Demographics: White male from Maryland.
Intended major(s): Computer Science, or maybe Math
Academics:
ACT: Haven’t taken yet.
SAT: 2230 - (790CR/710M/730W) superscored over two takes
SAT II: Planning to take in June, Math 2 and Literature tests.
Class rank: top 5%
UW/W GPA: 4.0/4.3
Coursework: Currently in IB program, taking IB History, IB English, IB Spanish, IB Psychology, IB Physics, and AP Calc
Past APs taken: AP Government (3), AP Psychology (4), AP English Lit (4), AP Human Geo (3, self-studied)
Awards: AP Scholar with Disctinction
Extracurriculars (with grade(s) participated in parenthesis):
Lacrosse (9)
Tennis (10, 11, 12)
Cross Country (9, 10, 12)
Concert Band (9, 10, played at states)
National Honor Society (11, 12)
Guitar Lessons (taken since ~5th grade)
Sales Associate at local retail store (11, 12)
International Club (10, 11, 12)
Calculus Club (11, 12)
Key Club (10)
Link Leader, program to help incoming freshman get acquainted with the school (12)
Have about ~150 volunteer hours from different activities, hoping to get some more
Schools I’m looking at:
Brown or Cornell ED, still thinking about it
UMD
UMich
UVA
UPenn
UPitt
NYU
Questions: As a current junior, is there anything I could do over the summer to maybe make my extracurriculars a little more “wow-ing”? Also, any good recommendations for safeties? Thanks.
Bump
I think you’ll be able to get into Michigan. Although Cornell is a reach for everyone, I don’t see why they wouldn’t accept you. Your SAT is above average for that school and you have a multitude of ECs. Brown, on the other hand, really likes to see unconventional applicants - people that usually get in ED to Brown have some unique skill, trait or experience that they usually write about in their essays. Also, when I think of Brown, I don’t really think of Computer Science or Math. As it is any Ivy League it is well rounded, but I think Cornell would be a better and safer choice for you. I would say apply to Cornell ED.
You could do something over the summer like research with a professor of some sort. I know that if you are applying for a math or science related fields, top colleges really like to see that you value these subjects outside of a school setting. If out have any other questions, feel free to message me.
Thanks, and yeah I figured research with a professor would be a good idea, but at this point, it’s probably too late for me to secure any position doing research over the summer. I might end up doing volunteer work in addition to my summer job, so hopefully that’d help.