<p>Hello! I am a rising senior from Oklahoma who is very interested in math and science. Chances?</p>
<p>35 ACT (35 E 35 M 34 R 35 S)
2320 SAT (760M 790 CR 770 W)</p>
<p>SAT II Physics: 800
SAT II Chemistry: 800
SAT II Math II: 800</p>
<p>AP Physics C: Mechanics: 5
AP Physics C: E+M: 5
AP Calculus BC: 5 (AB Subscore: 5)
AP Computer Science A: 5
AP English Language: 5
AP English Literature: 5
AP United States History: 5
AP Chemistry: 5</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
Three-year Varsity Tennis Player
Member of JETS TEAM+S Team (3rd Place Nationally)
Member of Grove Robotics Team F.R.O.G.
Ballroom Dancing
150+ Hours of volunteer work at local library
Free tutoring in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and standardized testing
2009 Oklahoma Boys State Attendee Voted City Council
2010 IRSP Scholar Worked with Norman-based engineering business this summer
Will participate in a physics mentorship throughout my senior year</p>
<p>Special Honors:
OSSM Afton Regional Center Best Overall Student Award
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College Math Day - Advanced Math/Calculus 1st Place
American Legion Americanism Essay Contest 1st Place
Chauncy Witcraft Award for Academic Excellence at Oklahoma Boys State
QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship Finalist
National Merit Finalist (Expected)</p>
<p>Notable Post-AP Classes:
Multivariate Calculus
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Real Analysis
Thermal, Waves, and Optics
Modern Physics I + II
Organic Chemistry I
Biochemistry
Genetics
Data Structures I + II</p>
<p>Due to the academic rigor of our course load, my school does not calculate a GPA or rank. However, I have made an A (90+) in every class I have taken here and would say I am definitely in the top 5 (out of ~75) in my class.</p>
<p>I am interested in applying to:</p>
<p>Princeton
Stanford
MIT
Caltech
Chicago
Rice
UIUC
Tulsa</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>In everywhere. Definite plus that you’re from an under-represented state, but your academic record is extremely impressive.</p>
<p>Your academic record is amazing beyond comprehension…Real analysis? WOW. I’m confident you’ll get into at least one of Princeton, Stanford, MIT, and Caltech, probably all of them. The rest of your schools are safeties.</p>
<p>Well, I am taking real analysis this coming semester. And I doubt it is as crazy difficult as a senior-level college class… but it should be challenging.</p>
<p>Can anyone recommend any safeties with good aid (I am quite poor, unfortunately…) and strong programs in engineering and the natural sciences?</p>
<p>I’ve heard that Vanderbilt gives very good need-based financial aid. Some of their engineering/science programs are ordinary, but a few of them (Biomedical engineering, for example) are excellent.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt sounds interesting… but to hear that some of their engineering programs are ordinary is somewhat disappointing. I’m interested in physics, mathematics, computer/electrical engineering, and computer science. As far as what I am looking for in a college, academic rigor (in my areas of interests of course) is my primary concern.</p>
<p>Well, the lesser ivies all give decent need-based financial aid as well. Cornell might be a good option for you in case the top schools don’t work out because their physics, electrical engineering, and computer science programs are all top 10, while math is top 15. Many people consider Cornell’s engineering programs to be the best in the Ivy League.</p>
<p>Cornell definitely looks interesting. I will check them out for sure.</p>
<p>Bump. Any other opinions?</p>
<p>Also, I was thinking about applying early to several of the schools on my list through the QuestBridge College Match Program (granted I become a finalist). However, I have heard that admissions through QB can actually be a great deal more difficult given that so few applicants are actually matched. Can anybody weigh in on this?</p>
<p>^^
QB finalist can’t hurt.
Even if you just get the status of QB finalist and then RDing in the end, it helps you. I’ve know some people who’ve been QB finalists and their stats are below the 50 percentiles for their schools. (both are ORM)</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/954601-hypsm-hopeful-chances.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/954601-hypsm-hopeful-chances.html</a></p>
<p>btw, with your math abilities, have you gotten AIME and USAMO?</p>
<p>First off, your academic record is stellar. Good job. </p>
<p>Princeton
Stanford
MIT
Caltech</p>
<p>The above four are crapshoots, as we all know. I agree with the sentiment above that it would be shocking if you were not to be admitted to at least one of these four, if not the majority. However, nothing’s a guarantee. For MIT and Caltech, your profile definitely shows you have interest and ability in their programs, but take extra care in showing what makes you different from many of the other extremely gifted math and science students who apply. Your geographic diversity will help here.</p>
<p>Chicago - Your chances here are as good as anyone, and probably some of the greatest I’ve seen with the exception of some very high-achieving URMs (for Chicago, specifically). Chicago admissions can be weird because they look for a…how to put this…unique type of student, so focus on showing your creativity in your essays and your chances should be very high.
Rice - I’d estimate your chances at upwards of 85-90%. Granted, those numbers are overly specific, but I’m trying to quantify that you would bring a lot to this school, and I would be pretty surprised if they rejected you.
UIUC - Almost certainly in (barring some very weird fluke), however, and I don’t know the answer to this, what are their policies on out-of-state financial aid? Their engineering programs are fantastic, but I would look into the financial side more.
Tulsa - in.</p>
<p>Finally, with regards to QuestBridge, it definitely won’t hurt your application. None of your “Big 4” schools offer ED, so you won’t lose any potential admissions benefit by bypassing that (EA doesn’t have the same benefit, and in some cases can even be harder). Places like Princeton, QB will give you two chances of admission, so that’s something to consider. Also, your profile matches really well with the schools I presume you’d be ranking on QB, so I think your chances of matching are pretty solid. If I were in your position, I would not pass up the opportunity.</p>
<p>freezingbeast:</p>
<p>Thanks for your comments. My primary question was that if accepted as a QuestBridge Finalist, what would be the pros and cons of applying early to some schools through the Match program as opposed to simply using the QuestBridge application in the regular cycle. Sorry if I did not clarify. </p>
<p>As for your question, I was unaware of the AMC exams until this past year. I ended up missing AIME by a 1.5 points, which was very disappointing to me. Although I do have a passion for mathematics, I have never really been involved in math competitions or prepared for them. Regardless, I definitely see this as a weakness on my application I would not like to highlight.</p>
<p>ChancingFanatic:</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your informative post! I agree about admissions at those schools being crapshoots. You’re specific advice is very helpful, however, I am unsure how to highlight my “geographic diversity”. If you could clarify somewhat, I would really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input on the other schools as well. I too feel that my chances for admission are relatively good, but I am also curious as to the quality of aid at these schools. I have been to a few of these college’s websites, but I find they are often vague as to the amount of financial or merit aid that is typically awarded and what is required of one to qualify. If anyone could go into detail regrading financial aid or merit-based scholarships, and my competitiveness for them, at these middle schools, I would greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>As for Tulsa, I do like the school and would be happy attending, but I would by lying if I said my primary motivation for applying was not due to their location (relative to me) and generous Presidential Scholarship package. They are my only true, solid safety.</p>
<p>Assuming that you’re in Tulsa, what school are you currently attending? I rarely see anyone else from OK on these boards.</p>
<p>Oklahoma is rather underrepresented on these boards, haha. I actually attend OSSM, a boarding school in Oklahoma City.</p>
<p>Trinity College, I think it would be best to keep you for back up!! Or Reed may be!!!</p>