Chance me for UChicago, Duke, Rice, Northwestern

<p>Applying early action to UChicago and regular decision to the rest.
I am in the science/math/engineering magnet program at the #1 school in my state, and #60something in the nation (ranked by Newsweek or USNews - one of those two).
It's a very rigorous program, which my school profile will entail, and it requires that I take 8 classes a day for all 4 years instead of 7. I've just been stretched out thin, so if you're wondering why my GPA and SAT scores aren't that good, that's why.
GPA: 3.7 unweighted, 4.4 weighted
SAT: 740 W, 630 CR, 700 math (I know, horrible, but I had stomach issues that day. Hopefully I'll do better when I take it again in October)
SATII's: 720 Bio (M), 790 MathII</p>

<p>Coursework:
Magnet = classes required part of my magnet program
AL = advanced level; my school profile calls it 'beyond AP' with regards to rigor/depth
9th grade:
Honors US History
Spanish 2
Magnet Precalculus AB (my magnet program's math sequence is very convoluted. Basically they put algebra2 and precalc and some units of higher math together into 2 years of 'precalc ab', 'precalc c', 'functions b'.)
Magnet Chemistry (condensed into 1 semester)
Magnet Physics (condensed into 1 semester)
Honors English 9
Magnet Computer Science
Magnet Research and Experimentation
Gym</p>

<p>10th grade:
Magnet Algorithms and Data Structures
AP Government
Magnet Biology
Magnet Earth Science
Magnet Principles of Engineering
Magnet Precalculus C/Functions B
Spanish 3
Honors English 10</p>

<p>11th grade:
AL Analytical Chemistry (1 semester course)
AL Biochemistry (1 semester course)
AL Cell Physiology (1 semester course)
College Test Prep (1 semester course)
AP BC Calculus
AP Psychology
AP Statistics
Spanish 4
Magnet Research and Design/Senior research project A
Honors English 11 (chose not to take AP Lang)</p>

<p>12th grade:
Studio Art (1st semester), Chorus (second semester)
AL Multivariable Calculus
Senior Research Project B
Honors English 12 (chose not to take AP Lit)
AP World History
AP Biology (double period)
AL Genetics</p>

<p>To explain the senior research project.. The senior reserach project is an integral part of my magnet program, where students do, well, research (in my case, laboratory research) in some institution during their summer before senior year, and then write a research paper and enter some competitions.
I did my project on using certain drugs in certain cancer cell lines. I was in a lab at Georgetown University. I plan to send an abstract as a supplement.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
I volunteered in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade at George B Thomas Learning Academy, or "Saturday School". It offers extra classroom instruction to children in grades K-8. I was a tutor/teacher assistant.
I also volunteered 2 summers (summer after 9th and summer after 10th) at an elementary school for their summer program.</p>

<p>I founded and am president a club at my school called GenerationZ. Our mission is to better the community by helping other students with their studies (yes, more tutoring). It's been very successful, and we even expanded to create a 'chapter' at another high school in our county.</p>

<p>Others:
National Spanish Honors Society
Glee Club
Interact club (raise money to support various charities; we also host International Night - I performed, as the closing act last year, Time To Say Goodbye)
Biology Club</p>

<p>Music:
I've played piano since age 4.
I sing classical/opera music and plan to submit a vocal arts supplement.</p>

<p>Recommendations:
I will be getting a rec from my magnet bio/cell phys/biochem/genetics (i've had her for many classes) teacher, and one from my AP Psych teacher.</p>

<p>Okay, so I know my GPA and SAT are extremely low compared to the average applicant to these schools, but I think my essays will portray me as someone very interesting and unique.</p>

<p>Please be honest.</p>

<p>Other info:
My school doesn’t rank students.
I got 5’s on all my APs except a 3 on AP Government.</p>

<p>bump…?</p>

<p>bump… again?</p>

<p>I’d say so. At that rate, why not apply to Harvard or Brown? Nothing is guaranteed, but you have a very intense record that is definitely in your favor.</p>

<p>Really? Because I’m terribly worried about my SAT score being too low. UChicago doesn’t even look at writing, which is ironically my best section. And my CR and math are reaallyyyy low.</p>