<p>I'm a California resident, and I attend one of the most competitive public schools in the nation. I'm planning on applying to Duke, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Cornell, and the good UC's - Berkeley, LA, and SD. I'd like to know what my chances are, especially with Duke, since I really want to go there. Btw, my prospective major is Biomedical Engineering. </p>
<p>SAT - 1490 (800 M, 690 V)
SAT II:
Math 2c: 800
Writing: Retaking in November, prospective 740+
Physics: 740
Chemistry: 740</p>
<p>Weighted GPA: 4.59
(I only got one B, which was a B+ in 2nd semester of junior year)</p>
<p>5 AP classes in junior year, 4 AP classes this senior year, and taking my math class at a college. </p>
<p>Extracurrics are average - tons of volunteering at multiple places (main place is a hospital), club positions in 11th and 12th, and some other things. </p>
<p>I also have NHS, CSF, NMS recognition, Governors Scholarship Award, multiple GSE exam awards, etc. </p>
<p>Any comments on my chances are greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Duke-aply Ed, and i think you will get in
Johns Hopkins-i think you will get in
Stanford-i think you will get in
MIT-i think you will get in
Yale-you have a small shot RD, but a little bigger chance EA
Cornell-Yes
UC's - Berkeley, LA, and SD-Yes, you will get in to all of these</p>
<p>btbvector and neelesh - I was planning to apply to Duke on regular deadlines ... I know myself that if I applied early, I would have a great chance to get in. However, I do want to keep other options open and all. Moreover, considering Duke has a ~25% admission rate, I thought that regular decision would still be a decent option. Any comments on my chances for RD? </p>
<p>(Btw, I know that the 25% applies to both RD and ED - however, since the applicant pool is much less for ED, I calculated the RD to be ~20% or more - I'm pretty sure my logic is right here ... if it isn't, please correct me! =p)</p>
<p>Btw again, I want to thank everyone replying to this thread. I really appreciate all of your input on this matter, because this is the time where I could use all the input I can get ;)</p>
<p>[edit] I also wanted to add to my stats that for class rank, I'm in the top 1% of my year ... class rank 4/880 students. I'm an Asian Indian male as well (donno if that'll affect my chances at all or not?) I've also had work experience, working as an assistant researcher at a distinguished medical clinic.</p>
<p>Hey vauxhall. I think you have really solid stats. Most of the schools you listed sound like good bets. I think you will get into all of the UC schools as well as Johns Hopkins and Cornell. Stanford and Duke also seem like realistic choices, especially since your school sounds competitive and you have such a large class size (I thought 677 was a lot!). Your physics and chemistry SATs are a little low for MIT to be a sure thing, but they certainly aren't low enough to bar admittance.<br>
As far as the writing goes, I read up on the common errors that always appear on the test, did those until my eyes crossed (it really helped! I couldn't believe how many of the same tricks they used each time), and for the essay, I presented it in five paragraph form with a thesis and took up the entire writing space. I also consciously made an effort to use more impressive vocab, which is what I think really makes a difference between a 5 and a 6. I hope this helps, and good luck!</p>
<p>Alter "good" ucs to more competitive. It sounds mean to anyone who is applying to another one.</p>
<p>Good luck. (is also applying to ucla)</p>
<p>JHU is gorgeous if you haven't visited. I live close to it and ah it's such an amazing campus. Not applying though... I'd like to get as far away as possible</p>
<p>I agree w/ sunnyd137. UCB, UCLA, and UCSD are more competitive for admissions, not lightyears ahead or a ton better than UCD, UCSB, or UCI, all 3 of which are in/will soon be in the top 10 nationally among public schools. That being said...</p>
<p>I'm sure vauxhall1979 appreciates your encouragement, but these posts were made in October of last year...I'm sure he's picked out a college by now :)</p>
<p>hey, you definately have strong stats, I don't know the extent of your ECs, or how your essays are. Essays, recs, etc can make or break an application...</p>