chances at UPenn, Northwestern, Tufts, Emory...

<p>Currently Junior at one of top public high schools in Georgia: Alan C. Pope High
Korean America male
(English is my 2nd language; lived in U.S. since for 6 yrs.)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.17 W, 3.85 UW Rank: 35/491 (I know its low…)
SAT: 1330(730/600)1st time-not good, I know; 2nd time goal: at least 2100(650 V/750 M/700 W)
(I got 2040(640V/740M/660W) on practice New SAT, if it helps any…)
- SAT IIs: Math IIC, US History, Spanish
So far I have taken Honors everything and 3 APs this junior year.</p>

<p>Senior courses (6 APs):
AP Literature, AP Gov and AP Econ, Spanish 7, Health/Fitness
AP Gov and AP Econ, AP Physics, AP Spanish, AP Statistics</p>

<p>ECs:
Habitat for Humanity 3 yrs- elected Vice President
National Honor Society 2 yrs- elected Treasurer
SGA 2 yrs – Homeroom Rep.
Key Club 3 yrs
Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society) 2 yrs
Math Team 3 yrs
Track (JV) 1 yr
Spanish Club 3 yrs
Spanish Honor Society 1 yr
Concert Band 2 yrs
summer camp @ Georgia Tech- Freshmen summer
Peru Mission Trip summer- Sophomore summer
ID Tech Summer Camp @ Emory summer- Sophomore summer
Student Conservation Association (I needed to submit recommendations from teachers and several personally written essays, hopefully I’ll get accepted into this month-long volunteer program where I’ll help with various construction projects of preserving nature)
Praise leader at my church (piano and guitar) since Freshmen yr
Vacation Bible School Teacher since Freshmen yr</p>

<p>Student of the Month (responsibility), Honor Band (trumpet), academic awards in World Geography, Spanish, and Math</p>

<p>Schools I am considering (please suggest any other selective schools if possible):
Columbia(should I even bother?)
UPenn
Brown
Northwestern
Emory
Tufts
NYU
Boston U
GA Tech
American U</p>

<p>Major: Urban Studies (any other prestigious schools with good urban studies program?)</p>

<ul>
<li>People from College Discussion have kept asking me this question (Where is your focus? What is your interest? Your ECs do not really show your true focus and no uniqueness.), and I believe my main focus is volunteering and helping the community. For example, all board members of the National Honor Society at my school meet weekly to organize school activities and come up with innovative ideas and activities to make the community a better place. </li>
<li>In addition, I really enjoy working with Habitat and the house building. We host many various fundraising activities to aid our process of dedicating a house to a lucky family each year. Therefore, I plan to volunteer at a national park away from home this coming summer with SCA.</li>
<li>My uniqueness, I believe, comes mainly from my original background of living in South Korea for 10 yrs experiencing a completely different life from one in America and vividly realizing my lifetime goal as a child. While beginning to help out the poor in the streets and encountering the bad aspects of today’s society as a youngster, I was immensely influenced by nature, growing up looking at mountains with gorgeous and indescribable rock formations that seemed as if God himself had carefully sculptured them. (I once saw an essay question in the Tufts University website, and I’ve always thought of this since then)</li>
</ul>

<p>Sorry I rambled on…this definitely isn’t my college application essay for sure.
I just became slightly offended when people told me I have no diversity and focus. If I misunderstood, then I sincerely apologize.</p>

<p>Lovely. Your uniqueness is circumstantial. I have nothing more to say.</p>

<p>thank you very much, lolok1214 for your comment.</p>

<p>can anyone evaluate my chances for each school, and name any other schools I should apply???</p>

<p>I don't think lolo meant that as a compliment. </p>

<p>Sorry, can't really offer any informed input on your chances. I'm <em>guessing</em> you have a shot at Emory, NYU, Boston and American. NU might be tough.</p>