<p>I'll be applying for the 2012-13 school year and am seriously considering Early Decision. I intend to apply for the engineering program.
Here's all my stats and stuff:
[ *] SAT Verbal: 710 (meh, I KNOW I could do better. Worth retaking?)
[ *] SAT Math: 790
[ *] SAT Writing: 780
[ *] SAT Total: 2280
[ *] SAT II: Chem 800, Physics 780, Math II 800, Lit 750
[ *] ACT: 36 (35 in English)
[ *] AP taken/scores: Calc BC (expect 5), Language (expect 4), Physics (expect 5). Will take next year: Chem, Literature, German, Statistics, Psychology
[ *] GPA weighted: 4.62/4.83
[ *] GPA unweighted: 4.0
[ *] Rank or % estimate: 2/450</p>
<p>[ *] Essays: Still thinking of ideas
[ *] Teacher Recs: Should be good
[ *] Counselor Rec: Probably will be generic
[ *] Hook (if any): In my school's 50 year history, nobody has gone to an Ivy League. Neither of my parents have college degrees.</p>
<p>[ *] State or Country: IL
[ *] School Type: Public
[ *] Ethnicity: White
[ *] Gender: Male
[ *] Legacy Yes/No: No
[ *] Recruited Yes/No: No
[ *] Important ECs: Drum major in the marching band for 2 years, tutor at a tutoring center, 8 years playing the clarinet, 4 years of math team, 4 years of Scholastic Bowl, 1 year of speech team, 2 years of NHS, 2 years of Link Crew (freshman support/leadership group), National Merit Semi-Finalist (hopefully Finalist eventually).</p>
<p>Basically my school sucks at preparing kids for Ivy Leagues, but I've succeeded there well beyond the school's standards. Hopefully I'll be the first to get in to an Ivy League.</p>
<p>I like my test scores, but my lack of awards (and opportunities) sucks.</p>