Ethnicity: Asian
GPA (W): 4.8
GPA (UW, Grade 9-11): 4.0
Class rank: (1/496)
SAT Composite: 1540
SAT II: Math 2 (800), US History (790)
APs taken: Calc BC, APUSH, Macro+Micro, Lit, Gov, Psych, APWH, Calc AB, Bio
APs for Senior Year: Chem, Physics, Comp Sci, French
Extracurriculars:
National US Youth Chess Olympiad (15 out of around 2200 people are usually selected) and National Master in Chess
Founder and CEO of startup chess tutoring business
2x State finalist in speech and debate
Qualified for states twice in Science olympiad
Writer for a chess magazine
Run a blog in Chess with around 1000 readers
Chess outreach program at local library and retirement home
Will be volunteering this summer for program assisting special needs kids with speech and debate
100 hours in peer tutoring other students
Started and president of chess club at school since ninth grade
First chair in school’s orchestra since 9th grade and have received a few superior ratings and won a few tournaments
I also volunteer and play violin at the local retirement home occassionally
NHS
Founder of debate club at our school and have been President since ninth grade
Developed an app assisting students and our local school’s transportation system
President of Math Club
Internship twice a week with a lawyer
Founder and President of International Public Policy Forum Club at our school
Intended Major: Political Sciences
I plan on applying SCEA to Harvard but I’m not sure yet, and thanks in advance if you could chance me!
That’s a really impressive application. You’ve accomplished a lot during high school and shown leadership on several of the activities. I think you’ve got a pretty good chance at those colleges.
Definitely apply SCEA or EA somewhere at the top of your list. Maybe also apply to a top state flagship honors program through rolling or EA admissions. Goal is to be in a position to only have to apply to reachy schools by RD time, but make sure you have some matches and safeties scoped out.
Not to discourage you but my dentist’s son, has similar achievement in Chess and also national ranked in a unique sport, Near perfect GPA not as high as yours but was from a nationally ranked high school, got rejected by every ivies this year.
If those three are roughly equal, then ED to UPenn to give yourself the best shot. I would agree that you would be most likely deferred then rejected if you SCEA to Harvard or Princeton.
You have a good chance at these schools because of some great accomplishments, but I must say you do look a bit like the generic Asian who does only one type of academic activity. In your application just try to highlight your other interests outside of just these academic ECs. Just try to be a little bit more interesting. These ECs are nothing “interesting”, but you have accomplished a lot in them. This can make you stand out.
I would say all these schools are reaches, but that’s only because it’s kind of a crapshoot regardless of how exceptional you are. You have above average chances, but don’t bet on having a very high chance of getting (unless you can leverage some connections or are wealthy). This is unlikely for even top students
Also, @pieguy54321, it is impossible to call any Ivy League school a match lol. That’s a completely unrealistic statement and you really shouldn’t be saying that. Especially one like UPenn, not even Cornell lol. Penn is definitely going to be easier for him to get in than Princeton/Harvard (unless you apply to Wharton), but nonetheless nothing close to a match.
I think Harvard and Princeton are reaches for you. H and P don’t offer a major in chess. Of the AP tests you have taken how many AP classes have you taken? That is what is important not the number of AP tests you have taken
Congrats on your terrific success and the hard work paying off. You will have so many great options. you’re a super smart kid and you will understand that the numbers for admission to h and p are sobering. As an example…
There are approx 260 to 280 spots per gender per year at Harvard for the traditional non connected student.
That means if you are not an athlete, an urm, a Dean or directors pick, a legacy, a development case, international or faculty or staff child.
That’s 260 spots for the world. There are also z -listers that sneak into the mix from the prior year. In what numbers no one knows.
There are 37000 hs. Each usually with a star or two or 10. Not all at your level but there are some for sure. All competing (not all but you get the point) for those 260 to 280 seats.
Your success will depend on your ability to demonstrate the special qualities that make you unique. Get someone to advocate for you in Committee. That will come with your story. Whatever it is. And if they miss it. Too bad for them. Cal Michigan UCLA cal tech or usc would love to have you I would bet.
ED at Penn would give you the best statistical chance of admission to one of these three, but I recommend only applying ED if that school is your favorite. SCEA at H or P is not binding. SCEA admit rate at H is about 15% and it’s about 16-17% at P. (check me – I know i’m fairly close though). Penn’s ED rate last I checked was like 21-22%.
What are some other schools you’re considering and do you have academic, location/weather, school size, or sports/social preferences? How much is your family willing to spend?
Wow, thanks everyone for your input!! To address the one-dimensional asian thing, yes, I do appear as so, but I am hoping that my essays can show a completely different side of me. To collegedad13, yes, I have taken every AP class. Moreover, I am applying to Political science, which isn’t often something asians major in, so that may be (emphasis on may) something that could differentiate me.