Hi, I would like to get your feedback on my application so far and get a view of my chances for my reach schools.
I am currently a Junior.
Intended major: Chemical and biomolecular engineering
SAT: 1560 (790 math - I’m really pissed about that- and 770 reading/writing)
SAT Subject tests: 760 Spanish and 800 Chemistry so far (will take Physics and Math II in June, Biology in August)
GPA: Cumulative = 4.21/4.00, Freshman year = 4.00/4.00, Sophomore Year = 4.14/4.00, Junior Year = 4.75/4.00 (for first semester at least)
* A note about GPA: while I have never gotten a B, I have gotten 3 A-'s, but I didn’t factor a +/- in the calculation.
AP’s:
None freshman year (freshmen are not allowed to take AP courses)
AP Spanish sophomore year (only 2 AP’s available to sophomores, can only take a language if you skipped a grade, which I did)
AP Stats/AP Chem/APUSH junior year
**Senior year I will most likely take AP Calc BC/AP Macro/AP Bio/AP Physics
EC’s (Not including clubs):
Captain and founding member of a community FRC robotics team (plan for all 4 years)
Piano since 2nd grade (Have passed the MTAC level 10 exams with honors)
Varsity tennis (2 years)
Volunteered at a local community center the summer after 9th grade (over 125 hours) (not super important, but it is something)
Intern at a local peptide synthesis/biotech startup in the manufacturing sector
Self studying a lot of higher level chemistry (just for fun, not really an extracurricular)
Future Plans:
Apply for an Apple engineering internship/SSP over the summer (whichever I get into)
Currently am preparing for the Chemistry Olympiad (if I am lucky, I will get honors/high honors)
I will gladly provide any additional information you will need.
What do you think are my chances?
EDIT: My PSAT score (just took it in October) is 1500 with a 225 selection index, so I’m almost 100% sure I made semifinalist status. (750 math/750 reading)
One last thing I forgot to mention earlier: I have one teacher that I will certainly ask for an LoR; we have a great relationship. However, I’m still debating who else I should ask. For speculation purposes, let’s say my overall rating is a 7/10.
I also don’t really have an idea about what to put in my essays, so let’s assume another 7/10.
I agree with @ucbalumnus. I think that it is worth applying, but you also need to have safeties.
Also, run the NPC, find out what your budget is, and make sure that you can afford these schools. Many very strong very high stats students go to schools that are not the academically highest ranked school that they are accepted to but are affordable, and do very well (both in school and after graduating).
@ucbalumnus I already do consider these reaches, they are basically reaches for everyone. I just wanted to get an idea of what my chances were for these reaches in particular.
@DadTwoGirls My family, fortunately, can afford these schools. With that said, thank you for the advice.
Only someone on the inside of the admissions process of a given school who can also see your subjectively graded application components (e.g. essays, recommendations) can give you any answer more than that a school in this list is a reach.
yes u have a good chance of getting in as your sat score score is above their 50% percentile and u are not gonna ask for aid, also u have a good gpa. These are still really competitive schools so its a gamble
My first semester junior grades are in and I got all A’s, one A- and one A+.
I have four A-'s now. My school does not factor in a +/- in GPA calculation, so I technically have a 4.0. Do I go by this or should I look up online gpa calculators for a better idea of my real gpa?