Chance me

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

I’m a high school freshman, and I’m graduating next year. I wanted to know if I was good enough to get into the colleges listed below, given that I’ve accomplished the following:

  • I've published one research paper when I was 12, and another one again, this year
    • Invited participant at a math seminar in a university
  • I'm working with a professor in a university (a pretty famous one, but I won't reveal the name for anonymity's sake), and am spend my summer there conducting research
  • I've given a conference talk at an AMS national meeting
  • Active member of MathOverflow, and actively chat in the Homotopy Chat Room
  • Am collaborating on research with a grad student
  • Board member of a volunteer club in middle school (last year)
  • Active member of high school math club
  • Expert in LaTeX, HTML, JavaScript, etc.
  • Finished AP Calculus BC in eighth grade with a 5 and AP Physics C with a 4, the second of which I completely self-studied
  • I have all As this current semester, so my weighted GPA is about a 4.45-ish
  • I currently take Speech and Debate
  • PSAT score of 200 (first time I've ever taken it, on a recent practice test I scored a 230)
  • Mentoring a student in real analysis and topology at my local high school
  • I have being playing the piano for about 7-8 years now and was part of my band last year but could not do it this year due to scheduling issues
  • Am currently starting a university-funded math circle (the same university mentioned above) at my local high school
    • Hold after school seminars for high school students to teach them an undergraduate course

I have qualified for the Intel ISEF this year, and next year participate in the Intel STS. I’m also taking the ACT (practice score 34) in April and the SAT IIs (Math II and Physics, practice scores predicted about a 790 and 760, respectively) in May (and if necessary I’ll take both again). I also plan to take AP Chem, AP World History, APUSH, and maybe AP Language as well, with only the first two actually being offered next year.

I’d like to know what my chances for the following colleges are:

  • Harvard
  • MIT
  • U Chicago
  • UCLA
  • UC-Berkeley
  • Princeton
  • Caltech
  • Stanford
  • Cambridge University
  • Oxford University
  • Cornell University
  • Northwestern University
  • UC Davis
  • USC
  • UT Austin

Will they take into consideration that I’m still a freshman and that I’ve not really accomplished much? Will they also take into consideration that (a) I’m a recent immigrant (I moved here in 2013) and I’m not a permanent resident or a US citizen and therefore I (i) wasn’t really aware of too many things, and (ii) wasn’t eligible to participate in some things that I did know about, and (b) that due to some personal reasons, I haven’t been able to attend my local community college?

2

I guess I should mention that my research has been acknowledged to be an idea that could potentially change the field, i.e., is a breakthrough.

3

Oxford won’t care about citizenship or ECs that don’t relate to the subject you are applying to study. They have moved towards being slower to take students under 16 (though it is not an absolute rule) b/c so many of them have burnt out or had a hard time with the social/personal side of life. It’s not clear if you would be looking at Maths, CS or Physics, but know that they will only recognize 5s on APs and strong 700s on (non-duplicated) SATIIs, and that you will need at least 3 ‘relevant’ scores (individual courses may be specific about which ones), and at least a 2100 SAT. Also, Oxford has it’s own math (MAT) and physics (PAT) tests if you are applying for either of those. CS doesn’t have a test but requires a 5 on Calc BC (which you have) and at least a 750 on the math part of the SAT. I know the CS department in particular is very open to corresponding with potential students (not saying the others aren’t- just have more direct experience with CS). Be sure to read the course pages carefully, as Oxford courses are very structured. Also, if cost is a factor, be aware that financial aid is effectively non-existent for non-resident / non-EU nationals.

It sounds as if you lovelovelove your subject, which is half the battle for Oxford (direct quote from a tutor: “we want you to love our subject as much as we do”). The second half is getting the necessary scores, which looks as if it is no problem for you. Those two will get you an interview, after which it is down to how you do in the interview (which is part oral exam, part tutorial; you are usually given unfamiliar work to see how you approach it).

4

Great! Thanks @collegemom3717! Is there any more advice that you’d like to offer? (If it’s relevant, I’m interested in mathematics.)

I’d also love others’ opinions on the other colleges listed above!

5

PSAT means nothing to you as only junior score counts. Also, check that if you have fulfill the 5 core course requirement for each school you want to apply.

6

Wait…you’re interested in topology too, AND a pianist?? I recently met one of the preeminent figures in geometric topology (won’t say name for anonymity’s sake, but I bet you’d know who he is.)

I think your chances are VERY strong, particularly because you have a “specialty” (math and CS) and have outstanding achievements in that area. How can you say you haven’t accomplished much when you qualified to ISEF? have a friend similar to you (four-time USAMO); she was accepted to Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, and Brown, and ended up picking Stanford.

The one thing on your application I’d be concerned about is scores, particularly in reading/writing. I assume that for your 200 PSAT, you had a perfect math section and the reading and grammar pulled you down; same with the ACT. (If I’m wrong, I apologize.) A lot of very math-strong applicants really struggle with language arts; if you can excel at standardized testing for critical reading in addition to math and science, you will be a very, very attractive candidate.

My recommendations: get up your English scores and qualify for the USAMO, and, if you can, the summer program (I think you can. Nobody taking the AMC 10 understands topology, for goodness’ sake. Practice on the AoPS website). Take the Chemistry Olympiad and qualify to nationals. Those are big names and would look good alongside ISEF as really major awards. I am confident you can pretty handily do all of that.

Here are my impressions of your chances; keep in mind a lot is utterly arbitrary. While I think HYPS and MIT-Caltech are universally “reaches,” your stats are really, really, REALLY impressive, which is why you have >50% chances in my opinion. I’m blown away by you…honestly, it makes me scared to know that when I go to Stanford and major in math, I will be competing with people like you.

This is very detailed–bear with me.

Harvard: 60%. You’d be a very hard applicant to turn down, but having spent only two years in high school, you might worry the admissions panel at a school like this, particularly because of the culture shock from being a high school freshman to a college freshman. That’s the only weakness on your application.

MIT: 80%. They love techy people, especially people with crazy accomplishments.

UChicago: 50%. They are very much about “fit” based admissions, and I don’t know how well you would fit in their quirky, liberal arts vibe. If you’re really interested, get ready to write a whimsical response to their “unusual” prompts. I did the “what’s so odd about odd numbers” one and made a bunch of HILARIOUS number theory jokes.

UCLA: 90%. Unless you’re from California, in which case admission to UCLA and UCB is a toss up. The freshman-to-college culture shock thing might also play a role.

UCB: 85%. See above.

Princeton: 80%. No comment.

Caltech: >90%. You have a great hook for Caltech. A lot of the kids who apply there are geniuses like you, but have not really applied themselves in school because of their science driven commitments. When they see a kid with your accomplishments AND a 4.5 GPA, they will be very pleased.

Stanford: >60%, although I feel uncomfortable being specific because they’re so unpredictable. Again, the culture shock thing might be the only detriment, but you’d fit in very well at the tech community there.

Cambridge University: 50%. It’s tough getting in from the States (depending on what country you were original from), and they’re very limiting in terms of what interests you can pursue when you get there…you’ll see what I mean if you apply.

Oxford University: 60%. You can only pick one between Cambridge and Oxford, and I’d recommend Cambridge because you can add other elements to your math education, like Econ. Again, hard getting in from the States. Interview is really important with these guys. AND AP SCORES.

Cornell University: >90%. You’ll probably get invited to a special scholarship community, which is really cool.

Northwestern University: <5%. Yield padding, what can I say? They, Tufts, and WashU frequently turn down as many qualified applicants as they accept. (I’m not bashing the kids they do admit, many of whom are equally qualified as those they reject and wait list.) If you applied ED you’d be almost guaranteed.

UCD: 90%.

USC: 90%.

UT Austin: >90%.

Best of luck, although you don’t need it.

7

@billcsho and @keyboard18 Thanks for your advice! I’m from California, btw. I’ll try to bring up my English scores (which you were right about!)! However, I can’t qualify for USAMO next year since I’m not an american citizen. Will that be considered when I apply?

8

@ILoveUniv‌ oh I didn’t realize that. Yes, they’ll probably know, and even if they didn’t, I don’t think it’d ever come down to, “Well, this applicant is really great, but s/he didn’t qualify for the USAMO, so it’s a no from us.”

Is your native language English?

9

@keyboard18 I’m extremely fluent in English, but it’s not my native language.

10

Bump.

11

@ILoveUniv‌ even better, if you can get stellar English scores as a foreign student, they’ll appreciate that.

12

@keyboard18 Great! I just took another practice test, and I got a 34 (without adding or subtracting any changes contributed to by the essay score) on the writing section of the ACT and a 32 on the reading section, along with a 36 in math and a 36 in science.

13

You have really good stats and chances, the only thing I’m not sure of is how being only a freshman currently and only taking one more year of classes will affect your chances. Make sure you’ve taken enough required classes to be properly considered. For the ivys I feel like you’d get it at least 2-3 of them depending on how willing they are to take someone applying finishing HS early (though your extreme accomplishments and high abilities will probably cancel this out for the most part) but it will vary school by school. Northwestern’s the school I know most about (since it’s where I’m attending). As said by a previous poster NU chances are extremely low for everybody even well qualified students. They look for dedication to the school just as much as ability so applying ED with great essays really helps, but if you like it enough to put in as much effort to apply as admissions is looking for it it’s really worth it. For the other schools idk but you have a shot for all of them. Also I don’t think any of your odds for each school are as high as 90%: that’s just the way the admission process is. Most likely you can get in around half of these schools but chances are extremely selective for all these schools making none if them a true guaranteed match. I’d do research now and if you have one school you love above the rest (and what’s the point of going to college early if you don’t love your school :slight_smile: ) I’d apply early decision/action to greatly improve your odds.

14

@Heisenbergyk Thanks! However, as mentioned before, I’m not an american citizen; does that mean that I cannot apply Early Decision/Action?

15

I think for most/almost schools you can still apply ED/EA. The only negative thing I know being international is for some schools like NU if affects financial aid if you apply for that (it’s more limited, or they can’t promise it until RD results or something it varies by school). I’d email the admissions office of any schools your considering apply EA/ED just to confirm their policies.

16

@Heisenbergyk Great! I’ll be sure to send emails.

17

Does anyone happen to have any more comments?