<p>What do you guys think of my chances at HYP, STANFORD, Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth, UPenn, Duke, Johns Hopkins, UChicago, Northwestern, Vandy, Rice, Washington St. Louis, Amherst/Williams?</p>
<p>Objective:
GPA: ~90 (Canadian)
Rank: School does not rank
SAT: 1550/2310; 780 CR, 770 M, 760 W (12 essay)
SAT II: 740 French, waiting on chem but should be 760+
No APs offered at my school but most rigorous courseload.</p>
<p>Subjective:
ECs:
President of registered youth-run non-profit that promotes volunteerism (planned huge events/conferences with thousands of kids/very high traffic website)
Co founder/President of youth-run non profit that helps disadvantaged kids in the community (low income, dropouts, etc)
Executive for national university student-run non profit (organized huge national events)
Youth Ambassador for government tobacco-free organization (organized campaigns, etc)
Prestigious provincial (state) band, Tri-M Honor Society, volunteered at various other places (Red Cross, YMCA, Special needs children, etc)
Essays: should be decent
Teacher/Counselor Rec: nothing special</p>
<p>Other:
Country: Canada
School Type: Public, 2000 students, most have never heard of the Ivy League
Ethnicity: Asian :(
Gender: Female
Anti-hook: Applying for Financial Aid
Major: Biochem/International Relations/Foreign Languages (thinking of doing public health)</p>
<p>Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to chance! I promise to chance back ASAP!</p>
<p>Your ethnicity hurts you, and I understand the pain. Honestly though, if your rigor and objective stuff is that great, your ECs round it out nicely. Instead of random “leadership” roles at this or that club at school, you have them at high profile organizations that are national and community based. I believe this makes them sound more genuine and strong. If you write strong essays that illustrate your passion for these organizations you should be in good shape. </p>
<p>You should get into Northwestern, Vandy, Duke, Johns Hopkins. UChicago is going to be different this year due to the huge increase in apps, so no one can predict what will happen. I suggest writing creative and strong essays for it. Someone told me that Wash U rejects “too strong” candidates for some reason, I can’t vouch for that. I’m not familiar with Williams and Amherst.</p>
<p>HYPS is a reach for everyone except those who cured cancer because it is a crapshoot, but I think you have a decent chance despite the lack of hooks. Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth should be matches.</p>
<p>Even as a Canadian perspective ;),
HYPS is not GUARANTEED.</p>
<p>What I can say though, is that you loaded your ECs with every opportunities available. That really stands out among Canadians, where such opportunities are scarce.
Although School Grades could be higher (I’ve seen many many 97,98% get rejected from Toronto), your good SAT score compensates for it.</p>
<p>I will say it again. HYP - maybe, other schools - decent chance, but not stanford. I have sources that tell me that affirmative action for asians is at apex.</p>
<p>As everyone said before HYPS is not guaranteed. In fact, it’s not guaranteed for anyone
Your essays and extra curriculars are your shining points; make sure to emphasize them when writing your apps.</p>
<p>While your ethnicity does hurt you a little bit, Asian girls generally get into good schools easier than Asian guys (I’ve had so many college reps and family and friends tell me I’m getting kinda sick of it, but to an extent it is true). So, I think you have a very good shot at all the other schools.
Good luck with college apps!</p>
<p>I’m going to go counter-flow here and say that though you have good stats, a 90 average is sub-par for Ivy (though maybe a canadian 90 is different?). Good SAT.</p>
<p>What’s your prospective major? Applying for FA + being Asian is going to hurt you. </p>
<p>I feel like your ECs should save you but I’m not sure because you don’t say if you’ve accomplished anything. X hours of volunteering is not going to make you stand out. As far as I can tell, dearth of major awards.</p>
<p>I can see you getting into WUSTL, Rice and maybe, maybe Cornell, but I’m not positive for any of these schools considering the competitive pool of applicants. Sorry I’m not bringing you better news.</p>
<p>Wed have to know where you rank to give meaningful feedback. Even when a school doesn’t officially rank, they give enough info for colleges to see where you rank.</p>
<p>@retrohippo: Thanks for the honest feedback! I’m planning to major in Biology or maybe Int.Relations/Foreign Languages. I’d like to work in global health. As for my ECs, I’ve organized a few regional conferences/events with thousands of students that attended. My organizations are registered and we get all our sponsors/venues ourselves, so they’re very much youth run. My ECs are not so much in-school, they are more community based. I’m really just hoping to get into at least one of the schools!</p>
<p>@Waverly: My school’s profile mostly just says 80+: Excellent, 70+: Very good, etc. My guidance counselor tells me I’m ranked in the top 1% or so.</p>
<p>okay, well that changes everything - not sure if your intended major is on-par with your ECs, but you’ve clearly shown commitment and leadership. </p>
<p>Scrap what I said - I think you’ll get into a few of your higher reaches, though do throw in some safeties just in case.</p>
<p>Which province are you from? Based on ECs and SAT scores, you seem like a strong candidate. But a 90% average is certainly subpar, even for Canada. Do you go to a highly competitive high school? This is where a rank would help.</p>
<p>agree with others and say Stanford is a reach. Disagree with others and think that the other schools would be reaches for you as well. Any ivy, Jhu, northwestern, and wustl are not matches for anyone. Your profile for an Asian female looks very average especially with that GPA. Look to add more matches.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the chances guys! @Blah2009 - What would you recommend as a solid match for me?
Also, for those wondering about my rank - my GC tells me it’s about top 1% or so. As for my school, it’s not super competitive, our highest average is usually a 93 or so, so not too bad (some schools don’t even reach 90).</p>
<p>HYP Stanford Penn, UChi, are reaches, but to have a real shot you need more than “decent” essays.
Are you applying to any safeties?
Your grades, scores, and ECs are on par with what is expected for these schools, but you never know.</p>
