<p>Does anyone have any idea what my chances are for MIT, Caltech, and Stanford?</p>
<p>-Asian male
-800M/770V, although I'm going to take the new SAT some time
-800 Math IIC, I'll take some additional SATIIs in May
-132.5 AMC, 5 on the AIME (lol)
-approximately 97.2 GPA (don't know what that is out of 4), unweighted, 1/320something, although it might fall to around 3 or 4 because my grades have been sucking this year
-took 4 AP tests: calc BC, stats, world history, and comp sci AB, got 5s on all of them
-will take 6 AP tests this year: physics C (mechanics and E&M), physics B, chem, US history, Euro history, and English language; I plan to get 5 on all of them except possibly English</p>
<p>-vice president of school math team, although it's probably a more important position than the president because the vice president, unlike the president, is responsible for math, not administrative things.
-founder of another math team that went to HMMT last month
-Science Olympiad since seventh grade, will hopefully get some sort of office next year
-probably some sort of research this summer; I applied to RSI (probably won't get in) and a local lab with a very big laser (good chance of getting in).
-captain (sort of) of Masterminds (college bowl type thing) team
-no significant community service or sports :(</p>
<p>love the sn... how bout u continue with that... 3.14159263238979 actually i don't know the rest either... but nice sn... good chance, you kick my ass</p>
<p>I'm just trying to be honest, there are "too-many-to-count" asians with similar or better stats as yours. So it'll be a reach in my opinion. A big reach.</p>
<p>Like the person above me said, you need to do somthing that will make you standout from the rest of the hundreds or thousands of people with stats practically the same as yours.</p>
<p>Research definently helps. Try your best to do well on the rest of your SAT IIs. Spend A LOT of time on your essays. Try to display the passion that science brings in your life. Try to convey that you want to change the world in some way and how those schools will provide the best pathway to your goals. Research the schools a lot and go to your interviews with a very thorough knowledge of your schools. The interviewer will know if you researched the school or not. The more you know, the better. It will show you really want to be a part of that school. Find teachers that will write excellent recommendations. If you play an instrument or sing, great! Send in a solo of you performing. Any little bit you can do helps at these schools.
Also, slacking a bit in your junior is bad. Try to bring up your grades for the rest of the year.</p>
<p>You must do something to make you standout from the rest of the application pool.</p>
<p>As far as achievements that "stand out" are concerned, I imagine the previous posters probably didn't understand the significance of a 132.5 on the AMC, which, although not absolutely mindblowing, certainly stands out. The 5 on the AIME, unfortunately, doesn't help your case any further.</p>
<p>You seem like someone who could easily receive straight 800s on the sat IIs - I would advise that you try physics and chemistry, which you've probably already determined. That's what I did, and it worked for me (all 800s). Nevertheless, although the sat IIs certainly aren't very difficult, don't blow them off either - perfect scores will be important. That isn't to say that perfect scores are required (otherwise, the guardians of test score morality on this forum will murder me); but, if you're struggling to stand out, they're a definite plus.</p>
<p>Research is great. It's certainly something that's important to have in order to be a competitive part of the applicant pool.</p>
<p>Finally, strive to keep your top class rank. I understand that this likely involves plenty of worthless busy work, especially with your school's 100-point scale (those of us on a 4.0 scale have it MUCH easier), but there is an added luster that comes with valedictorian status.</p>
<p>Have you considered applying to Caltech, by any chance? I don't mean to be a cynic, but given the lack of significant affirmative action there, Asian males have a much better shot.</p>
<p>I'm a Class of 09 admit, and after following the process I can honestly say that I think that MIT looks for passion and a sincere drive to accomplish goals - and a decent work ethic just to make it through the classes. Your resume thingy there absolutely trumps mine. You definitely have the academics to back up your admission. I'd think the deciding factor would be how well your personality comes across. Write some stellar essays and just be honest about what you love to do. Good luck!</p>
<p>i took geometry and calculus..they made the test so much harder than last year...i remember that kid tiankai liu got a 94 combined or something, it was insane</p>
<p>Yeah, I also did geom and calc. I didn't go last year, but Tiankai went to IMO like 3 times. I'm pretty sure I saw him working there. A couple of my teammates thought he looked like some kid at my school.</p>
<p>lol the stereotypes! haha same here, but that actually doesn't help too much unless you send in a good sample or have won things, other than that it's just commitment</p>