<p>Great applicant, wish I had such intellect. My advice, sit down and figure out NOW what it is exactly that you want to do in college (i.e., your major, undergrad research, etc.). Then, do a Westinghouse/Intel Science project in that field. Found an organization that helps get people interested in that field. Do independent research in that field. Take college courses in that field. You see where I'm going with this? You got incredible stats. You've done leaps and bounds more than most of us here could hope to do, but what's more is that you've done it all before your senior year, wow. If you can just take the skills you've developed and focus them, so not only do you have a direction in your life but your essays will be that much stronger, you can go anywhere you want. Perhaps you might even get scholarship offers or full rides.</p>
<p>It sounds like you want to do science. I would do RSI, start on a research project for Intel/Westinghouse, and start taking courses in higher bio sciences. Good luck and good job.</p>
<p>great advice, reptile 233. About what science field, I'm tilting towards bio but I haven't had a chem course yet in high school so I just cant say yet. I'm proficient in physics but I dont think that I will be pursuing it too far in college.</p>
<p>Should I pursue bio, at least for the time being, and then as first year in college take a wider range of classes before i declare a major?</p>
<p>Also, for harvard (and to a lesser exten MIT and CalTech), is it easier to get accepted for specific science fields and then to switch over later? I was wondering because it would seem to be harder to get accepted for bio than, say chem or something.</p>
<p>The first thing I'd say is that we have a freakishly similar situation. I am also an asian male applying this coming year (although as a senior) with what will most likely be very similar stats.</p>
<p>The thing that gets me, though, is that we both went to nationals (although I went in policy and did not break) and even placed at the same percentile in the USAMO. (also the second kid from my school to ever go) As far as your application goes, I'd hope you have a good chance for selfish reasons, but you should realize that it will be much more difficult as a rising junior. Typically, you need to show extraordinary maturity and of course, tremendous academics- not that I don't think you have those things, but that the bar is set even higher and proving all of this is difficult on paper.</p>
<p>I don't think changing the major will affect anything substantive. I do think you should work on packaging your application to reflect a few themes. Instead of listing your biggest achievements in each subject, like math, debate, etc, I think you should present a pattern of awards/activities for each of your extracurricular commitments to demonstrate passion. For example, if you have other math activities (especially if they tie into math from another angle), then you can list those and hopefully unify that section of the application so it packs more of a punch to an admissions officer. Otherwise, there is the danger that people will see even something like the USAMO as something isolated and possibly even window dressing. (especially if they don't understand the acronym or scale of the competition).</p>
<p>As far as staying on another year, I think it would help, but it is ultimately a personal decision. If you would prefer to get ahead by a year, I think you're very much capable of it. That said, the decision might handicap you for college admissions and remove a possibly highly productive year.</p>
<p>I'd say that right now, you could count on schools like U Chicago, Wesleyan, Middlebury, and maybe even a school like cornell. If you waited a year, taking into account projected future achievements, I think the ring of safeties would expand to just about every school aside from HYPSM.</p>
<p>Oh, and there is an especially instructive post from earlier that I noticed- assuming that Tetrahedr0n is okay with it, this is his earlier chances post that is an example of showing a focus.</p>
<p>Hey, man. RSI is no fancy, shmancy thing. It's hard as hell to gain admission to, and the people there are a diverse financial group. If you get in you are in the VERY top percentile of college bound students. Hey don't list your major as anything biology related if you are going to apply next year. There will be some extremely overqualified seniors applying with you who will edge you out. Definitely find another niche of yours and use that. For example, since I was a concert pianist, I listed my majors as Music Performance(seemed probable/realistic) or Classical Studies(as I competed extensively in Latin and took advanced classes) or History. Any more questions just IM me at nomoreflab. That's AIM.</p>
<p>Um, I already got into RSI this year. And yeah, it worked. I put Music Performance and Biochemistry as areas I was most interested in. I mean I've played in Carnegie Hall and have been published 3 times and just finished my individual Siemens project. But if you're passionate in another area besides the sciences, I would recommend putting that on your application.</p>