Relevant Coursework: AP US History (5), AP Lang (5), AP Computer Science (5), AP Chem (4), (Senior Year: AP Calc AB, AP Biology, plan on self studying for AP physics but have been highly discouraged so probably not.)
Awards: High Honors, AP Scholar w/ Distinction, #1 in statewide Comp Sci Competition
Extracurriculars:
Founded NJ Chapter of nonprofit organization to promote STEM globally (especially in underdeveloped countries) , hired a Board team and worked with donators and corporate sponsors to set up multiple successful charity events, raising over thousands of dollars, building several schools for locations in extreme poverty.
President of National Honor Society at my school, again used charity contacts to provide large amounts of volunteer hours.
Founded Engineering club for Minorities, which led to represent our school at several competitions throughout the year.
Founder of Model UN, debating global issues in conferences at local universities.
Board Member of Med Club (work on volunteering and promoting awareness of medical fields and pathways)
Selected as an ASPIRE mentor for my school, which are a group of highly qualified seniors who guide and help freshman ease the transition Into high school while also keeping track of several issues such as mental health awareness.
Board Member of Computer Science Club (worked on developing facial recognition for school attendance)
Science Olympiad Team Leader (went to regionals, nothing really special)
other small stuff not important
Volunteer/Work
Volunteer work at my local library as a tutor.
Volunteer at Nursing home
Essays:
Very, very good and extremely moving. 9.5/10
Princeton (#1 Choice) Supplements (9/10. 10/10, 10/10, last two were short essays)
Other:
Applying for financial aid
Ethnicity: Asian male
NJ Public School
I know, I know. The Ivies are highly selective schools, and I totally understand that a lot of highly qualified applicants will be turned down. However, the human part of me just can’t help wondering whether or not I have any sort of chance at being admitted. Specifically, will these schools look past my average numbers and see the time and commitment I have placed on my EC’s which I hope shine through on my application? I just wanted to make this quick thread to see what you all would think. Thank you all SO MUCH for any help I can get, I wish everyone else the best of luck as well!
(Also this is like my first post so lowkey idk what im doing, I hope I did this right.)
NYU is bad for financial aid, even though it’s likely the best chance school of your choices.
I would suggest looking into some Southern schools (Vandy, Tulane, Emory) as possible targets. Case Western might be another school you should look into as well.
If you don’t mind the Midwest, Chicago, Northwestern, and WashU can be targets although WashU isn’t the best for financial aid.
@Hamurtle Wow thanks for the advice! I was thinking that too, and Vanderbilt and Emory are some other options I have laid out. Financial aid aside, do you think that holistically I would be a strong applicant for Vanderbilt and Emory? I also really do not prefer the midwest, but looking into Northwestern. (also forgot to mention I am on the pre med track)
@iiRoMii Vandy and Emory are pretty holistic and most Asians don’t think about Southern schools.
You might be a viable candidate for Rice as well. Be sure to have some safety schools. Since you’re in New Jersey, Rutgers is your safety.
For premed, make sure that the school is one that is affordable and one that doesn’t deflate your BCPM GPA. In which case Johns Hopkins is the least ideal.
I would consider Tulane. There is no app fee and it has a pretty decent medical school. You will need to do some research into it but New Orleans is a fun place to go to school.
Don’t discount the Midwest. Chicago, Northwestern, Case, and WashU all have top notch medical schools and are known for premed, although Case might be the one school that does less grade deflation for premeds.
Oh and I forgot to mention, my intended route is down the Pre Med track, with a major in Biomedical or Biological Sciences/Biochemistry if there is one at a college.
Do you know how much financial aid you may qualify for? Have you run the net price calculators? Do you know your EFC? Does your family have the resources to pay for the kind of colleges you aspire to?
Don’t kill your GPA by going to an elite or grade-deflating school. Look at Rutgers, TCNJ, or other in-state school. Get a high GPA and kill it on the MCAT. Save your money for med school.
@momprof9904 the thing is, due to visa issues I am actually considered an international student and I have a sister who would be going to college right after me which hurts, but I am hoping to qualify for merit/need blind scholarships. It would be hard for my family to contribute a lot, although I do not know the exact numbers.
@bigmacbeth thank you so much for the advice. I will be sure to keep this in mind. However, my question is, if I could make it to an elite institution would it not be looked upon higher as I apply to Medical School? Do you think I could make it to one? Thanks
@Sybylla I have a safety at SUNY Buffalo and hopefully Rutgers, who will probably give me a good scholarship. I just made this post to see if I have any chance at Princeton or most Ivies, who would be very generous with aid.
Hopkins and WashU are noted for some pretty tough pre-med classes. WashU chemistry classes (General and Organic Chemistry) are pretty brutal. You could easily end up with a relatively low GPA from a Top-20 and that will not help in medical school application. The General Bio classes are more straightforward but the instructors could be better.
I have seen some literature from WashU that mentions that there is a certain boost for their premeds, but you will need to be around a 3.6 cumulative GPA with a roughly 3.7 BCPM GPA.
@Hamurtle Wow, you seem to know a lot about the inside classes lol. that does make it seem difficult, and you’re right I do not wish to pay too much for a pre-med. Last question though, do you honestly think I could be qualified for a TCNJ/Rutgers scholarship? Thanks
If you’re a non-DACA international student, you need to completely rethink your college strategy. Even though most of the colleges mentioned will meet “full” need for international students, almost all of them (with very few exceptions) are need aware for international students. Your credentials, especially as an Asian male, are not strong enough to overcome this disadvantage. Rutgers does offer merit aid to international students, but its most generous aid, the Presidential Scholarship (pretty much a 4-year full ride for in-state recipients), is only for domestic students.