Chance me / recommend more colleges

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi guys. Summer of 2010, hope everyone's having fun so far.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm going into senior year next year and I need some ideas for colleges. Mainly I want to major in engineering (not sure which one yet, though probably something not biology related).</p>

<p>Basically, there are a few colleges I have in mind (still VERY open right now) but would like to expand to my list. They are: CMU, BC, RPI, Lehigh, Rutgers (super safety lol).</p>

<p>Anyway, onto my credentials.</p>

<p>Asian male from New Jersey.
Going into senior year with a 94.32 weighted GPA (we do whole % here, not based off the 4.0 scale).
Unknown class rank (they don't release it publicly), though probably high top 25%/low top 10%.
Class size: 450ish.
SAT: 2230 superscore: 600 CR / 800 M / 800 W first time, 630 CR / 770 M / 700 W second time. Retaking in October for CR.
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Chem, 730 Bio E.</p>

<p>Took 5 AP classes so far (1 in sophomore year, 4 in junior year):
Chem: 5 (sophomore year)
Calc AB: 5
Comp Sci A: 5
Bio: 4
US History: 4
Taking AP Econ (Both Micro + Macro included), Stat, Physics C (Taking both C related exams), Calc BC, and Spanish next year.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (not much tbh):
Robotics since freshman year, continuing into senior year (hopefully will get strat captain). Won Regional Engineering Inspirational Award freshman year and Regional Chairman's Award junior year (both with team)
MSEA since sophomore year into junior year, but club was disbanded due to budget issues.
Academic League since junior year continuing into senior year. Won 1st place with the team.</p>

<p>Volunteer service: 50 hours at local hospital, 8 hours at a separate CACS thing.</p>

<p>The only thing really unique about me is that I play competitive Pokemon, but I doubt that colleges will accept something like that for a college essay. However, I might be able to show my dedication seeing as I write Pokemon analyses.</p>

2

<p>…Don’t write about competitive Pokemon. Sorry man, just my honest advice. I doubt colleges would like that, let alone be impressed.</p>

<p>For all the colleges you listed, you have a great shot, and will most likely be admitted to most if not all of them.</p>

<p>Why not apply to a few reaches? Tufts and Emory could be possible options. But if you want a good shot at schools of that caliber, you need to get a 700+ on CR, especially taking into account that you’re Asian.</p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>^ I don’t know if I 100% agree.</p>

<p>Pokemon could be an amazing essay, if you explain it and don’t assume the reader knows what it is. As long as you have a passion, and can explain it, you should be fine, no matter what your passion is.</p>

<p>But I agree, you are probably in everywhere on your list.</p>

4

<p>Thanks guys for the reassurance.</p>

<p>I just need some more thoughts about other potential schools (this is a bump).</p>

5

<p>RPI - Pretty safe match</p>

6

<p>I’ve been involved in the pokemon world for years so, in my opinion, if you can convey how much headache-inducing strategy is needed, your colleges could be impressed by the skill required (not to mention the guts it took to write about it). Last year when I was going through the process (now about to attend a top 10 LAC!), I read a book of exceptional essays and one student wrote about her adoption of Star Wars philosophies. </p>

<p>It doesn’t hurt to write the essay and then decide whether to send it in or not. But I would definitely have some people read it for you first.</p>