<p>Awesome stats! And your ECs sound fairly strong to me, actually. They all show commitment and a passion for learning and excellence (especially your newspaper and AcDec stories). And it’s generally said that colleges–especially the top ones–don’t like you just having a “laundry list” of ECs you joined just to put on your college app. On all of the apps I’ve seen, they only let you put 5-7 of your most important commitments anyway. So if you’re able to write a great essay and convey your passion for learning and achievement, I think you’ll do really well. :)</p>
<p>Now, I’m not all-knowing here, so don’t take just my word on this. Lol. But my opinion is that with your amazing stats/ECs/essays, plus the fact that you’re a CA resident, you should be an in for all of your CA schools (except for Stanford, but that’s a reach for everybody, of course. Lol).</p>
<p>Have you considered applying to any of the Ivies? I know it’s not good to apply just because of the name, but all eight have unique personalities, and I’m sure you could find one that you personally like. And one non-Ivy that I’d recommend (although I might regret this, considering you’d become competition for me… Lol) is the University of Chicago. Everything I’ve heard about UChicago is always centered around its students’ love of learning for the sake of learning. Based on what you said about AcDec, it sounds like you’d fit in really well there. :)</p>
<p>And by the way, I just want to say: I really appreciated your words about Academic Decathlon. Your dedication really shows, and I hope that the experience serves you well when you put it on your apps. I TOTALLY agree with what you said. I’m one of those nerdy kids who loves learning too, and I’m so incredibly grateful that I was able to meet people I could connect with in the class. I don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t joined, but I do know that I would be a much less confident person and much worse public speaker. Haha.</p>
<p>Anyway, good luck on your college apps! And I’d definitely recommend UChicago. Who knows, if we’re lucky, maybe we’ll see each other there next year… Haha. :)</p>
<p>Thanks for chancing me, btw!</p>