Hi! I am an Indian applying for the astrophysics major. Stats as follows:
Standardized test scores:
SAT 1 - 1470 highest single sitting (720 E, 750 M 16 Essay), 1490 superscore (720 E, 770 M, 16 Essay)
SAT 2 - 800 (Phy, Chem, Math 2)
TOEFL iBT - 114
Academics:
Pursuing Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics with English and Informatics Practices (most rigorous coursework). Consistently score above 90%+ from 6th grade through 12th. Current class rank: 2/220. Also, received scholar badge for 6 consecutive years (6th through 12th), given only to exceptional academic achievers, as well as scholar memento twice (given for winning the scholar badge for 3 consecutive years). One of the most stellar academic records among students of my school.
ECs:
Extensive social work. 2 years volunteer work at an orphanage run by a trust. 1 week full time social service in the form of rural development planning and construction work at a nearby village. Write for the Red-Cross society. Devoted 3 weeks to volunteer service at an orphanage out of hometown. None of this is compulsory volunteer service, all has been done by will.
Poet. Published consistently on Facebook, Instagram. Write for the school magazine. Taken part in local poetry recitations as well. Working on a short poetry book. (in fact, entire CommonApp essay is on love for poetry)
Rhythm guitarist and singer at a rock band. Leader of school’s musical fiesta (17-18). Played alongside the trio Yorkstone-Thorne-Khan at an unofficial concert.
Developed a java program that is capable of solving linear equations in any number of variables, find determinant, adjoint and inverse of general order matrix. Contributed this project to the school’s Physics and Math departments, which currently use my program for work. Submitted portfolios to Yale and MIT for the same.
Schools - UMass Amherst, GeorgiaTech, UMich, UWisc, UCLA, UCB, UCSC, UT Austin, Cornell, Rice, UPenn, Yale, MIT (do not consider SAT for the same, as they accept TOEFL + SAT II), RPI, U of Rochester
Aid: Yes, wherever provided.
Also applied to U of Toronto for backup. Other backups are in UK - Imperial, UCL, U of Manchester, U of Bristol, U of Glasgow. Applied to these places on account of my good academic record.