<p>First post! I'm really curious how I stack up...I'm applying to Yale early, as well as Princeton, UChicago, MIT, Stanford, Harvey Mudd, Reed, Swarthmore, Amherst, and Brown (a somewhat disparate list, but I'm applying to each school for very clear reasons.) I plan on being a physics major (hopefully with a math double major), and also want to study astronomy and studio art and philosophy in college.</p>
<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I: 2300 (750M, 790CR, 760W), just retook yesterday
[</em>] ACT: 35
[<em>] SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Physics
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[<em>] Rank: 1 out of 506 unweighted, 7 out of 506 weighted
[</em>] AP: Calculus AB (5); will take Calculus BC, Physics C: Mechanics, and Chemistry in the spring
[<em>] IB: Math SL (7), Visual Arts SL (7); will take Math HL, History of the Americas HL, English HL, Physics HL, French B SL
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: IB Math HL, IB TOK, IB English, IB French, IB Physics, IB History, orchestra
[<em>] Awards: National Merit Semifinalist, QB College Prep
[/ul]Subjective:[list]
[</em>] Extracurriculars: Violin (co-concertmaster of school orchestra, first violin in youth symphony), art (won awards, exhibited in several local juried shows; will be submitting an arts supplement), Science Olympiad (team captain), Quiz Bowl (captain), Astronomy Club (president)
[<em>] Job/Work Experience: Current research internship at a physics lab at the local university, former research internship in a medical genetics lab at the same university
[</em>] Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at an animal shelter on weekends
[<em>] Summer Activities: Summer Science Program (obligatory SSP plug: Apply for it! It was the most amazing program ever and so life-changing yay), Summer@Brown ("Introduction to Astrophysics and Cosmology")
[</em>] School Type: large public
[<em>] Ethnicity: Asian
[</em>] Gender: Female</p>
<p>Where do you live? That makes a huge difference for Yale especially if you live in CT because they are more likely to admit children of faculty/legacies/prep school kids. You also didn’t need to retake the SAT because that 35 is basically a 2350. Anyways, all your stats look solid. Your ECs are not stellar, but they show leadership. Basically if you write a superb essay and have solid art supplements that highlight your violin playing/visual arts skills, you should be good for every school. Having not read your essays, I see nothing unique about you at the moment.</p>
<p>@Oberyn (appreciate the username, by the way): Um, I live in the Pacific NW. I’m the first person in my family to attend school in the US, so no legacies here. My essays are still in progress, but mostly I’m talking about art, my love for science, SSP, and cooking (ahaha). Perhaps I haven’t founded my own charity or won USAMO, but I think my research will count towards something? I’m submitting a research supplement as well, the orbit determination report. I’m portraying myself as somebody really into science and research and academia, but also interested in other things - more “humanities”-type things, which is why I’m applying to some liberal arts schools. </p>
<p>Your gpa/rank/test scores are phenomenal. Being a first generation will also help you a lot but being Asian will make things a tad more difficult. The art supplement should also work in your favor and shows your wellroundedness. You should look into the Brown/RISD joint degree program so you can work on science and art. I wish you the best and think you’ll get into one of those places! Chance back please?</p>
<p>Ok, so I retook the SAT because that 2300 was from sophomore year and I wanted to see if I could do better on the Math section. lololol
I was considering Brown/RISD dual degree, but I think juggling a full-time art degree along with a physics/math degree would be a bit difficult. I do really enjoy art though and want to study it in college (and Yale has a great art department!)</p>
<p>At Swarthmore recently, one of the deans said he is often perplexed how many students apply to Ivies <em>and</em> Swarthmore. He was suggesting that these students don’t really know what type of school they want and are just applying based on rankings or prestige factor. I’m assuming that is not you, but you should know that there is certainly inconsistency in the types of schools you list here. These schools are also the hardest ones to chance for. You will get into a fine school. No guess which one(s).</p>
<p>Hmmm…I think there is <em>some</em> rhyme and reason in my choices. I’m looking for a school that really places emphasis on academics/intellectualism, but is also kind of…artsy/quirky, I guess? (I <em>really</em> don’t like either of those words, but that’s the only way I could describe it.) Hence UChicago, Reed, Swarthmore. I do like Swarthmore a lot, especially for the strength of their physics program.</p>
<p>Updates: Just got my October SATs back. I got 10 points higher on reading. -_-
Just submitted my Yale application!</p>
<p>I think you are in great shape with ECs and academics. I think I have the same problem as you. Both of us have pretty stellar academics (Yours are actually slightly better). We also have some pretty good ECs. However, I don’t think either of us have anything that differentiates us from the rest of the 1000s of kids applying. <em>Sigh</em>
Anyway, come check my chance me thread.</p>
Being an asian will definitely be a drawback because the ECs you have listed are very common among Asians. Will your research be published by any chance? I think you should try to get very good recommendation letters from your PI and write an outstanding essay. Also what is your class size and does your school have a history of sending students to HYP? If you I think you have a 60 -70% chance of getting in. Good luck!
ok, read your post again and the class size is listed as 506. If that is correct then you have a phenomenal GPA. As I said if your school/region sends kids to HYP then you have a very good chance.
I meant it is higher that 50-50 if the above mentioned criteria are met. Again, it really depends on the school/region. While the acceptance rate is 6.8%, that is only an average rate. It gets higher for some and almost close to 0% for others.
Hmmm, I read that article with an appropriate grain of salt. I can’t speak to the author’s children, but I know for a fact that a vast and diverse cadre of employers are on campus recruiting kids. Everything from consulting to teach-for-America, to technology to Wall Street and everything between. I think at the end of the day, it’s your preference and moreover, your application of the experience.