Chance me -- be critical!!

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi,
So I’m currently an Asian (Chinese) male sophomore (yeah, I know - a little early for this) on Long Island/New York.

GPA: currently around a 3.97 (freshman: 3.99, sophomore: ~3.95

APs/courseload
Freshman: AP Statistics (5), Precalculus, Biology, other standard classes
Sophomore: AP European History, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science, Science Research, Chemistry, etc.
Junior (projected): APUSH, AP Biology/Physics 1, AP Composition, Science Research, etc.

Standardized Testing:
I somehow got a 1500 on the PSAT, but couldn’t qualify for National Merit as of yet, so I don’t know if that means anything.
For the SAT/, I usually do very well on math/writing, but screw up on critical reading. Any advice is welcome!!!

Extracurriculars:
My EC’s are pretty spaced out and cover a variety of topics. As I’m a sophomore, I don’t have too many leadership positions yet, so the following isn’t as impressive as it should be:
-Mathletes (running for VP this year)
-Science Olympiad (secretary this year, running for captain)
-Student Council (treasurer freshman year, nothing this year lol)
-Quiz Bowl (should be President senior year)
-Peer Tutoring
-JV/Club soccer
-Running a website/Youtube channel as businesses (website accumulated over 650K page views so far, earned quite a few $$, Youtube channel is still relatively new, on a unique topic)
-40+ volunteer hours from peer tutoring, senior day care center
I’m probably still forgetting some though…

Awards:
-AIME, NYSML team award, other local/regional math awards
-Regional Science Olympiad medals (2nd, 3rd, 4th, team always missing States by one place, only in its 2nd year of existence)
-Should have National Merit Semi/AP Scholar w/ Distinction by next year

If I keep on this track, what are my chances for the following colleges:
-Duke
-Johns Hopkins
-the Ivy League colleges (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, etc.)
-UC Berkely/Stanford
-Washington U at St. Louis
-some other top colleges

Be as critical as possible, because I need to see in which areas I can improve upon.
THANKS A TON AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!

2

You are an Asian male from a highly competitive state. That sucks. But otherwise you look like a strong applicant. BC calculus as a sophomore and AIME are strong.

On the critical side:

  • Most of your ECs are academic
  • There's nothing right now that really makes you stand out (though that depends on the details of your YouTube channel)

But you have plenty of time, and are generally ahead of the game.

3

Overall your app looks good. Solid GPA, scores, and academic extracurriculars. But to have a better shot, you need to separate yourself with something unique. I say roll with the youtube channel, because what college wouldn’t want publicity? :slight_smile:

4

Your app looks great. Like everyone else said, go for a hook (The youtube channel does sound very promising, as does the website)

If I’m being critical, then your college choices sound like a huge prestige hunt. No point in applying to “every top college available”. Find some reaches that you like, not just for ranking or name.

5

Looks great- the problem is for your race and gender things are very compedative- see if you can find a way to separate yourself from the crowd- this should help. How are your essay writing skills and interviews? Yeah I’d run with the YouTube thing- but if you are shooting ivy league, I’d try and rope academia into it too- good luck!

6

If I were you, I would double down on your website and YouTube channel. Also, take your SAT Subject Tests as soon after your highest-level class in a subject as possible; I learned that the hard way.

Good luck, and I think that at your current pace, at least a few of those top colleges will be happy to accept you.

7

Your EC’s are very ordinary and aren’t quite strong but your YouTube channel and website stand out a bit. Being an Asian male, it will be more of a burden for you to get into a selective school. Ivy League, Stanford and WashingtonU are a bit of a stretch but Duke, Berkeley and Hopkins are possible.

@minette921 Girl, you’ve been commenting on everyone’s threads. Just start your own smh

8

Thanks for the advice everyone! Yeah, I know my race and gender will probably work against me, so I’m trying to do stuff/activities that aren’t the norm for a Chinese male.
If you guys can suggest any other extracurricular activities that can make me stand out, that would be great!
Thanks.

9

What do you wanna major in? I’d center any extra EC’s around that (ex: for engineering, do robotics, for poli sci volunteer to work on a political campaign). Be sure to take a math class your junior year, even at a community college if there is no option after BC at your school. Your PSAT is amazing, and if you study you could definitely pull off an amazing score on the SAT/ACT. You seem like a really strong student, but there are thousands of students just as strong/stronger than you who will be applying for the same colleges, so be sure to look past ivies/duke/stanford etc.

10

@AXGaming,
You’re applying to selective schools. If you really want to know your chances, then look at the percentages of students those schools accept. That’s the best target anyone will be able to give you for chances of getting accepted.

You have a strong academic profile, but you will have lots of company.

For any given school, why do you want to go there? When the adcoms read your application, what will make them look at you and think “gee, this person will really add value to our freshman class”?

Be realistic and make sure you have one or two safety schools - important for anyone who applies to top schools.

11

Yeah, I’m taking Multivariable Calculus next year, I forgot to mention that above lol.
What are some activities that can make me stand out from the rest of my really smart Asian peers? I’m pretty passionate about soccer, which is unique for my race but I’m not sure that helps much.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks!!!

12

Oh, and I took the SAT Math 2 (800) if that helps any. Thanks again.

13

Talk to your research teacher about doing Simons summer senior year. You’d be perfect for that program I think.

14

Simons program is only for incoming seniors?
Would you happen to know any labs near NYC that accepts high school students?
Thanks!

15

Oh, and I got a National Spanish Exam silver medal if that helps my case lol.
Can more people point out the downsides in my resume other than the fact that I’m an Asian male from NY?
Thanks!

16

Lol I got one of those sophomore year, too, and just remembered.

17

To find a mentor you might be a little bit late. However, if you furiously send out emails now you might be able to find somebody. Stony Brook has a couple of professors who will take high school students.
Yes, Simons is for seniors. However, a school can only nominate a couple people so you should talk to your research teacher to make sure that she nominates you and not somebody else.

18

@Coldsummer123 Yeah, I’ve been sending out a lot of mentor letters the past few days. However, the Stony Brook professors I contacted didn’t accept high school students, so that sucks…
Which department should I contact for the professors you mentioned?
Thanks a lot!

19

@AXGaming Keep trying. Are you sending them your resume in the email?

20

@Coldsummer123 No, I’m just saying that I read their journals/am well-read on my topic. And then I state my pivotal questions. The third, or last, paragraph is where I summarize my qualities. It’s only two-three sentences though.
Any thoughts about this?
Thanks!