Chances at RiceU (ED) and USC? I need suggestions for improvement!

<p>The question above, alone with this: I'm still a junior; how can I improve and increase my chances of acceptance? Obviously, I'm not going to start something just to get in, but small suggestions would be helpful...</p>

<p>GPA: UW 4.0 (academic)-- only As and A+s (no minuses thus far)</p>

<p>I have received two B's, but in PE my freshman year. The GPA above includes, essentially, A-G courses (5 core classes + my elective, band)</p>

<p>Classes I have taken considered "advanced":
Advanced English (9 and 10)
Advanced History (9)
AP European History (10)
AP Biology (11)
AP Language and Composition (11)
AP US History (11)
Precalculus (11)</p>

<p>Senior prospective schedule:
AP Lit
AP Microeconomics
AP Macroeconomics
AP Gov
AP Calc AB
AP Physics
AP Italian
Adv. Band</p>

<p>Test Scores:
ACT: Composite 34 : M34,E35, S33, R32
SAT II: Bio (M) and Math II-- I'm taking these in May. What scores do you think I'll need?
AP European History (5)
Hoping for either 4s or 5s in AP Bio, Lang, and USH!</p>

<p>Activities: *** denotes leadership position (required election)
1. Italian Club President (9,10,11,12)***
President in 10,11, and 12, cultural activities coordinator in 9</p>

<ol>
<li>American Cancer Society Club President (9,10,11,12)
President in 11,12
Secretary in 9,10</li>
</ol>

<p>Which goes hand in hand with...</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Event Chair of Relay for Life- essentially, the top position. (elected to lead committee of students for planning our community's Relay for Life which raises approximately $50,000) (10,11,12) ***
This is pretty significant because we raise more money than Stanford, USC, UCLA, etc. Also, this event is typically run by adults, but has been taken over by students in my community.</p></li>
<li><p>Volunteer for many many hours at an organization in the urban area near me that houses cancer patients (children)-- I work on the living conditions for these patients and their families by making holiday cards, painting, cleaning, organizing, making the place a nice place for the brave kids! I also tutor the patient's siblings. (I'm not sure how many hours, but I know the number should be pretty high...) (10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Intern at my hospital's cancer center, shadowed oncologist, volunteered, too! (I'm not sure how many hours, though, but a lot!) (10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>I've played piano for 11 years, numerous awards from my conservatory! Will submit arts supplement (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Flute and Piccolo which I play in my school's band (first chair), my region's orchestra (first), my school's musicals, competitions (with some awards), and a flute "choir" of mostly professional flautists (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
<li><p>Mental Health Support Group (President and Founder) (11,12)-- founded after personal experience
While this is registered as a club, it is more of a support group for those suffering from depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, etc., or those whose family or friends are suffering from those illnesses. It's a big part of my life and has over 50 members. We meet weekly at various locations and have created an outreach network with a local middle school. We've also organized events at school to raise awareness of mental illness. We also set up weeks throughout the year to help students de-stress. It's all pretty great </p></li>
<li><p>Varsity Tennis (9,10,11,12)- Captain as a Senior
</p></li>
<li><p>Hopefully participating in a research program this summer, whether it be a paid program or research with a professor (I applied, but not so sure I'll get in)</p></li>
<li><p>Robotics team member (though, no leadership position) (11,12)-- it was just founded this year</p></li>
<li><p>I've been in the band and marching band for every year and as I said above am the section leader and principal flute. Possibly next year's band president, though I don't know yet. (9,10,11,12)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Work experience. I am not sure which to include. Can you advise?
1. Nordstrom Sales Associate (10,11)
2. Tennis Instructor (Summer and School year--9,10,11,12)
3. I teach piano to elementary and middle school students (11,12)</p>

<p>Recommendations: Planning on getting these from my language and english teachers. However, I'm planning on studying biology. Should I also get one from my biology teacher? They should be very good, really. I'm very involved in the classroom and in helping my peers, which they recognize.</p>

<p>Additional info:
Prospective major: Neuroscience/cogsci (really interested in the crossover between science and language comprehension and understanding as well as mental illness and affects of stress-- physical and otherwise-- on the brain)
Prospective minor: depending on which school, either music or Italian</p>

<p>California resident
Income: >100,000
Trilingual
Mom went to USC</p>

<p>Both parents with Bachelor's, Dad has Master's</p>

<p>I took a human biology class at a local community college, receiving an A. I will take a few classes over the summer if I'm not accepted into a research program.</p>

<p>I know Java and learning Bluejay (self-taught). This isn't really a big deal, but I love it!</p>

<p>Will submit music supplement on the piano (Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique Movement 3)</p>

<p>You have a great resume that these colleges will love. I think you will get into both, especially considering that you are a legacy at USC. I would suggest not taking 7 AP’s next year, thats a bit overkill. Taking 3 and excelling in them is hard enough in my opinion :slight_smile: . As far as those subject tests, anything above 700 won’t hurt you, and anything above 750 will probably help you.
Good luck! Chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1625413-chance-me-for-top-schools-will-chance-back.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1625413-chance-me-for-top-schools-will-chance-back.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks! :)</p>

<p>You should get into Rice (ED). Your resume speaks out.
chance me- <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1624266-chance-a-struggling-sophomore.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1624266-chance-a-struggling-sophomore.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks! Any suggestions?</p>

<p>Bump!</p>

<p>and also these schools: UCLA, UCSD</p>

<p>Hello? :’((</p>

<p>Bump</p>

<p>All seem like matches (rice and usc may be harder than the other 2 but you have what they’re looking for i think) ! try to get at least 750+ on both subject tests though</p>

<p>chance me? <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1616663-please-chance-me-i-ll-chance-back.html#latest”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1616663-please-chance-me-i-ll-chance-back.html#latest&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks</p>