<p>Chances (Please Relieve my anxiety)
Location:NYC
School: Bronx Science (Public Elite)
GPA:92
Ethnicity: Asian (Indian) Male
First Gen (mom went to 2 year college in india, dad no high school)
Low income: Dad was abusive as well.
Sophmore Year classes: Honors Chem,Honors Trig, Research
Junior Year:Honors English, Honors Physics, Research,
Senuor Year: A.P Calc AB, A.P Micro, A.P Chem, A.P Comp, A.P Psych, Linear algebra/differential equations, research, macroeconomics at local college</p>
<p>Did poorly one term due to aunt's cancer (will hoepfully be explained in rec)</p>
<p>ACT-35
Bio M-710
Bio M-800
U.S History-800
Math 2c-800
Clep Biology-80/80
Clep Spanish-76/80</p>
<p>Pre-Med Society (9,10,11,12)
Key Club (11,12) Projects Commitee head
Chess/Go club (10,12)
American Cancer Society club (12)</p>
<p>Summer job-one at hospital
other at community center</p>
<p>S-Prep at columbia medical school (medical program)</p>
<p>200 hours volunteering hospital</p>
<p>4 year dental internship</p>
<p>Job at Princeton Review Next year</p>
<p>Research at local college
will hopefully be published</p>
<p>I thought we weren't compared to people within our schools. A lot of people with 97 averages who will probably pick HY in the end will apply.
Does published research look impressive?
One of my recs will be from the dentist where I interned. I know for a fact that rec will be amazing. He often says i am one of his most devoted and hardworking workers and he would be able to verify my interest in the health sciences.
My essays will probably be about How I overcame all the difficulties I faced in my life.
Any other advice?</p>
<p>First get a grip. A great rec from a Dentist??*@@!! Maybe a college prof saying you're more brilliant than all of their students or a publisher saying your books are certain to be big sellers.</p>
<p>Next, the competition is first against kids from you high, than kids with similar profiles from similar highs like Stuy. They are only going to take so many Indian candidates from NYC area, so you'll need to be best among those applicants.</p>
<p>Next, if you mean your essay is going to be about the hard life of immigrants realize that so are many thousands of others, so you's better be unique and interesting.</p>
<p>You have great test score and a pretty good GPA (I'd say you would be in top 10% or better at most American high schools)...your ECs are OK, but they tend to fall a bit into that whole "Asian" category. You mentioned an internship at a dentist's office...I think you could make something of that, as it is a pretty interesting EC that effectively diversifies you from the many people who do not get such an opportunity.</p>
<p>Like collegekid said, writing an essay about your move from another country or something of the sort is pretty hard to do successfully unless you have very interesting tidbits that differentiate you from every other non-native applicant. If you do, however, then that might make for a very nice essay.</p>
<p>I think you definitely have a decent chance at going to Princeton...if you work hard on your app, you just might get lucky ;)</p>
<p>^But does it define you? Hopefully you're more than just your circumstances. Certainly mention it in your essay, but don't base your entire essay around it.</p>
<p>That said: YES, you will be compared with other people at your school. The same person/people will read your applications. And then they will judge you in comparison to people who've had similar oppurtunities/resources.</p>
<p>So Princeton lied. They said we will not be refused admission based on other applicants from our school.</p>
<p>I am going to write the optional essay about the circumstances.</p>
<p>Could I maybe get a recommendation from the college class that I am going to take next year? Would that be better than the dentist?</p>
<p>About 23 people apply to Princeton each year. What do you think the limit will be next year when they don't have ED (they will probably take a couple more right). They usually take about 4.</p>
<p>So it really does come down to senior year grades, essays and recs now right?</p>
<p>Personally, I think your stats are great. I would suggest playing up the whole first generation thing. You are not the "typical" Indian, so make sure you somehow convey that. Pay particular attention to essays ... those are what will distinguish you from the masses. Read some books on college essays. Check out the Tufts website ... they have some sample essays that are phenomenal. Yours doesn't have to be that phenomenal or unusual, but you'll get an idea of the type of thing selective colleges are looking for. Too many "smart" kids write BORING essays. You need to think outside the box. THAT is what will get you in. You have the right stuff ... you just need to package it properly.</p>
<p>Oh, and don't forget ... NO ONE can tell his/her chances at selective colleges. You are never a shoe-in (and kids with strong stats can never be sure they WON'T get in, either). Do your best, but have other options available, too.</p>
<p>Yea i knowPrinceton is my reach. I am open to other schools too like top publics such as UNC or UVA. I just want an intellectually stimulating environment. Prestige really does mean nothing to me I am not even applying to Harvard or Yale.</p>
<p>I was serious, you need a counselor. We can't help much here.</p>
<p>Princeton is not in the business of producing dentists. A dentist saying you were his best worker and you'd make a good medical professional will in no way float Princeton's boat. To write about your circumstances growing up poor without a dad in America as unusual is just ignorant. I mean that in a you don't have the facts sense. You are not first generation if your mother attended an Indian college. </p>
<p>A sick aunt is unfortunate, but will not make a bad term go away. Most everyone has tough times. The kid who lived through tough times without a glitch will win every time.</p>
<p>You are from one of the most competitive HSs in this Country, it hard to believe they don't have decent college counselors who are guiding you towards school you have a chance at. It's hard to believe in 3 years you haven't noticed who gets in and who doesn't (lower ranked ORMs). NYC is filled with elite HSs and with Asian candidates, the very top (without being a legacy) will get into HYPSM. The odds are a fraction of those of an equal candidate from a UR state.</p>
<p>I can apply to reaches can't I. I never thought this was going to be my match or even a slight reach. I know its a BIG reach. I just wanted some help on what to stress in my application.</p>
<p>collegehopeful, ignore collegekid. Princeton ... and any other ivy or highly selective college ... is not some extraordinary place that only God's (Allah's, Buddha's, whatever floats your boat) chosen people get into. Real people, just like you, can & do get in. If they aren't famous, filthy rich, or legacies, they do it by presenting themselves in the best light they can given their personal circumstances. Write excellent essays. Send in your references ... yes, even from the dentist (if this person knows you well, and writes well, it will be to your advantage). Put together a great package. The rest is what it is. Relax.</p>
<p>^You should ignore that high school kid, check out his old posts, they are all negative, unless one goes to A/E/D. Furthermore, not everyone can afford a college counselor. However, you should write your essay(s) in such a way to differentiate yourselves or stand out among other Asians coming from your high school.</p>
<p>As someone said before, you are not a typical indian in that you weren't the son of engineers or doctors with a stable and nurturing household. That really does set you apart.</p>