Chance me-perfect SAT/PSAT, unsure of ECs

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Forgive me if my formatting is off, I just joined so I will probably make some errors in this thread. If there's any information missing from this post please ask me, I'll edit it in. Thanks!</p>

<p>(Presumably) Applying to:
Harvard
Yale
Princeton
Stanford (first choice)
Dartmouth
UPenn
UNC
Pomona (and possibly Claremont McKenna, I haven't decided yet if I should apply to more than one Claremont school)
SMU
UT at Austin</p>

<p>I'm a caucasian junior at one of the top private schools in the midwest, and I will be applying for financial aid. My school doesn't report ranks, though we do have valedictorians (but it isn't announced until May, far too late to be of use on any applications). GPAs are based on as 12 point scale and there is no weighting system...AP Calculus BC is worth just as much as Music Theory I, unfortunately. A+=12, A=11, and so on. The 12 point GPA isn't sent to colleges; rather, it is converted to a letter grade. 11.8 and up is A+.</p>

<p>GPA (UW): 11.41, which will be reported to colleges as an A.
Rank: 1/107, but it won't be reported. </p>

<p>SAT I: 2400, taken as a junior
PSAT: 240 (projected NMS/F)
ACT: 35 (taken as a sophomore), taking it again on April 12th so hopefully I'll have a 36 in the end.
SAT II's: 800 Math II, 760 World History, 760 Literature (presumably taking three more at the end of this year...probably US History, Latin, and Japanese, we'll see. I hope to end up with 3 800's, but that's unlikely).</p>

<p>**Courses <a href="all%20full%20year%20unless%20otherwise%20noted">/B</a> (not listing grades, all are either A or A+):</p>

<p>9:
World from 1500
Geometry Accelerated
Latin I
Algebra II Accelerated
English 9
Biology</p>

<p>10:
Chemistry
English 10
AP Art History (considered to be the hardest class at my school, not that the app will note that. I received a 4 on the exam...embarrassing, really, I should have studied more)
Latin II
Precalculus Accelerated
Performing Arts
World from 1500</p>

<p>11:
AP US History
AP English Literature
Latin III
AP Calculus BC
Physics
Advanced Topics in Mathematics (the highest math class my school offers...multivariable calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, etc)</p>

<p>12 (projected):
AP English Language
AP Statistics
AP Economics
AP US Government
AP Psychology
AP Latin (Lyric poetry)
AP Physics
Mandarin Chinese level 1</p>

<p>Note: I signed up for 8 classes for next year. The limit is 7, so I'll have to drop one, which I'll decide once I get my schedule. I'm picking up Chinese because next year is the first year it is being offered.</p>

<p>This year I did an independent study project in theater, for which I wrote and directed a two-act play. It shows up on my transcript and will probably turn up in my recs somewhere.</p>

<p>Next year, I am doing three independent studies: one in modern political philosophy, one in string theory, and one in advanced mathematics (since I'll have run out of higher-level math courses). I may also be doing an independent study in classic literature, but I'm not sure on that one yet. My schedules for 10th, 11th, and 12th grades have all been described by counselors and administrators as "suicidal"...I've basically given myself the most rigorous schedules possible. I'm going to graduate with 7 math credits; the requirement is 3. I'm doubling in almost every subject next year through a combination of courses and independent studies. </p>

<p>I believe I will have taken 12 AP exams in the end. AP Economics requires me to take both the Micro and Macro AP exams, and I will be preparing for and taking the AP Japanese exam on my own. I may also take both Physics AP exams if I have time to prepare adequately, as well as the Environmental Science AP. I could take as many as 14.</p>

<p>Employment: I worked as a host at one of the top restaurants in town last summer, extending a couple of months into Junior year until I found I was unable to handle the busy schedule along with my heavy courseload. I may work there again this summer if I'm in town enough.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: This is what really kills me...I've always been low on ECs. Here goes:</p>

<p>-I've studied Japanese outside of school with a private tutor since the 8th grade. I'm just about fluent. I spent a month last summer in Japan by myself, I'll probably be writing about some of my experiences there on my apps. I have weekly lessons and study independently, translating books and watching Japanese television to further improve my fluency. </p>

<p>-I've been on the math team since the beginning of high school (hold the jokes, please). I've gone to State every year and have won awards at pretty much every competition I've been to. I'm not the best in my state by any means but I have performed well in competitions, as well as on the AMC 12 (I qualified for the AIME this year).</p>

<p>-I was class president both freshman and sophomore years, and I will probably be Student Body President next year (I'll need to win the election in about two weeks, but things are looking pretty good for that).</p>

<p>-I founded the Technology Club at the end of Junior year and serve as its President. I've organized fundraisers, given presentations to the school, and arranged for the creation of a school-wide WiFi network starting next year.</p>

<p>-I'm a member of the Community Service Board, a group of 10 or so students selected from the student body to manage and provide community service opportunities for everyone. I was picked at the end of my Sophomore year, as is typical.</p>

<p>-I became an editor for the school newspaper my Junior year and plan to expand my role next year by creating a website, allowing for online distribution and increased content. I will probably be the Senior Editor (second to the Editor in Chief).</p>

<p>-I started Model UN as a Sophomore and Youth in Government as a Junior, both of which I have loved. I won the Best Statesman award my first time at YIG and plan to continue both through the end of high school.</p>

<p>-I'm a member of the Thespian Society, and I've had leading roles in several plays, starting in 9th grade and continuing (presumably) through senior year.</p>

<p>-I was secretary of the Chess Club sophomore and junior year (I'm not putting it on my apps though...I never went to a meeting and I only held the office because the president is a good friend of mine and he couldn't find anyone else. I'm resigning at the end of this year.). I'll probably hold a different Secretary position next year--possibly the Liberals Club, or the Debate Club.</p>

<p>-This is a weird one, but I spent a good deal of my (very long) winter break this year working on the presidential caucus in Iowa, ultimately helping run a caucus center and learning...quite a bit. I may talk about my experiences in Iowa in my applications. </p>

<p>-Unfortunately, I haven't played any sports since the start of high school. I managed basketball my freshman year and I will probably do at least one sport my senior year (Cross Country or Soccer, as well as Track, potentially), but I fear it may be too little, too late in that respect.</p>

<p>-In terms of community service, aside from being on the Board, I've taught at elementary schools in underprivileged neighborhoods and spent time with Habitat for Humanity. Community Service is...not my strong suit at all. I'll graduate with around 200 hours unless I really step it up next year, at which point it's rather late in the game... </p>

<p>-Odds are I've forgotten something...it's almost 2 in the morning, after all. I'll add anything else that comes to mind at a later date, but I don't believe I'm neglecting anything particularly significant.
**
Honors/Awards:**</p>

<p>Well...my school doesn't tend to hand out awards to underclassmen, so I can't really win anything until the end of this year. I'll probably end up with the Math and English awards, but I'm not going to predict anything...I won't know for another two months.</p>

<p>I took the National Latin Exam in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades (and I'll take it again next year), winning gold medals in 9th and 10th. My 11th grade test results haven't come in yet but I am fairly certain I received a gold medal again.</p>

<p>As mentioned above, I should be a National Merit Semifinalist.</p>

<p>I'll be inducted into my school's Cum Laude Society at the end of this year, which consists of the top 10% of each Junior class.</p>

<p>I won the Best Statesman Award my first year in Youth in Government, though that's probably not app-worthy.</p>

<p>I've also won a number of awards at math contests and debate tournaments, but unless I achieve something truly spectacular (like high placement at nationals, which is unlikely to say the least), I won't put it on my apps. </p>

<p>Other information:</p>

<p>-I'm fluent in English and French, approaching fluency in Japanese, and I'm quite adept with Latin (though one can hardly claim fluency in a dead language). Languages are a passion of mine...I intend to start up Chinese next year, and I may study Spanish independently.</p>

<p>-I'm traveling to Austria and Romania this summer as part of an exchange program. I may also be attending Harvard's summer school, depending on whether or not I win the scholarship my school offers.</p>

<p>-My recommendations should be excellent. Several of my teachers have described me as the best student they've ever taught (I'm flattered but skeptical), and the individuals I'm planning on having write my recommendations are teachers who know me very well. With small class sizes (averaging around 12 students per class, with around 107 in each grade), teachers at my school truly get to know their students. </p>

<p>-My essays will probably involve (to some degree or another) my study of Japanese and my trip to Japan, which involved (among other things) being stranded by myself for hours in Tokyo Narita due to a typhoon, when I was not nearly as proficient in the language as I am now, my work on the Iowa Caucuses, or my interest in languages in general. I really haven't decided yet, but fortunately I have months ahead of me to plan.</p>

<p>Well, I've certainly rambled on for long enough. Do your worst!</p>

2

<p>...You kick butt. Strongest chances possible @ ivies.</p>

3

<p>You are a very good applicant. Your ECs aren't the best; they're kind of a polyglot conglomeration of individual clubs, but nevertheless there aren't too many midwestern kids with those kinds of test scores, that's a hook in itself, for better or worse. Try to increase involvement in two or three of these clubs senior year. But overall you have an above-average chance at the Ivies.</p>

4

<p>I would definitely say you are going to get into a top school. You stats are sick. You are incredible. :)</p>

5

<p>You're amazing. Just make sure to show lots of personality, especially for Stanford. You have the stats and the ECs (yes, they're random, but they aren't boring IMO), now just remind them you're not a robot. Though, just from the way to write about your ECs, you sound like a fascinating individual.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>One question, why retake the ACT when you have a 2400 SAT?</p>

7

<p>Thanks guys! </p>

<p>I really do need to work on my ECs...I'm not sure what all I will be able to do my senior year...certainly all that I'm doing now, but I'm not sure how much additional work I can pick up. My main priority is to pick up a sport or two, which should be possible.</p>

<p>Should I apply early to Stanford? That's my current plan.</p>

<p>As to retaking the ACTs...amusingly, my college counselor required me to. I registered for it prior to receiving my SAT score. I figure I might as well take it, though it won't be too useful.</p>

8

<p>If this is legit, I would say you're in everywhere.</p>

9

<p>One question, something my parents and I have been disagreeing on...which would look better: going to Harvard's summer school this summer or getting a job?</p>

<p>I'm fairly certain the Harvard thing would look way better, but my parents think otherwise. Thoughts?</p>

10

<p>Retaking the ACT is stupid for 2 reasons:</p>

<p>1) You already have a perfect SAT score </p>

<p>2)You already have a near perfect ACT</p>

<p>why do you want to waste your time and money again retaking the ACT? That is really foolish, imo.</p>

11

<p>As I said, my counselor required me to take the ACT again. When I took it as a sophomore I got a 35, and he says he thinks I can do better. I didn't have the perfect SAT score when I registered for the ACT.</p>

<p>In short, I'm basically being forced to by my counselor as well as my parents.</p>

12

<p>Well, if you can argue with them regarding your summer plans, you can about taking the ACT again. I'm not going to pass judgement on whether taking it is a good idea or not, but if you do, I would advise spending minimal time preparing for it so you can devote time to other things, such as excelling in your ECs.</p>

13

<p>Numbers are good.</p>

<p>Show personality, character, passion, to get into HYPS.</p>

14

<p>Since when do counselors have the ability to force you to do anything? Tell him either to pay the 45 dollars for the test or your not retaking it (At least that's what I'd do)</p>

15

<p>Let's be honest. You don't need any of us to tell you your stats are fantastic. All we will do is rub your ego.</p>

<p>Despite this, as you know, the Ivies are always unpredictable, so for ECs, I recommend finding something you particularly like and doing a bunch of things related. Sports never hurt either. And if you are into science, try the Siemens-Westinghouse Competition.</p>

<p>Congrats and keep up the good work.</p>

16

<p>The money's already paid, I'm not spending any time preparing, the only thing it's going to cost me is a few hours on a Saturday morning. The ACT isn't a priority for me at this point though.</p>

<p>I'm mainly concerned with whether or not I'm strong enough of an applicant to get into Stanford. My ECs really drag me down, and I know they place a TON of emphasis on them.</p>

17

<p>You have the academics covered, so I don't know that the summer program is the best use of your time. I would try to do something amazing over the summer EC-wise, either a unique community service project, or follow one of your passions - politics/language etc. and create something that will set you apart. I even think a job would balance your resume more than more academics.
If you don't mind taking the ACT again, just take it. Another student on this site had 2400 on the SAT I and on three SATIIs, and she elected to take the ACT, as well. She received a 36, and is currently weighing her options, which include Harvard and Yale. Just sayin'</p>

18

<p>Do you really need to ask? o.O your stats are at like freak-of-nature level. I've been studying Japanese for as long as you, and I only got 670 on the SAT II. Not fluent, by a far amount of kanji.</p>

<p>Congrats on your amazingness, though. xD I'm impressed. Of course you have an excellent shot at any place you apply.</p>

<p>Lol, Narita is a crappy place to get stranded.</p>

19

<p>you're sooooooo good</p>

20

<p>You're a machine.</p>