<p>Just as the title states, I am looking for an idea of my chances for the program.</p>
<p>102 WGPA/ 96 UW at a public school in NY, we aren't a bad school by any means but we are not know for sending kids to ivies. We had one student this past year go to Brown and one to Cornell. I have taken the most rigorous coursework available.
36 ACT with a 9 essay, 2270 SAT with a 10 essay(800 CR 760 M 710 W). My writing is not bad, but the reason for the relatively low essay scores is my atrocious handwriting.
230 PSAT, which I hope almost guarantees NMSF status
5-AP Chem, 5-AP USH, 5-AP Lit</p>
<p>I don't know how much EC's factor into the equation, but I'll give a pretty general overview:
Past 3 years a Taekwondo instructor(2nd degree black belt) in charge of instructing both children and adult students.
Same timeframe, part of a leadership group within this organization who conducted fundraisers for local nonprofits. I will go more in depth into this program in my apps, but we raised $2000+ 6 or 7 times for organizations in our community like the ambulance corp and the lions' club. Part of this involved the teaching of basic self defense to underprivileged children in our town.
JV soccer 2 years and Varsity soccer for 2 years, goalkeeper
Travel soccer, 3 years.
Selected for the Rotary Youth leadership award seminar
Nominated for HOBY (a different leadership seminar)
Selected for NY Boys' State, a leadership/government participation seminar run by the Merican Legion and in part by the Marines. I plan to write my common app essay about this experience.
Mu Alpha Theta member
NHS member
Usher at my (Lutheran) church for the past two years
I am currently completing an unpaid internship at Pfizer working with mass spectrometers and analytical chemistry. This is for credit through a program run by SUNY Albany.
Boy Scout for my whole high school career, just finishing up my requirements for Eagle Scout, will have completed this by the time I send out my applications.
Assorted other community service hours for various organizations, including the USO.</p>
<p>Do not send the SAT scores - send them only the ACT. The initial year of the scholars program was very competitive and only a few were selected - these few all had some kind of hook (started a business, etc.) This past year they expanded the program and were less selective. Based upon that, I think you have a good shot. Regardless, you should be accepted to honors as a NMF and get free tuition. The difference between honors with or without scholars may not be big for you - scholars have some interaction with the college big shots, special advisors, and some extra opportunities (social events, team building events, possible research with professors…)</p>
<p>Late reply but I was selected as a University Scholar this year. Your numbers are good but maybe you want to try and do something “big” before you apply. I started a business and worked as an engineer for 4 years (started freshman year of hs), I think that helped me a lot.</p>
<p>edit: as for what Kiddie said, I don’t really agree that they were less selective. ignoring me, and looking at the other Scholars that got in with my class, they are a very serious competition. They all have their “hook” that got them in. I’d definitely say that we are quite on par with the previous year of Scholars. Yes, they admitted more (seventy five) of us, but not because they lowered their standards.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I spoke with some faculty involved in the Scholars program, and they mentioned they tried to maintain the exclusivity of the program while admitting more students. They are doing this by really pushing the Scholars program and getting more people that previously would not have applied to a Northeastern-tier school to apply.</p>
<p>oh, and another thing: character has an incredible amount to do with whether or not you’re admitted. as far as I can tell, they really do an excellent job of screening out people that aren’t really break-the-mold sort of individuals. everyone in the group is the sort of person that really pushes the envelope in one way or another. I think that’s really where the tough part in getting into the scholars program lies - numbers are one thing, but you can’t emulate the character that these people will openly tell you they are looking for.</p>
<p>I used a throwaway because I feel like a total ******* for saying stuff like this because it sounds arrogant, but I’m trying to stress the sort of thing that they go for. Sorry if I sound like a condescending ******!</p>
<p>If you’re likely going to be a NMF, te difference between this and university scholars I don’t think would have a massive impact online experience. Both offer the same scholarship money and honors. USP does things like match you up with a professor to mentor you and provide some extra resources, but they’re not things you couldn’t accomplish on your own. I started as a NMF the year before the USP was established, and I have developed my own mentorship with a professor by getting involved with her research, an she’s really become an advocate for me.
Basically, I wouldn’t stress out about it too much. By this point, you’ve done everything you can in terms of accomplishments. (If they’re looking for a “hook” you’re probably not going to be able to create one in a few months.) So do your best to present yourself in your application, and try to emphasize how you’ve pushed the limits and think outside the box.</p>