Stats:
Asian female
State: California
Will be applying as a bio major
Unweighted GPA: 3.98
Weighted (estimate): 4.37
SAT: 1550
SAT II: Math 2 (800), Bio E (800)
AP Classes: AP Bio (5), AP Calc AB (5), AP Lang (5), AP Seminar (4), AP Chem (2 LMAOO).
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Research, AP Lit, AP Gov/Econ, AP Statistics
Extracurriculars:
These are honestly not special, I’ve always just done what I’m interested/passionate in.
Competitive horseback riding for 8 years, on two different teams
Around 600 community service hours from volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center and as a camp counselor at a zoo.
WWOOFed in Scotland this summer by myself for over a month.
Camp counselor at an equine therapy program for kids
Some smaller ECs not worth mentioning
No major awards, just an AP scholar whatever and USEF Lettering program grades 5-12.
I think I can make my essays stand out at least a little just because I’m very passionate about the things that I do even though they don’t look great on paper.
Chance me for Brown, Pomona College, Northwestern, University of Southern California, UCLA, UCB, UCSB, UCI, UCD, and UCSD. (Accepted at ASU already)
I think that you stand a good chance (as in your application would make it to the small group/committee) at all of the schools on your list.
I think that Hopkins is a match for you. Another possible match is University of Wisconsin, Madison; biochemistry, biology and chemistry there are top notch (research wise).
Perhaps, consider University of Maryland, College Park as a low-match/high “safety”. All (IS and OOS) who apply to UMD by Nov 1, will be considered for the Banneker-Key scholarships, a full award would pay for tuition, room-and-board and books. I met quite a few 2019 OOS Banneker-Key finalists at a function there.
I’d say your chances for the above three are, in descending order: UMD, UW-Madison, Hopkins.
As you already know, for the rest of your applications, concentrate on the all-important essays and short answers. Your ECs are fine; equine therapy is quite interesting. Perhaps talk about what lessons you have learned and how you have benefited from your ECs, not just on how you have helped others.
Any thoughts of being a veterinarian? If so maybe throw one or two schools with vet schools. You might have some research opportunities or ability to shadow.