<p>Sat: 720m 660w 610cr
Rank: Top 12% (62/550)
GPA is 3.75
I've taken all AP/Pre-AP classes but no AP tests so far.
Taking 6 APs senior year
I usually write pretty good compelling essays
Got an 11 on SAT essay
I'm Hispanic from a poor area
Parents divorced, caused me a lot of distraction and took away from my academics
My Ecs are good, founded 4 clubs, president of 3, other leader in two other clubs, average community service, plenty of job experience. Took an internship. Good letters of rec, anything else just ask. Applying to engineering.
All state band 2x
WAYYYY more ECs than usual. Most ECs in school.</p>
<p>UCLA
UCB
U of Miami
Columbia
UT
TAMU (safety)
Rice
GIT
Tulane
USC
Cornell
University of Chicago
UVA</p>
<p>Yeah they're all reaches, but whatever. Just tell me which ones you think I'll be accepted to. Thanks guys </p>
<p>BONUS: :D
Tell me which essay would benefit me more:
The story of the struggles of being biracial and surpassing stereotypes
The story of how I am a great leader, cofounding 4 clubs in high school and being an officer in 6, as well as cofounding a local nonprofit.</p>
<p>i think you have a good chance at UCLA, Rice, U of Miami, and USC. you have a better chance at getting into cornell than columbia in my opinion.</p>
<p>The struggles of being biracial and surpassing sterotypes, if you can write really well. Just make sure you can answer the questions 1)How is my identity central to who I am? 2)Who’s sterotypes have I been effected by? Sterotypes by people within your community? Strangers? , 3)Why is surpassing stereotypes important to you/biracial people? I feel like it could be a more personal essay than that of starting the clubs, and it would give you the opportunity to show who you really ARE, as opposed to what you have DID. </p>
<p>I feel like your SAT is a little low for those schools(but I’m not 100% familiar with the ACT so I can’t say for sure). Everything else looks good. UT and UMiami seem like they’d be definite matches for you. Good match for the UC schools. For the rest, I feel like they’re a reach(but which school with an acceptance rate south of 25% isn’t a reach for everyone?), but you’re definitely a competitive applicant. </p>
<p>I am in no way familiar with most of your schools, so I will just do for the ones I know.</p>
<p>U Chicago: Reach (High reach if not for URM status)
Columbia: Reach (High reach if not for URM status)</p>
<p>Your SAT score is holding you back from an easier chance at acceptance. You have a good score, but for those two schools, it is far too low. Your GPA isn’t terrible, but could be better. U Chicago focuses a ton on the essay, so you had better hope that your writing is at the standard you think it is. </p>
<p>As for your question about the essay, there is no one clear answer. Saying that you are a “great leader” may come across as arrogant. That is more the sort of thing that teachers and coaches should explain in their essay. While it is a great idea to write an essay about your extracurriculars, refrain from being arrogant. Additionally, be careful with the essay about your minority status. While you may well have had challenges relating to race, if taken the wrong way, your essay could seem like you are whining about it. Make sure that your essay in no way implies that you are trying to use your race to gain an unfair advantage. Basically, if your race has made things hard for you, write about it. If you are stretching in saying that it does, don’t write about it.</p>
<p>I’m not saying don’t do either topic, I’m just saying that you should make sure that you don’t come across as arrogant or entitled. Either essay can be written very well, so long as you are humble, and honest. Also, I meant to say teacher recommendation.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks a ton, I really appreciate it. I’m gonna try and walk the line on both, explaining what I go through and how I am accustomed to it, and explaining my leadership by explaining how I benefit others</p>
<p>UCLA - low reach
UCB - reach
Miami - low match
Columbia - reach
UT - reach if not instate top 7%
Rice - reach
GT - match
Tulane - high match
USC - reach
Cornell - reach
Chicago - reach
UVA - reach</p>
<p>Where are you in-state? I did each public as OOS.</p>
<p>Maybe try to get all your SAT scores into the 700’s and jump to the top 10% if you can for Columbia. I think you’re good for TAMU. For the essays, combine them! Say despite “these circumstances blah blah blah I’m this amazing leader blah blah blah” That’s what I would do Also, I may have missed this if you specified your gender, but if you are a female AND a minority applying to engineering, then that will definitely help!!! Good luck :D</p>
That’s what I would do 
Also, I may have missed this if you specified your gender, but if you are a female AND a minority applying to engineering, then that will definitely help!!! Good luck :D</p>