Chance me for HYPSM?

<p>I know all HYPSM are basically reach for everyone, but I just want a better idea of what I need to improve on. I'm in 11th grade right now.</p>

<p>I'm also Asian, something to consider</p>

<p>Weighted GPA: 4.6 (10-12) 4.412 (Academic)</p>

<p>Currently taking: AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP US History, AP Physics B, AP Psychology, AP English Language, Calculus 3/Linear Algebra</p>

<p>Past Classes: AP World History, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Sciences, AP Spanish</p>

<p>9th grade PSAT: 233 (Highest out of all 3 years)
ACT: 36</p>

<p>SAT II:
Chemistry 800
Math II C 800</p>

<p>Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award
2013 AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>Interned for a chemistry lab at UCSD over summer</p>

<p>Extra curriculars:
Academic Team
Quizbowl
Science Bowl
Science Olympiad
Tutoring Club (Founder and President)
Chess Club</p>

<p>Volunteer at a mentally disabled children's school, 3 years and counting
Regional Chapter President of a nonprofit student-run homeless fundraising charity group</p>

<p>My biggest concern is that I have no major awards or honors, and pretty typical, not so special EC's. I'm applying to some summer research programs this year, will see how that turns out.</p>

<p>Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>

<p>You pretty much hit the nail on the head. You lack those major awards/special ECs. Try and get those summer research positions, write some kickass essays, get some awesome letters of recommendation, and I say you have a decent shot if you apply to all of them (and the other ivies).</p>

<p>You are very academic-driven if you’re going to only submit these ECs to the university. I suggest you immediately contextualize your ECs further. It is perfectly fine to do generic ECs, but it is not fine to describe in such a way that make them sound generic. Be sure to think long and hard about how your ECs reflect your personality, and if possible, do special ECs. Be unique.</p>

<p>Right now every school is High Reach</p>

<p>Could you elaborate more on what you mean by contextualizimg my EC’s? Do you mean sound less generic in my application? Thanks</p>

<p>Bump!!!</p>

<p>@kei04086</p>

<p>Yes. You should try to sound less generic in your application. A lot of Asians have similar stats like you, so it’s quite dangerous to submit your application like that. For example, instead of saying that you volunteered at a mentally-handicapped school, explain your role there, for example: teacher?</p>

<p>[Applying</a> Sideways | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways]Applying”>Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions)</p>

<p>@Skyrior</p>

<p>Ah I see. Assuming I made my application sound less boring and I got good letters of recs/essays, what do you think my chances would be?</p>

<p>Also, how helpful are qualifying for AIME and national chem Olympiad?</p>

<p>Qualifying for the AIME doesn’t mean much to MIT, unless you’re also qualifying for the USAMO.</p>

<p>Would it help for the other schools? How about chem Olympiad?</p>

<p>Chem olympiad, only if you place at the state and or national level. No it would help significantly less for the other schools.</p>

<p>Chem Olympiad or aime would help less?</p>