Race: Indian (Asian)
School Type: Public Magnet – top 3 in state
GPA (unweighted) : 3.96 (I think)
GPA (Weighted) : 4.6 something
ACT: 33 (35 E 35 M 33 R 30 S) – will retake
SAT IIs : Math 2: 760 - will retake, and will be taking physics
AP Scores: Calc AB: 5 Lang: 4 US Gov: 5 (physics 1 physics 2 and world were 3 - not submitting these)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC AP Environmental Science AP Literature and Composition AP Macro Economics AP Micro Economics Engineering Design and Development Honors Band and Orchestra General PE (I need the last two in order to graduate)
ACTIVITIES:
Shri Satya Sai Organization (2015), Bangalore, India
Adventist Health Care Center (2 hours per week, 2013-2014), Rockville, Maryland
Junior Tennis Instructor, Quince Orchard Swim and Tennis Club (1.5 – 3 hours per week, 2012-2014)
Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Bike Loaner Program (4 hours per week, 2013)
2016 Piedmont Environmental Award $1000 - Money being used for independent research project
Accepted to “Introduction to Math and Physics through Fire Dynamics” program at University of Maryland College Park (starting later this summer)
2015-2016 FIRST Technology Challenge Team
3rd place Connect Award
2014-2015 FIRST Technology Challenge Team
Judge’s Award
Intern at the National Cancer Institute (2015 - present)
Intern at Johns Hopkins University LCSR
Selected to participate in the Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Summer Program -Condensed 4-week Undergraduate Engineering Program - Earned 3 Johns Hopkins University credits
Captain - Engineering Club (2015-2016)
Captain - Investment Club (2015-2016) Participated in University of Pennsylvania Wharton 2015-2016 Investment Competition (2015-2016) – didnt place or anything like that.
3rd place Montgomery Country Final Frontiers Slow Roller Competition
2016 MIT Lemelson Grant Competition Semifinalist
2015 MIT Lemelson Grant Competition Semifinalist
Finalist - Maryland Blue Ocean Entrepreneurship Competition (2016)
Poolesville High School 2013-2014 FIRST Robotics Team
Poolesville High School Varsity Tennis Team (2013-2016) - Maryland Scholar Athlete Award (3 years) - 3 Varsity Letters - member of QOSTC Junior Tennis Team
Potomac Valley Youth Philharmonic (2014-2015)
Strathmore Performance Spring Gala 2014
Potomac Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra (2013)
Strathmore Performance Spring Gala 2013
Potomac Valley Youth Concert Orchestra (2012)
Black Hills Suzuki School of Music (2001 – 2012) –
@ sgopal2 my school doesn’t do class rank. I am in Maryland and my intended major is either computer science or mech engineering. right now I am thinking comp sci as the most likely.
@thetennisking
Everything looks great, but as everyone else is asking, where do you think you stand in terms of class rank? Also, do you have good relationships with teachers for recs?
other than that, work hard on your essays. Duke will probably be a mid reach for you and ivies a high reach (as it is for everyone else)
@Pokeman1 My school doest do class rank. I expect somewhere between top 5 - 10% but it wil not be submited with my application. I have a good relationship with my teachers and one of my teachers is known for writing excellent recs and I have a very good relationship with them.
@ClarinetDad16 Im still thinkig Duke ED. I have had a connection with Duke since I was little. I used to live nearby when I was 3 years old and also used to visit the Duke Gardens daily. My dad also did his Postdoc there and I participated in a “study” there when I was 3 years old.
Ive done the most research on Duke, and for what im currently interested in, Duke seems to be a really good fit, and again, its been my top choice school for as long as I can remember.
Really strong profile, alhough I feel like you’re doing unnecessary work by retaking the Math II Subject Tests (750+, in my opinion, is the target range for the most selective institutions). You definitely have a chance at the schools you listed and will likely get into at least one of them, but the nature of these schools are such that you can’t reliably bank on getting accepted into them. Do you have some backup matches or safeties as well? Again, I do think you have very decent chances for the listed schools, but you should err on the side of caution (:.
My guess is that you will be rated as follows:
HS Curriculum: 5
Achievement: 4
Recommendations: 4
Essays: 3-4
ECs: 3-4
Test scores: 3
Total score: 44-48
Based upon this I would say that it will be difficult for you to get an outright acceptance. However your ACT score could be a bit higher. Don’t lose hope, you still have a decent chance if you apply ED.
If I were you and my heart was with Duke then I would definitely apply there ED, but if not, Cornell is still very reputable and I feel like you still have a very solid chance getting in there even with RD. Chance back?
To the OP, I agree with @cbow17 . ED to Duke is a reach, but not a high reach. RD to Cornell is a low reach, so you have a good shot at getting in there. HYPSM are all reaches, but you obviously have a shot. I’d expect you to possibly get into one RD. Have you considered UChicago? Also, I’d appreciate it if you chanced back!