Ok, lets get back to the real stuff. How about chances for Yale?
Everyone’s chances for Yale suck. Everyone’s. And the same is true for Harvard, Stanford, Chicago, Princeton, MIT and Columbia.
Yes, you have as good a chance as anyone other than a billionaire legacy, but it’s still a reach for you and everyone else because of sheer numbers. “Chancing” Pomona or Amherst is pretty close to useless, but chancing Yale is utterly useless.
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Ok… if you’re dying for another comment:
Your chances are pretty slim everywhere besides UCs. Being Asian won’t help at any schools that aren’t LACs, and even then, you definitely don’t strike me as someone who would enjoy a small, liberal arts school (based on your ECs). Going off that point, you’re ECs are lacking–especially for the top schools you mention. I think Duke and USC are somewhat realistic reaches since the former is very score focused and the latter isn’t very hard to get into respective to your list (many kids at my school get into USC with high 20s/low 30s on the ACT).
In what sense are my ECs lacking? Is it not enough ECs in general?
@ma402016 NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
@bubblepop12444 is giving false optimism to OP, despite their amazing accomplishments. @nostalgicwisdom gives a far more accurate description of the situation.
Yea I know these schools are definitely not safeties, I’m just wondering in what sense are my ECs lacking, maybe in leadership?
@AznDude525 I don’t really think they are.
I think they’re a little lacking because there aren’t many ECs in which you show a high level of commitment over a long period of time (save your sports).
The research and stuff is great, don’t get me wrong, but I think it would help to have some leadership and some long-term commitment stuff.
Pomona (waitlist/reject)
Amherst (waitlist/reject)
JHU (accept)
Duke (Sorry, don’t know much about duke)
Williams (accept/waitlist)
Northwesten (accept/waitlist)
USC (accept)
UCs (50/50 for UCLA and UCB)
I have good test scores, but you’re GPA is really gonna hurt you at the better UCs since they care more about stats than anything else. You have a very impressive range of honors in the field of scientific research, but unfortunately you lack the diversity that LAC would like to see(I have rather limited knowledge regarding LACs). Also, it hurts but being Asian and doing STEM also doesn’t make you pop out. I do think you are a good fit for JHU tho. I visited and you seem to be the kind of person they are looking for. Good luck!
The way I look at this application is - Typical Asian with high scores, lots of research experience and some awards. Background: competitive private high schooler. Axe against you will be - top schools increasingly looking for “diversity” and high achievers despite limited resources. I’ve seen this story play out over and over, and again with my guidance kiddos this yr. Say in front of Duke, Stanford, JH - they have two applicants, one is exactly like yours… the other from a public school. Assume both Asians, assume both get “similar quality” of science awards, even at somewhat lower scores, GPA vs yours… and ECs are mostly with community stuff with “stories that benefitting the community to tell”… and they have to pick one. I think that choice is not difficult. Places like JH enjoy to have kids with some research done under their belts during HS yrs, but they also recognize most public schools (let alone inner city schools) have similar access. Applying to these schools are crapshoots even among the best, I guess on your list, USC (UCLA) UMA are safeties, the rest I would consider as high matches (JH) to reaches (Duke). The Top LACs will be suspicious if you will attend, assume you are admitted. None of these LACs wanna be thought of “backups”, “safeties” for anyone. Your profile is very research, STEM-oriented, these LACs will question the fit. Thus, put extra effort in the application essays to convince them wrt fit. JMHO.
@poipr123 your analysis literally makes no sense.
@BigflowerSusie but Swarthmore does offer engineering, which is worth noting. That may be a good LAC for op to look into.
You’ve got some important things going for you. High GPA and SATs and Subject Tests–from a competitive east coast private HS. These schools are feeder schools to top elite colleges, so that alone can put you in a different category than most public school kids. Asian ethnicity will hurt you. You have national awards–a big plus. These could be seen as Leadership awards, but it would have been nice to see some more distinct leadership positions in your ECs. You have demonstrated caring for others with your hospital work and community service, so it proves you want to use your scientific study to benefit others. Barring something going wrong in your essays and rec letters, you are in good shape. Please let me know where you get accepted! Good Luck.
I’ll keep this thread update on where I get in.
I think you have a strong chance at all the schools. STS and Siemens are a big deal. The schools will know this.
I’d be surprised if you don’t get into at least half the schools listed above.
Please update this thread once acceptances come out.
Oh yea I got the chancellors reception letter from UCSB
Admitted to UCR Biochemistry.