Chance a rising Junior for HYPMS? A bit worried and wondering where to visit colleges

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Any input/advice is welcome!</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): Not yet taken
[</em>] ACT: 33, 36 reading, 35 math, 33 science, 28 writing (took this in 8th grade)
[<em>] SAT II: Math 2 800, Chem 790, US History 790
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.91
[<em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): Chem (5), Macro (5), Micro (5), US History (4)
[</em>] Junior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Calc BC, AP World, AP GovPol, AP English 3, Organic Chemistry,
[<em>] Awards: Qualified for AIME, a couple awards at various MUN conferences, 38th in 80th Annual Writer's Digest Competition for rhyming poetry, 1st place in NJ in 8th grade Math League competition,
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Class President, Co-Captain of the Math Team, Mock Trial Attorney, MUN, published poems in various poetry magazines, Co-Anchor for weekly school broadcast, JV Tennis
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Attended Hugh O' Brian Leadership seminar, leader of a local community service group focused on anti-bullying, also volunteered to raise/organize school supplies for impoverished children in China,
[</em>] Summer Activities: Took two summer classes, Accel Chem and Accel Physics
[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): NJ
[</em>] School Type: Very competitive
[<em>] Ethnicity: Asian
[</em>] Gender: Male
[<em>] Income Bracket: Upper middle
[</em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None
[/ul]</p>

2

<p>are you serious? this is definitely what they are looking for. keep it up man, you have great chances of getting in and a bright future no doubt.</p>

3

<p>You already know about your writing score. You’re applying to schools with intensive writing requirements, so a low score would be a red flag.</p>

<p>Like so many students, your numbers overall are good enough to qualify, but there’s seemingly nothing special about your application. You’ve checked off the right boxes to follow the formula for admission. These schools see thousands that aren’t much different or distinguishable.</p>

4

<p>Crap shoot like everyone else. BTW, 8th grade doesn’t count.</p>

5

<p>Thanks everybody for the input! I am currently working on my writing but it is still my weakest section. For some reason I just can’t get my head around the essays. Also I know 8th grade won’t count for my real college application, but since I only have 2 years of high school so far under my belt, I wanted to include some extra information for this post. Would you say I should bother applying/visiting to the top schools though? I don’t want to waste the money flying out there if I’m not going to have a chance :/. Also I forgot to add that I also attend the Columbia University Science Honors Program</p>

6

<p>wow, your good to go. how did u qualify for aime? do u apply somewhere?</p>

7

<p>Well it depends on your grade but you either take the AMC 10 or 12 (your school should offer it, if they don’t ask around). Then depending on your AMC score you can qualify for AIME</p>

8

<p>Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, an Asian making a 4 on APUSH.</p>

<p>Welcome to the club.</p>

9

<p>You are on track for HYPMS. ACT of a 35 will put you as a match for these schools in that you have no ‘hooks’.</p>

<p>Chance me back :slight_smile:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1379901-chance-california-schools-thanks.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1379901-chance-california-schools-thanks.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>No unhooked applicant is on track for HYPSMC or top 10 colleges.
No unhooked applicant without major awards (Intel, IMO…) is match for top 10 colleges.</p>

<p>OP
As of right now, HYPSMC are high reach schools for you.
And, other top 10-15 colleges are reach schools for you.</p>

<p>Upper middle class Asian male without significant ECs or awards ------> Almost every top 10-15 colleges are reach.</p>

<p>You will get into some good colleges.</p>

<p>To be honest, as of right now, I don’t see HYPSMC.
(ACT 35 is not a big deal!)</p>

11

<p>Mhm well this is taking into account that I am entering Junior year, I still have two more years of college though right? :/</p>

<p>So should I bother visiting or applying to these schools? Do you think they are too high of a reach for me?</p>

12

<p>Depends. Physics C?</p>

13

<p>You will be competitive in the admissions process. You are academically and extra-curricularly qualified for any of the top schools.</p>

<p>The problem is that the vast majority of people who are applying to HYPMS are competitive in the process and are qualified. Indeed, at Yale, 90-95% of applicants are academically qualified, and yet it only has an admissions rate of 6%. If you don’t have anything that makes you massively stand out, like finding the cure to cancer, then you will still have a chance, but that chance is small.</p>

<p>With that said, since you are qualified, please, please, please apply. You never know what will happen, and you very well could get into one of the top schools. I mean, what’s the worst that happens if you don’t get accepted? You lose a little bit of money on application fees. But, on the flip side, what’s the best thing that could happen if you got accepted to one of the top Ivies? I’ll let you answer that for yourself, but it’s clear that the potential benefits of applying far outweigh the potential costs.</p>

<p>Also, if it’s not too much of a hassle, visit the colleges you’re interested in, even if they are reach schools. You’ll quickly learn what you like in colleges and what you don’t like, and it will also help you write more individualized supplementals for each college. </p>

<p>You’re on the right track. Believe me, even if you don’t get into HYPMS (and that by no means is certain), you will end up at a very good college. Just make sure you take full advantage of Junior year, which is by far the most crucial year for college admissions. Keep your grades up, pursue your EC’s to an even higher degree, try to find an internship for next summer, and, most of all, enjoy yourself. Remember, you only get to be in high school once, so enjoy the experience while you can.</p>

14

<p>I agree with Adodie! You sound very qualified, but IMO, most Asian males are similarly qualified. (No offense intended. I’m Asian too.) As always, HYPMS are reaches, but I think you have a chance. Keep up the good work and good luck!</p>

15

<p>Wow. This thread has actually opened my eyes up so much to both sides of the spectrum. Thanks so much everyone for all the great advice, this has actually been such a learning experience.</p>

<p>Also, dundunyang: Yup! I’m pretty sure it’s Physics C.</p>

16

<p>You need to have more colleges on your list.
No unhooked applicant has “good chances” at HYPSMC or Columbia etc.</p>

<p>All my friends (all Asian males) had better academic credentials than yours but nobody made to HYPSMC. Yes, nobody. Pursue USAMO and “improve ECs” and make sure to write great essays. Then, hope for the best.</p>

<p>33 is not bad but try to improve your ACT or try SAT.
Your SAT IIs are fine. Maintain good GPA during your junior year (most important year).</p>

<p>Go visit schools but HYPSMC do not care about school visit.
NW, Wash U and LACs do care about college visits.</p>

17

<p>Also what would you guys recommend doing during the summer of Junior year? I know RSI and TASP are extremely good programs, but I’m not sure if I would be able to make those. I have been looking at either Gov School or a possible internship some where.</p>