<p>My Bio. teacher doesn’t know me that well outside of the classroom, so I don’t know if that would be advisable, but do you think it would help? I thought those competitions signified people enthusiastic about a scientist’s career. Although it would really boost my application, I don’t think I’d be able to excel in that competition. Namely, because most the winners have been immersed in research from a young age. But I will look in to it. Thank you!</p>
<p>At this point it would be difficult to change your chances at these schools, the best way would of course be Intel STS (siemens is too soon), though if you haven’t started your project it will be hard to become a semifinalist, I’ve already put a couple hundred hours into the lab. It is good that you excel within your school, but that’s not the only thing you need to get into HYPS. There are a huge number of students that have great ECs, scores, and ranking, without something really outstanding HYPS are always reaches. However, you should apply to HYPS anyways, the worst thing that can happen is that you get rejected.</p>
<p>Thank you very much! And just for the record, I know HYPS will always be a reach for me. Haha, if they weren’t I would have never made this post. And the reason I brought up excelling within my school was to point out that my school’s negative record shouldn’t reflect on my potential. What percentage chance would you say I had at any of them? And best of luck to you!</p>
<p>You are a great candidate for these schools. I really like the Smile Train thing, especially since you’ve done it consistently and ongoing. Not your stereotypical vacation service project. The Utah thing helps, but probably not a lot. Where in UT are you? West, East, PC, Waterford and a few others have some elite college successes.</p>
<p>Overall, I think you’re a great applicant with realistic chances at these schools. How realistic? 10-30%, maybe. Surely some “lesser” but still great schools would fawn over an applicant of your caliber.</p>
<p>Good luck. I’ll be rooting for you.</p>
<p>To give you a clearer percentage I would probably say about 15%, though I tend to be pessimistic. Though logically if you apply to all of them the chance of not getting into at least one is then just slightly above 50%, theoretically speaking. Good luck man.</p>
<p>Sherpa, I’m not close to those schools at all; I’m really down south, close drive to Vegas. 
Thanks for your advice/input guys, really appreciated!</p>
<p>As in Cedar City/St. George or rural? If rural, that could play better than the Utah angle.</p>
<p>Lol, “Harry Potter Club”</p>
<p>Dude, when I saw those stats, I seriously dropped my jaw… lol
I think you have a great chance at all those schools! No seriously, you have, like, stellar stats. Keep it up!
Chance me please? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/974360-chance-uc-colleges-special-case.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/974360-chance-uc-colleges-special-case.html</a></p>
<p>Sadly, not rural. I never expected to use the Utah angle as a true advantage. I just brought it up in previous posts because people were saying it would be a negative for my application. Haha, yeah, I’m kind of a Harry Potter fanatic!</p>
<p>“Ethnicity: Asian” <---- slim.</p>
<p>Asian…yes
Stereotypical Asian…no
Chances? Better than the standard unhooked lottery applicant.</p>
<p>You definitely have a solid chance, especially with the academic side of your application. Your EC’s aren’t bad, but they don’t really show you have a passion for anything in particular. If I were you, I’d really focus on your essays, they’ll probably be the crucial part of your applications.</p>
<p>Thanks all! I’ve gotten a lot of helpful advice, and I’d consider this post a success. I’ll take your advice to heart, and hopefully everything will work out! Thanks again! And good luck to everyone in similar situations!</p>
<p>Hey guys, just an update. I got into Harvard Early Action! Thank you so much for all your help! I can’t even express how much this means to me. Also, wish me luck on my other college apps!</p>
<p>Another update: Accepted everywhere with the exception of Stanford. That was another top choice school, but oh well. **** happens. I’m so excited!</p>