Hi, I am a current Junior in High School and I would like to know my chances of getting into one of the competitive Elite Colleges.
Stats:
GPA: 4.6
Class Rank: Top 5%, close to valedictorian and salutatorian,
Test Scores: Haven’t taken them yet - aiming for 1500+
College Classes: Micro Econ, International Relations, Computer Science, soon to be General Chemistry
Taking AP Calc AB, AP Physics 1 - this year
Programming: I know the basics of C++, learning Swift and maybe Python - 3 years on/off, 1.5 years consistent
I have done a 1 week Work Experience for the Royal College of Nursing in London - Summer into my Sophomore Year
Member of NHS and CSF for 3 years
I did a 2 week Virtual internship at the Quest Research Institutes of Technology studying Covid-19 Data using C++ - summer into my Junior Year
Founder and President of the SAT Preparatory Club at my School - this year
Founder/Secretary of the Academic Decathlon Club - this year
Treasurer of the Model UN Club - this year
Part of my school’s School Site Council this year
Thinking of starting a Pre-med Club and College Success club at my school as well as a community center if possible at my school, not just for college apps though, I really do care
On the Development Committee for my region of the California Association of Student Councils - Summer into my Junior Year
I have an internship lined up with a biochemistry professor at UC Davis
Girls Who Code - 2 years, even though I am a male due to a small turn out they allowed some men in the program
Would I have a good chance of getting in with these extracurriculars and grades?
If not please advise me what I can due to fix my situation
The current major I want to focus in is Biochemistry or Bioengineering, Medical Field.
First off, I’ll say you definitely don’t have to be thinking about college this soon, but good for you! I’m from a small town and didn’t think about college till this August and was recently accepted to my dream school, so don’t sweat it. I looked over your list of ECs and stats, and there is nothing wrong with them. Honestly, its going to come down to how you package what you’ve done. A ton of kids around the country will have similar accomplishments or even better stats, but honestly the focus of admissions shouldn’t necessarily on getting the best stats (unless you’re a child genius and can do that, then go for it), instead, I have found the most important focus is on framing your story in a way that makes it seem like you have the best stats. By that I mean colleges want a whole person who is honestly passionate, driven, and unique. You can’t fake that.
In my experience, I applied ED to an ivy league with pretty ‘standard overachiever’ stats. I had state championships, 4.0, etc. but no national recognition or spike. I am convinced the reason I got in what because of how I was very personal in my essays and I conveyed the activities I did do in a way that made it seem like everything I did was in pursuit of a very specific goal.
Hope that helps and good luck!
Like @egganog said, you are not the only one with these stats and there will be many that are better but top schools are looking for students with stats as good as yours as well as someone who is passionate about what they do which is what your extracurricular show. However, aiming for Harvard, while a good goal, is not something you should 100 percent rely on. It doesn’t matter who you are, there is no way to predict whether you are on track for admission to an Ivy league like Harvard. The best thing you can do is continue doing your best, focus on making those ECs as great as you can and write some amazing application essays. Whether you get into or denied from Harvard when you are at the top of your class has nothing to do with your classes and ECs because that ranking alone shows how hard you tried. It has everything to do with how you present yourself and what admissions officers are looking for. Just do your best and explore a wide range of schools that you’ll be happy at.