Chance Me for Low Acceptance Rate Schools (Please Give Advice)

Stats
SAT I (by section): 800 M, 700 R
SAT IIs: Math 750
APs: AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP U.S. History, A.P. Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC
GPA (UW, W): 3.8 UW, 4.4 W
Rank: N/A
Other stats: Very difficult schedule.

Subjective:
ECs listed on app:
Science Bowl (9th and 11th)- An afterschool class filled with students eager about
science. Students split up into teams and attempt to answer the most questions.

Stage Craft (10th and 9th Grade)- A class that helps create the show by building
structures and laying out props. Served as stage manager for “Arsenic and Old Lace”
and worked as backstage crew for performances like “David and Lisa” and the dance
concerts.

Quiz Bowl (10th and 11th)- Similar to science bowl, it is an after school class where
students split up into teams and attempt to answer the most questions.
Internship for my cousin (2016 Winter)- I worked at an engineering company in New
Mexico: Dekker/ Perich/ Sabatini. For one week, I looked at the different factors that go into a making a building.
For the most part, I worked at the office helping to assist my co-workers, but I also got to
visit buildings under construction being built by the company.

Newspaper Staff(11th Grade)- Worked on the newspaper as a staff member. I
published two articles on our school’s website Junior year and plan on writing more next
year.

Peer Counselor (11th and 12th Grade)- I am tasked with talking to students about their
problems and provide them resources in order to help solve them. I also talk with the
freshmen about what high school is like and answer any of their questions.

AMC (9th, 10th, and 11th Grade)- The American Mathematics Association (AMC) tests
students on their knowledge of math by giving a standardized test. I have participated
in this test for three consecutive years.
Math Competition (11th Grade)- Similar to Quiz Bowl and Science Bowl, a group of
students individually try to answer two complex math questions in a limited amount of
time.

Convinced the Upper School administration to switch to dual flush toilets- As a junior, I
created a project with the goal of getting the school to switch to dual flush toilets. I
calculated how much money our school would save on the water bill, made it into a
presentation and presented to the head of the school. The project was a success as
the head of the school said the school was going to make the switch to more
eco-friendly plumbing in the near future. He was even considering using dual flush
toilets in the new building.

Summer Internship (2017 Summer)- Working at Johns Hopkins over the summer. I am
working on comprehending machine learning. Machine learning can help one look at
a group of data and notice patterns that might help predict certain outcomes. I also
learned how to use R, a computer programming tool.

Achieved Second Conference for Track and Field- In the spring of 2016, I was awarded
the achievement of the second conference for getting third place in both the 400
meter and the 4 by 400 meter

Job/Work Experience: Internships (2), Job, Dog Walking in my neighborhood.
Essays (subject and responses): How I came unprepared for my Cross Country and I learned to prepare better
Teacher Recs: Good
Counselor Rec: Good

Location/Person
State: Maryland
School Type: Competitive Private
Grade: Junior
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Male

By the way, my dream school is northwestern

Good stats! Don’t try to just fill up the EC columns. For example, if I were you. I would not put that you participated in the AMC 3 times, since qualifying for AIME (score of 100) is considered “good” for elite schools. If you didn’t qualify for AIME but your scores over the three years improved, then put that.

For the math competition: did you have to audition for it at school? Or was it just based on participation…

What I’m saying is that you should put only the things you are the most confident about your app. Participation in something is good, but sometimes might seem like you are trying to fill up space.

Definitely check the NPC, and apply to safety and match schools. Also, there is good advice above in post #2.

That said, I think that you have a pretty good chance.

You seem like a solid student and I like your story about the dual flush toilets. But your essay topic, yawn. Anything more interesting than that? Why not your dual flush toilets for an essay? Much more interesting, IMO.