Chance for Schools with Finance and help for college selection

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Introduction:
Hi! I am a 15 year old living in Illinois. I am currently going to the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, a public, residential, magnet school on the outskirts of Chicago's suburbs. As a second semester junior, the college search crunch has already started :( . In case you are curious, I am only 15 because I took advantage of the opportunity that IMSA gave me in 8th grade to skip freshmen year (my home high school was more or less of a train wreck to me), and I also went to school early when I grew up in China (the transition btw is still very difficult). </p>

<p>Aspirations:
I am looking to major in finance, financial economics, or at the least economics (perhaps with math or stats) because, like many people out there, I want to eventually go into investment banking, corporate finance, or become certified as an accountant/actuary. Still not sure there, but I'm fairly sure about going into finance. Along these lines, I'd like to one day extend my knowledge to making some sort of social impact (i.e. microfinance), which leads more into a social entrepreneurship aspect of my interests. HOWEVER, it seems, from what I've learned from my current high school, that I have a bit of a knack for chemistry and especially biology, so I'm actually discovering a personal curiosity towards medicine, partially due to the great amount of research that my peers do. In college, I want to do internships during the school year and the summer. I also want to study abroad, especially in France.</p>

<p>Personal information:
Citizenship status: Chinese citizen (applying for permanent residency) - been in US for 5 years and will study NOT with student visa
Gender: Male
Age (again): 15
Location: Illinois
Income level: 250k+</p>

<p>Stats: (let's get to it)
SAT I - breakdown
Math: 800
Reading: 710
Writing: 650
Total: 2160
ACT - Breakdown
English: 34
Math: 36
Reading: 34
Science: 33
Composite: 34
English/Writing: 32
No AP's yet because my current school does not offer any APs and middle school did not offer AP classes (
:-SS ), but I am taking the AP chem (because we have a LOT of college level chemistry classes) and AP macroeconomics (#self-study because school does not offer it :P ) for this year. Next year, I will be taking the AP French, Statistics, AB Calculus (cannot complete BC calculus sequence because I skipped a year), Biology, Microeconomics for sure. Maybe, I'll throw in a comparative government and one of the English ones. (All of these will essentially be self-study because I can only try to take somewhat relevant courses)
Taking the SAT-II Math 2, Chemistry, and Biology in June. Retake as necessary in the fall and definitely add french.
GPA (all unweighted because IMSA never weighs grades)
With high school credit from middle school counted: 3.98
Just IMSA grades: 3.96
(short story: only reason I have a flawed GPA is because I got a B my first semester at IMSA in English; teacher was mean to me even though I found it really hard to adjust to a residential setting at first)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Cross Country & Track every year since 7th grade (hopeful for captain next year)
Student Inquiry and Research investigation (learn more: <a href="https://www.imsa.edu/academics/inquiry"&gt;https://www.imsa.edu/academics/inquiry&lt;/a&gt;) - conducted research in Environmental impact and economics and will do one next fall on microfinance in developing nations.
Choir every year since 6th grade except last year (sophomore year), when I had no control over my schedule.
Student Council - Residential Hall representative (this year); likely for Residential Hall Senator (for next year); implemented various projects (like IMSA mental health awareness forum & world language tables at dinner)
Residential Student Leader - Wing Guide (helps sophomores adjust to IMSA and plan programs throughout the year for a wing of 24 people, this year); Community Developer (program and set mood; communicate with Student Council; next year for sure)
Extensive Tutoring: Tutored refugee children last year and a tutor for my IMSA peers this year and next year for a variety of subjects.
Key Club Treasurer: revived this club from the brink of extinction; will be president next year
Volunteering: racked up 450 hours over the last few year; aiming for 500+ by applying time
Future Business Leaders of America: Participated every year available. Won 6th place last year in Hospitality Management at state; won 5th place at state this year in personal finance
TALENT Board member (Total Applied Learning for ENTrepreneurs): organized 2 years of entrepreneurship showcases; presented in one (at the semifinals level); CURRENTLY creating a product to raise revenue and awareness for our organization, professional kickstarter video pending.</p>

<p>Summer Experiences:
Summer before last: IMSA science summer camp
Last summer: Summer camp at Brown University in International Financial Markets & Investments; also 150 hours of volunteering at a local library
This summer: interning at PricewaterhouseCoopers, accounting firm</p>

<p>Recommendations:
I know that they will be absolutely flawless because:
my two biology teachers will write a joint recommendation for me because they really like me and enjoy the work I put in.
My math teacher has had me for every single math class since I got to IMSA, and he has really been impressed by my work.
My history teacher, who graduated from UChicago promises to write me great recs because he has loved every single one of my 10+ pages papers.
My French teachers would love to write me recs; I always participate and I excel at the language. In addition, I doubled up on French 2 & 3 this year, so I can advance to French 4 next year. They absolutely love me for going the extra mile. To really make them proud, I got 7th place on the French National Contest last year in level I, and I think I did really well this year. </p>

<p>Essays:
Definitely will start on them this summer while interning and learning Calculus. I will have my counselors and teachers look over them too. I am developing some ideas.</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest:
Top choice: New York University - Stern School of Business (loved the visit, the academics, the international programs, and the professors; IMSA alumni have had great success coming out of NYU; living in NYC!!!)
High: University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School of Business or CAS (lovely campus, vibrant culture, snobbish people though! :-S and of course top notch handson curriculum and reputation)
High: Uchicago (no competition for UChicago ECON from my school; EXCELLENT REP; love the nerdy culture)
High: University of Michigan - Ross School of Business (great reputation; no more expensive than private schools; close to home)
High: MIT - Sloan (Great rep; successful IMSA alumni especially in Silicon Valley)
Medium: UC Berkeley - Haas (rep; proximity to silicon)
Medium: Claremont Mckenna (excellent LA school in economics)
Medium: UNC- chapel hill (doesn't seem to like out-of-staters though)
Low: Indiana University at Bloomington - Kelley (okay for finance; probably gonna shine there; gonna for sure get scholarship $$$)
Low: CMU - Tepper
Low: Case Western</p>

<p>Maybe suggest to me more ECON./ECON & MATH focused schools?</p>

<p>Anyways, that's my life. What are my chances for getting into: NYU, UPenn, UChicago, UMich, MIT, Berkeley, CMC, UNC, CMU, and CWR? Any suggestions for other schools to consider for my situation? Should I retake/change some of my things (test scores, etc...)?</p>

<p>Thanks so much!!! :D </p>

2

<p>MIT, Chicago and Penn are reaches. I think you’ll get in at the others.</p>

3

<p>Wow. That’s awesome. Really detailed. Ok… well, I’m also a junior who is applying to most if not all of the colleges that you are applying to. </p>

<p>Let’s get down to it. </p>

<p>Have you considered Notre Dame?
Have you taken any AP tests this year (junior year)?</p>

<p>Those schools that you mentioned are pretty reachable for you. Make sure you write good essays and show your passion for finance. </p>

<p>Last question: Do you want to do finance or entrepreneurship cause you seem to do both?</p>

4

<p>Hawkace, I haven’t really considered Notre Dame, but it seems to pop up on the businessweek rankings a lot. I’m curious as to why they seem to be very well-ranked by BusinessWeek, but not even mentioned by USNews. Also, what are their “highlights”?</p>

<p>I’m taking the AP chem and AP macro tests this year (junior year). </p>

<p>I want to go into finance, but I’m also really intrigued by entrepreneurship. I think I might want to eventually work for a VC (venture capital). </p>

5

<p>You could try Northwestern’s Kellog’s school </p>

6

<p>@tigerman333, isn’t the kellog school specific for graduates?</p>

7

<p>I’m not sure. You may want to look into that</p>

8

<p>The best indicator of your chances albeit not completely predictive is Naviance. It is not complete because it does not reflect extracurricular s and other intangibles. Also, things change from year to year. IMSA used to send a lot of kids to UChicago and Northwestern. Not anymore. However it is a good starting point. The other point of reference is anecdotal evidence. Where do kids with 3.96 GPA from your school get in? Obviously that may be difficult to find out unless GPAs are widely known. </p>

9

<p>@Tigerman333- Kellogg is Northwestern’s Business School. The closest undergrad program at NU for the OP’s goals is MMSS. </p>

10

<p>Hmm. Wall Street but also entrepreneurship?</p>

<p>I dunno about chances, but to get on the Street, aim for the best:
Wharton, Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Stanford. Dartmouth as well. Princeton and Dartmouth have really strong alumni networks (which is the main advantage of a school on Wall Street). Chicago, Stern, Ross, Cal, & CMU (for quant positions) are fine choices while Kelley is a good safety (it’s a school that punches above its weight). You might want to consider Northwestern and Duke as well. Also McDonough. G’town also punches above its weight in placement on the Street. Read Wall Street Oasis to find out which schools are targets and semi-targets (and non-targets). Don’t see the point of CMC. CWRU won’t get you on the Street either and won’t give you any special advantages in the Bay Area. Are you considering them only because of the money?</p>

<p>Is cost not an issue? For a safety with money, consider USC. They won’t get you on the Street, but they’re also known for a great network in CA (good for entrepreneurship).</p>

<p>BTW, I’m an IMSA alum who’s worked on both the Street and SF in tech. PM me if you like.</p>

11

<p>Oh yeah, and Kenan-Flagler isn’t really a target for the NYC banks but certainly could get you in to a bank in NC (Wells Fargo Securities is there; B of A also has a big presence there; DB has front office in Jacksonville). Also, UNC has scholarships. Probably hard to get OOS, though.</p>

<p>Oh, and I don’t know why anyone in their right mind would want to be an IB analyst, BTW. I can understand if you want to get in to S&T or a hedge fund, though.</p>

<p>There are actually several ways to get in to trading (or sales) besides just an IBank on the Street, however.</p>

<p>If you PM me, tell me what your motivation is for different jobs. Being an IBanker and actuary are VERY different. Also, why France? Also, liking or being good at bio or chem isn’t a good reason to go in to medicine (unless you’re talking about solely doing scientific research), but that’s just my opinion.</p>

12

<p>Oh, and you should consider Williams or Amherst as well if you are inclined to LACs. Are you a DivIII caliber athlete?</p>

13

<p>@turnupforwhat: Yo, read this thread.</p>