<p>Ok, so here's the thing: I have <em>great</em> standardized test scores, but a really sucky EC record... so do I stand a chance? (n.b.: I'm applying next yr)</p>
<p>SAT I - CR: 800 / M: 800 / W: 800 / Total: 2400 (single sitting, taken at 8th grade)</p>
<p>SAT II - M IIC: 800 / Chem: 800 / Physics: 800 / Lit: 780 / World History: 790 / Bio (M) 800</p>
<p>ACT composite - 36</p>
<p>Ok, now for the sucky part:</p>
<p>ECs: Literary Magazine, Math Club, Astronomy Club</p>
<p>Leadership positions: Editor-in-chief of Literary Magazine (10, 11), Vice-captain of Math Team (9, 10, 11), Vice-president of Astronomy Club (9, 10), Captain of Chess team (10)</p>
<p>Honors & awards: USAMO qualifier, City champion for chess, 3rd in state</p>
<p>That's it. Am I totally screwed for my ECs? I have heard of cases with people getting scores similar to mine and still end up getting rejected because of a lack of ECs... I'm worried...</p>
<p>You got a 2400 in eighth grade??? Holy crap you are like some sort of prodigy. Anyway, just do something not nerdy this year/next and you are set for whatever school you apply too. Can you play a sport? Even an intramural would help a lot, you don't have to be good...</p>
<p>from what I can see, your ec's arent that bad
what colleges really want is for you to be passionate in something so def stick with the ec's you have
and a student with perfect sat AND act is pretty rare too</p>
<p>i would say you have a pretty good chance if you really are passionate about the ec's you have right now</p>
<p>yes yes yes stick with your ECs. doing a few more will help, but sticking with the ones you have, regardless of what they are, will be beneficial</p>
<p>I wonder if SAT and ACT are of much value. You got 2400 on SAT in 8th grade and also 36 on ACT, and yet your high school GPA is only 3.0 (you've studied hard for it you said). That tells me that the 8th grade 2400 SAT didn't measure your ability to handle high school courses, or you unconsciously thought you were smart so you didn't study hard in high school. Anyone who scored high on SAT/ACT in middle school needs to be warned.</p>
<p>^ I only recently took the ACT... also, if you've read my prev. post, I srsly didn't slack off - my school is that hard (for me, at least)... maybe I'm only good at taking tests</p>
<p>(btw, I brought my GPA up by a few decimals over the last semester, and will try to break 3.7 by middle of senior yr)</p>
<p>Your SAT/ACT scores are truly impressive and that alone separates you from others. I didn't question your ability but wonder what the tests really measure. I guess the tests favor those who are really good at reading. If your high school courses are really touch, a lower GPA is still better than a higher GAP in a less competitive school. But a large discrepancy between SAT/ACT scores and GPA would raise red flags. Good luck!</p>