Why University of Chicago ? Why not Northwestern University ?
Much better odds if you ED JHU or Northwestern rather than Columbia.
Again, it’s free advice so take it for what it’s worth…
If you were my kid, I would advise you to avoid putting yourself in the standard categories: pre-med, bio, engineering. Those tracks are going to be filled with the types of kids who have taken AP BC Calc, AP Bio, AP Chem, AP CompSci and probably even AP Physics by 11th grade, who are in the 1500+ SAT range and have shadowed 3 doctors, published cancer research and written an app. Those are not areas where you want to take a head-on, traditional approach because your stats are great but won’t look great in that sort of comparison.
Instead, play to your strengths because you have many strengths that won’t have good direct comparisons and will help to set you apart. Instead of being a totally focused pre-med grind who has checked all the boxes but hasn’t really looked around outside the boxes, you have spent time exploring how the various subjects all fit together. You’ve made sure you have the advanced communications skills to reach patients effectively or to show the world how your tech works. You understand the subtle but critical links and how word choice can influence behavior. You would not be the old school doc or engineer who may be brilliant but doesn’t understand how to reach patients. Your varied and strong exploration of all subject matters means you are likely to be an excellent diagnostician because you can see the puzzle from a different perspective. These are the types of strengths and links you want to point out because they’re unique, they’re interesting and they mean that you’re showing how your background will be an asset without needing to duke it out based on who has a higher test score. Play to your strengths.
UChicago does not have engineering but you’re applying anyway because you “really want the t-shirt”??
:-?
“Why University of Chicago ? Why not Northwestern University ?”
Let me share an actual conversation DS and I had two years ago, the summer before his Junior year in HS, when we were in Chicago to tour UChicago.
DS: This is where I’m going. It’s perfect.
Me: It’s great and I’m glad you liked it. Hey, our hotel is very close to Northwestern. Why don’t we just take a quick look at NW?
DS: No, thanks.
Me: Come on, we’ve flown 1300 miles and we have a few more days in town. While we’re up here, let’s just check it out.
DS: Nope.
Me: It’s a top ranked school and has some fantastic programs. I really think their ____ department would be interesting and we’re unlikely to be up here again anytime soon. Let’s just briefly pop by…
DS: No, I’m good. I know where I’m going.
Me: (Sigh) OK, let’s go get some ice cream. Hope you know what you’re doing.
Some people just have very set ideas of what interests them and what does not.
What do you actually do with robotics? You described an admin role. And SWE seems a hs club. Not sure what engineering experience a “big outreach event” once/year brings you, as an applicant to a tippy top.
There’s a lot of confusion evident. Including how important the math experience is. The question about low income. Some work to do, miles to go.
And what outside scholarships would those be?
“not sure” about the finances is not an o.k. starting point for a college list. You need to sit down with your parents and find out how much money they are willing to put toward your college education – and does the perceived quality of the school make a difference. That is, it is possible that your parents would be willing to stretch their finances or borrow in order to send you to an Ivy-caliber school… but you can’t assume that to be the case without talking to them. Also,you haven’t mentioned whether you have siblings,as that will factor into your parents’ budget as well.
If you have the stats to get into the schools you are looking at, then you also have the stats to get into good schools that will give you significant merit money – but you do need to target schools that you are going to be able to attend. That’s especially true if your ultimate goal is pre-med — because that’s a whole lot more $$$$ down the line.
So figure out your budget first. THEN figure out the college list.
Have your parents run the net Price calculator for some of the colleges of interest (google it). It will tell them if you would get need based financial aid. If they cannot afford full price, look for colleges where you are above the 75% for SAT to get merit scholarships or loook at http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
I would be extremely wary of using Tulane as a safety school. First, as others have pointed out, you might not get in. Second, even if you are highly likely to get admitted, Tulane is an expensive school, and you/your parents might not be able to swing it financially.
Please add some safer safety schools to your list. The financial safety school is a necessity for anyone who has any question that their families can come up with $70,000+ a year.
Every year, there are people on this board who shoot only at schools with tiny acceptance rates and don’t get accepted anywhere, or people whose only choices are unaffordable. I’d recommend that you create a balanced college list that includes match schools, safety schools and financial safety schools in addition to reaches.
Best of luck - we’re on your side …
@Publisher I really like the idea of an Ivy League in NYC.
@milee30 Thanks for the advice! 
@lookingforward Yea, I’m thinking maybe I should play about my community service/volunteering strengths rather than an engineering angle, but I’m worried that “community service” isn’t a very strong talking point.
In light of everyone’s comments on costs, I’ll PM a mod and ask them to close this thread (if it’s possible lol) so that I can talk with my parents on what’s affordable. I may be back in a month or two with a narrower list. If you see this thread after it’s locked and want to comment, please feel free to PM me! Again, I wanna thank everyone for your comments.