Chance Me Boston University (Class of 2025, currently a junior)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Boston University
1

Plan on applying ED for the BA/MA program of Molecular Biology/Biochemistry and Biotechnology

Basic Profile
Asian-American Male
From NV
Income: Divorced parents, total combined about $60-70k

UW GPA: 3.69 (probably going back up to 3.7 after second semester)
W GPA: 4.51
Class Rank: 43 out of 320 (no W GPA cap)

Freshman Core Classes:
Eng 9H, Alg2H, Biology H, Intro to Biomedical Sciences (my program class)

Sophomore Core Classes:
AP WH (4), Eng 10H, Precalc BC H, Chemistry H, Principles of Biotechnology

Junior Core Classes:
AP Eng Lit (?), AP Calculus BC (?), AP Chemistry (?), Physics H, Advanced Biotechnology/Science Independent Study

Senior Core Classes(planned): AP Statistics, AP Physics II, AP Eng Lang, AP Gov/We the People

Misc classes:
Took 3 years of French, 3rd year was online so I didn’t get the best grade (hope to finish if I am accepted)
2 years of Computer Science

SAT: N/A
ACT: 30 (just took it 2/25, hoping to improve to 32): English: 26, Math: 27, Reading: 31, Science: 35

AP Classes (from above): World History, English Lit, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Statistics, Physics II, English Lang, Government

Extracurriculars:

Orchestra Leadership Council Treasurer, 2018-2019
Orchestra Leadership Council Representative, 2017-2018
HOSA member/state competitor, 2018-2020
Winner of Chinese American Youth Award, 1 of 3 to receive $500 award
Chemistry Olympiad (plan to compete, don’t know results yet)
Tutor for AP World History and Chemistry
Science Olympiad, Treasurer, 2020, fourth place Disease Detectives, 2018-2020
Las Vegas High School Honor Band clarinetist, 2017-2020
Las Vegas Youth Orchestra Symphonic Band Member, 1st chair, 2015-2018
Nevada Chamber Orchestra, clarinetist, 2018-2020
60+ hours of volunteer work, National Junior Honor Society, 2016-2017
100+ hours of volunteer work, National Honor Society, 2019-2020
Nominated for LLC blood cancer fundraising competition
Co-founded Jazz Club, Treasurer 2019-2020

Planning on getting rec letters from
-my biotechnology teacher since I am going to have her for four years in senior year
-either AP calculus/AP chemistry teacher, both really like me and are really good at letters

Assuming essays are gonna go fine

Any other things I’m missing I can reply in the comments if I have the information for it.

2

Hey! I was accepted this year and your stats look amazing. I’m assuming you’re applying ED which would also give you a better chance. I think one of the things that made my app stand out was a summer program in Boston at Northeastern. I definitely recommend looking into a summer program in the area at BU or a school like Northeastern. If you do it at BU it’ll definitely show you’re interested which will also help your app. Good luck!

3

Thank you for your reply! I was thinking of taking a summer trip to go to BU, what activities would you recommend I do besides just visiting the campus/seeing the school?

4

I definitely recommend visiting Charles River around sunset time it’s gorgeous. Newbury street is also great for shopping. I also recommend just getting to know the area. Maybe stay a couple of days and learn ab Boston and places near BU.

5

Will definitely do that if possible. Which summer program did you do? I got a flyer advertising those but they are definitely pricey.

6

I did Northeastern’s summer program (2 weeks) it’s called a pre college program on their website. It’s a bit pricey but they do offer financial aid which they did cover more than 50% for me. I did Bioengineering but they have many diff topics. They take you around Boston and to all the popular places and you get to go off the campus a lot to tour Boston yourself. It’s honestly a great experience you’ll fall in life with the area and Boston will become so easy to navigate even after a week. I believe BU also has a summer program but I don’t know much about it… it’ll definitely show demonstrated interest though and I’m sure it’s just as great!

7

Perfect, thank you! And last question sorry haha. Would an interview make much of a difference? I have heard about people interviewing at high level colleges but I’ve also heard how some it doesn’t make a difference.

8

Does BU even offer interviews?

9

I know for some programs (ie. med program I’m pretty sure), they do interviews which I’m sure would be beneficial to your application if you are a people person and think the interview will make a difference. I’m not sure if they do interviews for regular applicants it might be only by request from BU.

10

Okay that’s what I was thinking, thank you. Do you happen to have your stats by chance? Since you were accepted right?

11

BU does not offer interviews except for applicants to the combined BA/MD program.

12

Since the program I am applying to is BA/MA is that different?

13

@ryethelion34 No

14

So if I wanted to apply for that program I would need to set up an interview?

15

@ryethelion34 My No meant that there are no interviews. except for BA/MD applicants.

16

I had a low gpa due to attendance issues bc of an illness so it was a 91 W, 1380 SAT, national honor society, social studies honor society, Italian world language honor society and seal of biliteracy candidate, founder of mindfulness club, writer for school newspaper, manager at my job, volunteer w special needs children at a gym, teachers assistant for a year, varsity track for a year, volunteer at animal shelter, 15 aps straight a’s senior year and straight a’s one b junior year

17

Jeez 15 APs sounds like a killer. That still sounds great though! What major did you pick?

18

Ahh okay thank you

19

I chose neuroscience and philosophy but I’m planning on just doing neuroscience along with pre-med requirements.

20

Sounds great. Good luck and congrats on getting in!