Chance me for Stanford and Harvard

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

General Info:
Asian
Private Catholic School
California

Statistics:

Weighted GPA: 4.67
Unweighted GPA: 3.98
SAT: 1600
SAT II: Bio 800, Math II 800, Physics 780
Class Rank: 4/400
APs (All 5s): Calc AB, Calc BC, Comp Sci, Bio, Physics C, Mandarin, US History, English Literature
Senior Courses: Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus, AP Physics C: EM, AP English Language, AP Psychology, AP Economics, Visual Arts, Religion

ECs and Awards:

USABO National Finalist (top 20)
National Merit Finalist

Speech and Debate (3 years, top 16 in state for event)
Biology Club (4 years, president)
Math Team (4 years)

Founder of Math tutoring program at local library
President of teen volunteering organization at local library

Essays/Recs: I feel that they are good

I know I meet the requirements in academics to be considered for Harvard or Stanford. My main selling point is national achievement in the Biology Olympiad competition, so my main question is whether or not this is enough to get me in. I also did decently well in Speech and Debate, although nothing noteworthy, which supplements my application so I don’t come across as a total STEM nerd.

2

You are comfortably in the 99th percentile with the numbers, imo, so definitely no worries there. But this holds true for ANYONE applying to the big schools: you HAVE to differentiate yourself in some way. Yes, you’re nationally recognized, yes you’re clearly academically ready for these schools. But how will the admission officer feel when they read your app?

Is there a quality/experience that separates you, and that isn’t generic? If true and you capitalized in your essays, then I say you have a solid chance. The Speech / Debate is definitely a nice touch. You seem to be into STEM, did you do any research / have any publications? This would confirm the fact that you’re not only good at STEM but showed drive and applied it.

3

…so you weren’t EA at either college?

4

@andyzhou20 In this thread http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1982393-what-are-some-stem-related-internships-for-high-school-students.html you wrote “I’m a freshman in the California bay area, and I am interested in research and internship programs related to STEM in the future. Any ideas?”

And in this thread: http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/1981809-question-where-would-an-applicant-with-high-grades-and-test-scores-be-admitted-but-no-ecs.html you wrote: "So let’s say a senior in high school is applying to college (I’m just asking out of curiosity, this doesn’t apply to me). This person has taken all of the AP courses available at his high school, has gotten As and 5s on all of them, is ranked #1 in his class, has perfect SAT/ACT scores, but doesn’t have any ECs. What do you would be the highest ranking university this person would be admitted to? (Ex. Top 30-40) "

Now, you write that you have the record that you claimed doesn’t apply to you.

Why are you posting BS here and wasting people’s time?

5

The even greater question here would be why you would go snooping around my profile for no reason at all. More people on this website lie than not. I’m not posting BS, I’m asking for the opinion about a high school profile I may strive for.

6

Since it’s theoretical, it’s easier to give honest feedback without risking hurting any feelings. Given you still have time to make choices and change direction my opinion is that although those scores would get you in the range that you’d get a reading at the top schools, the ECs and outside school life wouldn’t make a very interesting application. If the main selling point would be finalist in the Bio Olympiad, that’s fantastic but by itself not sure it’s enough given how flat the rest sounds. Think how many apps the AOs see that look almost exactly like this.

What can you do that shows you are different and unique as a person? It would be great if it were something outside school to take one of your interests to the next level. Right now this app would read like someone who only spends time at school and in the library - top colleges like to see an outside life. The good thing is you still have time to do interesting things… so start thinking and exploring.

7

Because you don’t pass the smell test! And you are lying because you don’t have the stats you claim. By you own admission, you are striving for them. That is good and after achieving them, then post. Don’t be a pretender.