Chance Me: U Penn & Stanford

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I go to very competitive high school, blue ribbon, and top 10 in my state. I will have take 15 AP exams, and most likely valedictorian.

GPA UW: 4.0
GPA W: 4.615
Class rank: Top of class, at max top 3 students
ACT Scores: 35, Writing 11
Subject Tests: 800 Math 2, Biology 770

AP:
Calc BC
Lang
Art History
US History
Physics 1
Physics C
Bio
Chem
Spanish
World History
US Gov
Stats
Econ

Academic Awards, Honors, Recognition
Davidson Young Scholar: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
National Honor Society: Grade 11,12
Athletic Academic Honor Roll: Grades 9, 10,11, 12
Honor Roll: Grade 9,10,11, 12
Winner Circle (each teacher chooses best student): Grades 12
Missouri 100 Scholars: Grade 11 (got to attend Governor’s Camp)

ECs:
Debate - VP of Events: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Model UN - President: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(I won the outstanding delegation award, highest award, at the international Model United Nations Conference at the University of Chicago; I was selected and accepted onto the All-American Model UN team, I was accepted to attend the Youth United Nations Conference at the UN Headquarters in New York City)
Seattle Area Model UN - Secretariat: Grades 12
FTC Robotics - Team Captain: Grades 9, 10
(Team has gotten to state twice and placed second my sophomore year)
Students Against Destructive Decisions - Vice President: 9, 10, 11, 12
(I helped litigate the T21 bill to restrict tobacco purchases under 21, I have also interned at multiple drug camps, and organized multiple state Red Ribbon events)
MIT Entrepreneurship Club - Co President: Grades 12
Science Olympiad: 9, 10
Varsity Tennis Team: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(I helped our team win Conference, District, and get to State for the first time in high-school history)
Research at Washington University: Grades 10, 11, 12
(researched antibiotic resistance, created a draft manuscript for a research paper, am currently working on independent project, am a Finalist at State Science Fair and won thousands in prize money, currently have a paid internship at the lab)
(researched Physiology based education and presented findings at 2017 Experimental Biology Conference)
Aim High St. Louis - Assistant Teacher: Grades 9, 10, 11
(Teach impoverished kids over summer and meet them over the year to mentor them, and we help provide meals and activities through out the summer for 5 weeks, I won the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for my work - 400 hours)
Religious Youth Group - Youth Instructor: Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
(I am a youth instructor and help out with teaching kids as well as organizing many of the charity events)
CANstruction - Builder and Organizer: Grades 9, 10, 11
(My last year I helped design it and be part of the build process, we create murals out of cans that represent social issues like interfaith relations and environmental protection)
Hospital Volunteer: Grades 9, 10
(180 hours)
Pottery: Grades 10, 11, 12
(I have created multiple pieces and have had some featured in a regional art fair)

Languages: English, elementary Spanish and Kannada

Letters of Rec:
Science Teacher: amazing letter of rec, shes seen all my science fair stuff and says im one of the best students she has seen
Science Teacher: pretty good letter of rec, I’ve been with him his first 2 years and gotten straight As in his hardest classes
Principal: letter of rec, he knows a lot of my hardships and knows I’m a really good student, also been with him his first 2 years
Gifted Resource Counselor: amazing letter of rec, has known me since middle school, knows of my personality and grades and sees a lot in me

Essays:
really good essays (I will make one about pottery and how it helped me get past my tremor)

Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Indian
Income: More than 200k

2

U have a good chance, but idk and can’t tell what your passion is, so to me u seem very successful gunning for the best college he can get into. That said-


Stanford - reach


Penn- reach


^shocker ik

3

I have to respectfully disagree with Harpguy- I think you explained your ECs quite well and that you should be proud of your accomplishments.

Your stats are great, but your ECs are better. You’re very involved, have showed lots of leadership, and your volunteer hours are crazy! I think your three-year research stint at Wash will be the highlight of your app. A lot of kids only do lab internships or work in labs over the summer. Your early and persistent interest in bio will totally help you stand out.

I assume you’re a fellow bio major hopeful? :slight_smile:

Best of luck- I think your chances look great at both Stanford and UPenn.

4

@Harpguy2022 I didn’t at all mean to come off as pretentious, so I’m sorry it this was taken that way. I can see how a lot of my descriptions make it seem like I’m bragging, but I was just trying to give context. Regardless, I see why it seems cocky.

My passion is healthy policy, and that’s why I focused a lot on Model UN and research (antibiotic resistant bugs in foreign countries), to try and learn more about the topic and look at what’s being done currently.

With all due respect, I’m not trying to just go for the best colleges. I like Stanford for many reasons (as does every other person), but I really like their specific Symbolic Systems major which would allow me to go into 4 different branches/topics in one major. I love Upenn and Stanford alike since they both have amazing atmospheres that foster a lot of leadership with community service. They both provide really high educations while giving a chill vibe and encouraging everyone to do whatever it is that they like. I haven’t found that aspect, to that level, at many other colleges.

I know both Penn and Stanford are reach schools, but I wanted to post this just to get some feedback about what people think are my weaknesses and strengths.

5

@newkidnewtrix Thank you for the feedback. I want my research and my Model UN experience, but I didn’t know which one I should highlight more, especially on supplementary essays. I thought my research would be too generic, but you make a very good point about the duration of my research.

I am also planning on majoring in BioChem, so kinda hahaha.

I appreciate the advice and help.

6

I think you can definitely fit both research and UN into your essay! Your above mention of your combined interest in health and policy was very good and is an interesting combination- I think you would do well to mention how you love the intersection of the two.

7

I honestly think you have a decent chance at both of these schools. You really show passion in what you are interested and have the stats to back it up

8

@wakid0002 I apologise, I see the full picture now… I’m a white class no connections kid so seeing someone with an awesome research experience like you got me mad lol bc I feel A LOT of (well-off) people on this site are prestige suckers who use their fancy connections to get to good universities and I have to fight for everything opportunity I get… But u clearly are not… apologies again,

If that’s truly ur passion, you have a better chance than most.

9

Classic high stats Asian Male applying to the HYPSM type of schools. That also means there are many with similar stats applying to these schools. IMO, UPenn will have a better odds vs Stanford based on what I saw past few cycles. ACT 36 will get you the kind of applicants I termed - HYPSM will take them because of the numbers, and now they can fill one “special” admission with lower stats. HYPSM always need these high stats kids to fill the hole. But since there are enough of these high stats kids around, especially Asian males for STEM, the odds are against these kids despite whatever numbers or accomplishments on paper. I’d say this application stats will be the kind Vandy would fill, very high stats/awards/honors driven process. Standing out among the thousands of high stats Asian Male applicants is the make or break case for admissions with these top schools. Focus on the essays to make you a stand out. Stanford in particular with some many short essays will be the key. Upenn essay is more limited in scale and could be difficult to make your case if you are just repeating whatever you have presented in the 1st post. JMHO.

10

@BigflowerSusie I’m pretty sure he’s Indian?

11

You seem like a highly competitive candidate. Those schools are hard for anyone to get into, but you definitely have what it takes. I’d put your chances at 60-65% at either school. I would be very surprised if you didn’t get into at least one of them. Good luck!
PS, if you wouldn’t mind chancing me back? :slight_smile:

12

Which school are you applying to in Penn? You have an incredible profile. Now it will come down to your essays, so make sure those are as creative and thought-provoking as possible. My advice is to have several people read all your essays and see if any of their criticisms overlap. It helps! Good luck

13

Wow!

You should be so proud of yourself for all of this. You seem like exactly the candidate these schools are looking for - the kind that makes people think, “How did they do it?”

I agree that the Research at Washington University is stellar and will definitely be a strong point of your application - your ECs in general are just phenomenal.

Use the essays to show who you are, don’t just use them to boost the ECs.

I think the little things mean a lot too - the pottery and CANstruction activity go to show how you’re not just a typical ‘Asian male’ applicant who has only focused on what would look best to colleges all throughout HS. This gives you personality as an applicant!

Again, congrats and I wish you the best of luck!

14

@BigflowerSusie I completely understand what you’re saying. I know I’m competing with many other students with better stats than me and international awards in math and science. I know that my research at WashU doesn’t bring the awards they have, but I feel that what I researched complements my desired goals. I was hoping that my experience in Model UN would help differentiate me as well as the duration of my research at WashU.

For my essays, I wanted to supplementary essays, I wanted to add of my interests with CANstruction and volunteering as @upwardss12 mentioned. For my Common App essay, I was going to hit heavily on how pottery taught me there are more aspects that just the biological sciences, and I would bring in my Model UN and research experience to show I went into 2 fields to find what I was truly passionate about.

Regardless, I understand the competition is fierce, especially since I’m an Indian Male, but I was hoping to use some of the diversity in my ECs to help me stand out amongst all the people with better stats and super high accolades. Do you think this may not be enough?

15

@doorrealthe I am applying to the college of arts and sciences, and I am also applying for the LSM program. I was going to focus on my diversity of interests for the essay about the college or arts and science since I could learn about both the humanities and sciences there. I would address how I could indulge in all the things that were warranted as “distractions” from a career in medicine, while also addressing how I could study science, something I have always loved. For the LSM essay, I was going to focus on my goals in health policy and how a dual-degree program would allow me to learn about the logistics of healthcare around the world and even about creating new products in the biochem or medical field.

16

@thalaya Just did. Hope it helps!

17

Those are awesome ideas for your essays. The LSM program is super competitive but I think admissions officers will see you as a perfect fit. Are you applying ED to Penn?

18

UPenn’s LSM is an incredibly competitive program to get into. The entry class size is about 25. There are few admission stats available, but I have heard past students of mine suggesting the rate is in low-single digits. If you are really into the LSM program, try to make a visit to UPenn and get someone to talk to about the program. I know UPenn does not track interest or care interest level for admissions, but at a minimum, you get a chance to find out if the program fits your ideals and some more. The essays will be of absolute importance. Considering the demographics and the kind of people applying to LSM, you have to find a way to standout among the look-alikes. Model UN and research stuff are going to be the staples of the essay topics for the LSM applicants. You need to bring those in PLUS whatever makes you - “You” - not some other Indian Males applying from New Jersey with the same stats. I told my students this cold hard fact - if you are in wrong demographics along with similar interests - be ready for disappointment and be ready to look for things that nobody else can have. You mentioned Pottery - how big a project was that? How long? How committed? That may help you to differentiate somewhat from the typical Asian male applicants (doubtful too many have pottery experience…). Have you considered the ED process? If you visit UPenn and really like the LSM program, then go for it with ED rounds. RD round for UPenn is brutal. Other than UPenn, Stanford, my reco to you is to consider other top notch schools that favor strong stats vs the other stuff on the application. To me, your profile works well for WashU and Vandy, maybe (NorthWestern, JHU). Those I can see you get in with better odds vs UPenn and Stanford. Since you are interested in health policies, have you contacted your local congressmen on such issues, maybe you can get some exposure and ideas on what’s happening right now with the BCRA bill in congress. I have read plenty of model UN essays in the past, and I don’t feel these things make a big splash on the decision process. If you are passionate about health policies, get some exposure on the political front, get some ideas and stuff you can work on to demonstrate your interest in the area. JMHO.

19

@BigflowerSusie good advice

20

Here’s the basics:

  1. Can you afford either/both schools? Run the on-line calculator, talk to your parents/guardians. Make sure you can afford tuition and living expenses. A student with stats like yours would have a chance at merit money at some very good schools, but Penn does not give merit aid.

  2. As mentioned, both are incredibly competitive. Here is the order as far as “better” chances of admission:
    a) UPenn ED SAS - best, by far, chance of admission (but you will be committed to Penn)
    b) UPenn RD SAS - 2nd best (but much lower than “a”) chance of admission
    c) Stanford. (I don’t have enough inside knowledge to know but there some folks say Stanford REA is actually as or more competitive than RD. But either one will be very competitive.) Not that far off Penn RD acceptance rates.
    d) Penn M&T - very low acceptance rate

If you apply to Penn RD make sure your application will convince them you want to attend. If they (or any top school) feels like you are just acceptance collecting, they may pass you over.

Make sure you have a few good safety schools that you would be happy to attend. It does not happen often, but every once in a while a high-stat applicant does not get into the top schools that they normally would. It’s always smart to have a few strong safety schools.

You’ll have a some great options. I can’t really say if Penn M&T or Stanford will accept you (truthfully, no one on an anonymous message board can, especially other high school students) but unless you have some major hidden flaw in your application, someplace interesting and challenging will accept you. Make sure you’re in a position to afford the schools that do offer you admissions.