Princeton
Harvard
Yale
Columbia
MIT
Johns Hopkins
Duke
Unweighted GPA: 99
Weighted GPA: 110
Rank: 1/350
AP course load (including senior year):
Environmental Science (5), Human Geography (5), Chemistry (5), World History (5), Seminar (5), Statistics (5), Physics 1 (5), Biology (5), United States History (5), English Language and Composition (5), Research (5)
Senior:
AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism
AP Physics C Mechanics
AP Calculus BC
AP United States Government and Politics
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Psychology
SAT (total and sections): 1600 800RW 800M (Superscore)
ACT (total and sections): 36 (English: 35, Math: 36, Reading: 35, Science: 36)
SAT Subject Tests:
Math II 800
Physics 800
Biology M 800
Chemistry 800
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
- ISEF Finalist
- Regeneron Scholar
- All-State Vocalist
- All-State Track
- National Merit Finalist (PSAT: 1520)
Extracurriculars:
1.) Research Science Institute
2.) NIH Summer Internship Program
3.) President/Founder of an Online Nonprofit Organization in Support of Women in STEM Fields
4.) Qualifier in USABO, USNCO, and USAMO
5.) ASB (Secretary) SHS (President) MHS (President) Tri-M (Co-President)
6.) Internship with New York State Senator
7.) Drama
8.) Vocal
9.) Dance
10.) Cross Country/Track
State (if domestic applicant): NY
High school type: Public
Gender: Female
Race: South Asian (Indian)
Hooks: N/A
The biggest pit I can see you falling into is wasting all your essays on research. Since it’s something you’re passionate about, it’s not wrong to write one or two about your experiences there. But don’t leave AOs with the impression that research and test-taking is all you’re made of. Utilize that drama, track, and ASB.
You have all the qualifications. One thing to look into is why you’re applying to all of these. Yale will give you a vastly different college experience and alum network than JHU or MIT.
Don’t make any silly mistakes on your essays (like messing up the college’s name) and do some in-depth research into each one so you know what type of student they’re looking for.
Your stats are excellent. You have a chance at any university. However, acceptance at top 10 US universities is very hard to predict, and depends on a lot more than stats.
Being Asian will not help you, as I am sure you know if you have followed the Harvard lawsuit. My understanding is that Caltech is more stats oriented than other top schools, which might give you a better chance there.
I agree with @penguin2 that you should do some research on each school that you are applying to and try to understand which schools would be the best fit for you and why. If you can answer “Why ?” convincingly this is likely to help your chances.
Clearly you also need to apply to safeties. Given your excellent stats if you can afford them the top schools in Canada might be close to being safeties. None of them are quite “top 10”.
Yes, you have the stats and everything else they will be looking for. The only thing is the demographic (ORM and oversubscribed state). Apply as far away from NY, and binding ED to one of the top 10, and you should have a good chance. Have a good backup ED2 option just in case.