<p>My son is currently a junior and he is graduating a year early for two very important reasons which I will explain later. He has applied REA to Stanford, and regular decision to Harvard, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, University of Chicago and UPenn.</p>
<p>The numbers:
-SAT:2140 (SuperScore)
-ACT:31 (Composite)
-GPA: 4.5426 (as of end of sophomore year)
-Taking all of the hardest courses offered in his school
-Rank: 1 of 806</p>
<p>ECs:
-Event Leader in Public Forum Debate (Formal Leadership Role - Also, a state qualifier)
-Founder and President of School Chapter of Future Business Leaders of America
-Research Associate at The Ohio State University (4 years)
-He has been researching the molecular mechanism underlying cardiac arrhythmias for the last 4 years, and he in the process of co-authoring 3 publications. He has also worked to get a grant from the NIH which his lab was recently awarded.
-Designated Member of Spanish National Honor Society
-Science Fair</p>
<p>Awards:
-Named as an Honorary Fellow of the American Junior Academy of Sciences (AJAS)
-Designated as a John H. and Ruth Melvin Memorial STEM Scholar
-Two time recipient of Student of The Year
-Top 5 Paper Presenter at The OJSHS
-State Qualifier in Public Forum Debate and Science Fair
-State Delegate to the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
-Multiple scholarships for outstanding research in biomedical sciences</p>
<p>Justification for Graduating Early: He wants to focus his time and efforts in a university setting which will enable him to spend more time in his studies of cellular physiology and allow him to publish the papers. In addition, he wants to challenge himself in the field he wishes to pursue, which can only come through meeting people with similar interests at the university level.</p>
<p>What do you think his chances are? Thanks for your help in advance!</p>
<p>He is a very strong candidate. The most impressive EC is, of course, his research. It would make a very good essay topic for him to describe exactly what he has accomplished in that area. </p>
<p>The only factor hurting him is his SAT score, but even that is only a minor issue since he has already proven to have a very rare accomplishment under his belt. </p>
<p>That said, provided that he can explain cogently what he wants to do and how mature he has become, the following is true</p>
<p>REA to Stanford - high match/ low reach
Harvard - low reach
Columbia - high match
Johns Hopkins - match
University of Chicago - high match
UPenn. - high match</p>
<p>He is really extremely qualified, and it’s the essays that will make it or break it.</p>
<p>I appreciate the feedback. I have been pestering him for months for his standardized testing; it is definitely a weakness here. Based on the credentials of those accepted,since his scores are low, why would he still have Such chances? Also, most of his essays were research or science based in regards to his passion. Is that also to an advantage or is it being overdone? Once again I appreciate any criticism/feedback.</p>
<p>Stanford has an acceptance rate of 6-7%. UW GPA of admits is around 3.84 and SAT score is approx. 2100. So your son appears to be above the average for both measures.</p>
<p>However, most people with a high GPA and SAT score are still rejected. The admissions process is enigmatic, and any minor issue could doom his application. This minor issue could be as simple as an essay that seems overbearing/exaggerated, or that there happens to be a member of the adcom who cares a lot about the SAT score. </p>
<p>That being said, the highest an applicant can hope for in terms of Stanford or Harvard chances is high match to low reach. The only exception is if he has something truly eye-popping, such as a recommendation from the President of the United States, or if the president of the school himself recommends the applicant.</p>
<p>standardized test scores…
used to evaluate how prepared a student is for university. now, since your son goes above and beyond his required coursework AND is conducting original research…i wouldn’t worry too much about the admission committee fretting over his score. it’s actually sort of irrelevant since his score is up to par with many of the students admitted.
hopefully his personal statement conveys a sense of community involvement (how his research may better his community, rather than just stating the facts of the research)…
there is absolutely no indication of community service on your son’s application. this isn’t something to be very very very worried about, it just is what it is. once again, just make sure he demonstrates his interest in the social world with his personal statement.</p>
<p>Thanks for the sincere feedback. My son had been doing community services whenever time permits and had accumulated multiple hours; though it not a big part of his application. Will that effect his chances to get in Stanford, which his dream school have been? I have read that colleges look into the holistic picture, so which piece on his r</p>
<p>Your son’s research accomplishments are impressive but his test scores will likely hold him back. What are your son’s SAT II scores? I’m pretty sure Harvard and some of the other private schools require you to complete them in order to be considered for admission.</p>
<p>You should apply to Rice and Duke University if your son hasn’t taken SAT IIs. They accept ACT with Writing instead if that’s all you have. Your son needs safeties or he will be in a lot of trouble if he gets rejected everywhere.</p>
<p>Race: Asian (Indian)
Ohio state is the only safety that he has. He has taken two sat subject tests scoring above 700. He plans to take two more this year.</p>
<p>Do we need more safeties? And one lingering question: how do colleges feel about the early graduation when the kid has the solid research experience and maturity (but not the scores)?</p>
<p>Early graduation negatively impacts chances for sure, there’s no way around it. Colleges may question your son’s maturity and his ability to thrive in a more independent environment at such a young age.</p>
<p>Some good schools that are more lenient towards non-traditional students include Carnegie Mellon, Rice, Duke, and USC so I would definitely add those schools to the college list too if possible.</p>