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<p>• 2370 on the SATs (800 M, 800 CR, 770 W)
• 232 on the PSATs as a Sophomore. Will take again next year – hoping to qual. for merit.
• Taking 3 SAT IIs in June</p>

<p>o Math II – will probably get >750
o Chemistry – will probably get >720
o Biology E/M – will probably get >750</p>

<p>• Extremely competitive, small school – 61 people in class. Ranked in the top 10%, possibly top 5%
o GPA U/W = 3.9; W = 4.6</p>

<p>• 9th Grade</p>

<p>o Honors Algebra II & Trigonometry – A
o Honors Geometry – A+
o CP Biology [Our school didn’t offer honors.] – A
o CP Physics [Again, no honors offered] – A
o CP Chemistry [Ditto] – A+
o Honors Java (Computer Science) – A+
o Honors English – A+
o Honors World Literature – A</p>

<p>• 10th grade (so far)</p>

<p>o Advanced [the highest math level available] Precalculus with intro to Calc. – A+
o CAD/CAM – A+
o Honors ELA/World Literature – A+
o Honors Chemistry – A+
o AP Biology – A
o AP European History – A+</p>

<p>• Planned Junior courses</p>

<p>o AP Chemistry
o AP Literature and Composition
o Honors Physics
o AP BC Calc
o Either AP or Honors US History; haven’t decided
o Either AP or Spanish 4</p>

<p>Extracurriculars - This is everything SO FAR. Naturally, the longest anything is...is two years. Most of these things I plan on continuing, though. I find I've grown quite attached.</p>

<p>• Speech and Debate – 2 years
o Captain – 1 year
• Math Team – 1 year
o Selected for the school team for MAML States Competition (Haven’t actually competed…hope it goes well.)
• Newspaper – 1 year
o Editor – 1 Year
• Swim Team – 1 Year
• Varsity Track & Field – 2 Years
• Piano – 10 Years
• Science Club – 2 Years
o Student Captain – 1 Year
• Chinese School – 10 Years
o TA’d at a Senior English class – 1 Year
o Taught Senior English class – 1 Years
• Peer Tutoring – 1 Year
• National Honor Society – 1 Year
• Community Service – Plan to have around 300 by the time I graduate.
Awards
• 4 Writer of the Month certificates – Schoolwide award
• 5 National Forensics League (Speech & Debate) trophies; state-wide competitions
• Poetry has been published
• 1st place at MMTA (Massachusetts Music Teacher’s Association - Piano) Judged Festivals ’09
• Participated in the State Piano Competition for two years
• 5th place and 7th place in two events at Regional Science Olympiad
• If I do well on APs, AP Scholar with Distinction </p>

<p>Summer & Work Experience</p>

<p>• Student leader in VBS (Vacation Bible School) @ my Church
• This summer, participating in the Johns Hopkins Genetics program.
• Then working (researching, observing) at UMass Memorial Hospital
• Question: I skipped two grades, so I won’t be turning sixteen until the summer before my freshman year of college. As a result, I can’t exactly hold a job. I was wondering whether colleges will understand this, or am I basically screwed? Or do I have any other options for jobs?</p>

<p>I'll chance back if you take the time to chance me :)</p>

2

<p>I’m just glad I’m not applying the same year as you. Jesus God. You really should be in almost anywhere, considering the fact that you skipped 2 grades. I’m sure schools will understand your lack of a job if you do something productive with your summers.</p>

3

<p>Jesus. If you keep these stats, you’re a good match for every school but Yale, which is a reach for everyone but not much of a reach for you.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/869696-am-i-doing-everything-right.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/869696-am-i-doing-everything-right.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

4

<p>Well good job so far , lol
You’re on the right track.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/882409-my-chances-zero-none-top-school.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/882409-my-chances-zero-none-top-school.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>Do you guys think my EC’s are a bit lacking? That’s probably the biggest concern for me, right now.</p>

<p>Thanks, though, for replying :)</p>

6

<p>Wow, insanely good academics for only being a sophomore. You’ll get in to the majority of your schools, even the ivies if you keep things up. Try to broaden your ecs and find a hook</p>

7

<p>i would say yoiur in everywhere with those numbers make sure your essays rock and maybe a few more ECS but with a little luck (which is really all it will come down to) I would say you could get in at every single one of those</p>

8

<p>wow. you are solid with standard tests. I mean, robust. Also, your grades look freakin good.
Even though you are an asian, I think you have a greater chance than any applicant in any colleges on Earth.</p>

9

<p>Yeah…you are def on right track.
Your school must be really competitive if you have all A/A+'s and still only top 5/10%
SAT Score is excellent
EC’s are also very good
Id say it would just come down to the essays and recs, but I am assuming these will also be excellent based on the rest of your application</p>

<p>As far as the grade-skipping question goes, I also skipped a grade (not 2) and so I was also wondering about that job question and people told me that colleges just want to see you are trying your best at getting work/job but this will not in anyway hurt you if you don’t have one. Make sure to explain this to colleges when you apply though. </p>

<p>Chance back, not nearly as impressive as yours but…here it is </p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/880548-ivies-top-public-colleges-chance-me-ill-chance-back-i-play-ping-pong-d.html#post1064333461[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/880548-ivies-top-public-colleges-chance-me-ill-chance-back-i-play-ping-pong-d.html#post1064333461&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>you need a hook-- otherwise those ecs dont really do it</p>

11

<p>Good God.
The way you’re going, you’re basically a match for all of them. Work on your ECs and try to find a hook.
Other than that, i doubt being Asian will have much effect seeing how much other stuff you’ve done.
Thanks for the chance!</p>

12

<p>Dude you’re awesome.</p>

<p>Your biggest focus should be a) finding teachers to write incredible recs and b) whittling your ECs. Your accomplishment in a wide variety of activities is impressive, but I imagine if you really focus your efforts in 1-3 areas, you’d have some national level achievement on your hands. If that means quitting fairly useless things like TA-ing, so be it. Put your energies into math or debate or writing–whatever.</p>

13

<p>Looks like you should be in at anywhere (despite being Asian with 10+ years piano, haha) unless the college protects its yield by rejecting people like you. Obviously with the HYPS caliber its always a chance thing but yours like a lot bigger than most others. </p>

<p>I agree with glassearechic tho. National or at least State honors are not as hard as it sounds once you put ur mind to it and grab the right chances. And with a mind those stats reflect, I doubt it would be a problem for you at all.</p>

14

<p>Laundry lists of extracurriculars < small focused list that really says something about you. What sticks out is writing and music for you. Everything else is just noise that everyone seems to have. This is not to lessen your dedication at all…what I am trying to say is that you don’t need a huge list of things. Feel free to drop activities you have no passion for. You probably already know that the odds are stacked against a high-achieving-piano-playing-Asian, so the idea would be to do things that represent you are more than just a perfect-on-paper applicant, but an interesting, vivid, unique person.</p>

<p>Getting a job is not necessary considering your circumstances. It’s not like you need to check every achievement off some Future-HYP-Applicant List in order to be competitive. Consider finding a consistent volunteer gig for an organization in an area that interests you.</p>

15

<p>wow great stats honestly, looking really good for anything </p>

<p>also thinking about sophomore SAT of 2370, i thought that was impressive, until i read you skipped two grades, now its super impressive, 2370 and you’re 13? that is amazing haha </p>

<p>you’re looking good for any college imo</p>

16

<p>Thanks for the chance, here’s your chance back.</p>

<p>You’re definitely on the right track. Your stats are impressive! :slight_smile: Write a killer essay so you can get into Yale and stick with your ECs to show your dedication.</p>

17

<p>oh my gosh, you are a prodigy. i agree – you need a hook; something that sets you apart you should be fine though!</p>

18

<p>Do you guys think that completing a novel - and possibly getting it published - counts as a hook [Even if I’m planning to go into a science-related career]?</p>

19

<p>It could be a significant accomplishment, but not a hook (unless you become the next JK Rowling). </p>

<p>These are hooks: legacy, URM, recruited athlete. Then things like curing cancer that are truly exceptional.</p>

<p>But go for it!</p>

20

<p>Wow. I honestly don’t know why you’re making a thread hahaha you should be just as qualified of a candidate at all schools.
If you’re that young and can pull off grades/scores like those, props to you. However, the number of AP classes you are taking is rather low…unless that’s the max your school offers, bump that number up significantly. At my school, kids in the top 100 take at least 2-3 APs junior year.
The only thing I would suggest is to portray some passion in a EC or two…you seem to have a lot of solid ECs but it looks a bit like a laundry list
Also get some substantial leadership positions, and I’d say at least 2 of the Ivies would accept you.
Good luck!</p>