Chances at Columbia, Yale, and Penn??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello everyone!
I’m a junior and am interested in pursuing pre-med while completing an applied physics or chemistry degree. It would be great if anyone could “chance me” so that I can start making my college list. (I’m aware that these colleges are super competitive, and it’s hard to assess anyone’s chances of acceptance, but any input would be extremely appreciated!!)

ACT: 36 (all subscores)
GPA: 4.0 UW (not sure about weighted- my school’s system is very strange)
APs: Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, AP Calculus AB, Macroeconomics, Physics 1 (all 5s)
Current APs: AP Physics C (mechanics and E&M), AP Calculus C, AP English Language, AP US History, AP Environmental Science

Extracurriculars:
NACLO Semifinalist
Research at Ivy League University last summer (physics research)
Science Olympiad (9th-current)- state awards, invitationals, etc. (golds, silvers, bronzes)
Quiz Bowl (9th-current)- captain
Bunch of science clubs and leadership positions
Varsity Field Hockey (9th-current)
State Research/STEM awareness Program (~10% acceptance rate)
Columbia University Science Honors Program
School’s Red Cross Society- Vice President

STATE: CT

Thank you!!

2

So far so good but where are your SAT Scores
Anyway, it looks like you can possibly make it to an ivy league school

3

I took the ACT instead of the SAT, but my PSAT score was a 1510/1520.

4

ethnicity, state, and financial background?

5

How were you able to conduct research at an Ivy? Good luck btw! :slight_smile:

6

@onceortwice ethnicity: asian (female- not sure if this is relevant), state: Connecticut, financial background: 150k annual income

7

@lumen3141 emailing professors!

8

also forgot to mention 800s on Physics, Math II, and Chem on Subject SATs

9

Personally, I think you have a fantastic shot at getting into one of those schools. Your stats/ECs are amazing, and there isn’t really anything else you could have done (perfect grades/act). But you never know. Admissions at these schools is really just luck once you’re at a certain level.

10

You are a very competitive applicant. Apply early to one of these schools and I think you would have great chances relative to other applicants. Write amazing essays, as those can often be the difference when it comes to picking candidates like you who have good stats and ECs

11

Make sure you have affordable safeties on your list. With your family income you will most likely not get need based aid from the Ivies.

12

if you apply to Penn early, I could easily see you getting in.

13

Your academic stats are perfect, and your ECs are solid. That being said, nothing’s a guarantee.

Do you plan on entering any prestigious research competitions in the near future? Intel ISEF would be a nice start if you qualified, and Regeneron STS during your senior year would put the icing on the cake.

How about USACO/USAPho?

Just as a side note, I had a friend who was deferred from Columbia early this year who had VERY similar stats with some nice national-level awards as well. If you want to know more, feel free to pm me about his stats specifically.

14

@lateststar124 if Penn or Columbia is your top choice the i would advise applying there ED. they provide quite a substantial advantage ED and they become crapshoots during RD. Yale is harder to get in to begin with, and doesn’t provide a meaningful advantage during SCEA. That said, you are qualified enough that if Yale is your dream school it makes sense to go after it.

i would also advise taking a couple of SAT subject tests.

15

@Penn95 I have taken the Math II and Chem subject SATs- do you think I should take more?

16

No need for additional subject tests. You don’t want to give the impression on your app if someone who overtests.

The 3 you have are the ones that most competitive engineering programs look at.

17

You’re a competitive applicant and I can definitely see you getting in, but also would not be surprised if you didn’t just because of how challenging getting in is. I think your best shot would be Penn ED. I would also look into other schools like Johns Hopkins and Northwestern. You’re no doubt a competitive applicant at essentially every school, but people with perfect states get rejected allllll the time. Have some good safeties as well.

18

I would also add Cornell to your list. Low reach if you ED.

19

Your stats are awesome. The only thing I see lacking is any community service. I would add UChicago to the list.

20

@lateststar124 i didn’t notice that you already have taken two. no you don’t need any more subject tests. If you have time you should visit these three schools to really understand what they are like. They might all be ivies but they do have key differences in terms of academic philosophy and campus vibe. Given that you live in CT it shouldn’t be too hard to visit.