<p>Hi, everyone! I'd really appreciate it if someone could take the time to let me know my chances for Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Penn, and Vanderbilt (applied for the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship). I realize that admissions can be totally unpredictable at these schools, so I'm just looking for someone to give me an idea of how competitive my application is. I was just accepted REA to Notre Dame, but I'm not sure if that gives a good idea of how admissions in March will go. Thanks so much for taking time to read this!!</p>
<p>SAT: 2360 (790 CR, 770 M, 800 W, 10 E), 1560 CR+M
ACT: 35 (36 E, 36 M, 33 R, 33 S, 9 E)
SAT Subject Tests: 800 Math II, 770 Math I, 760 Bio M, 740 Latin, 720 Lit. (I retook Latin in December, and I think I got much closer to an 800 this time)
GPA: 4.0/4.0 (UW), 4.38/4.5 (W, highest in class)
AP: Calculus AB (5), Psychology (5)--my school only lets us take 2 AP classes beginning junior year
Senior year classes: AP Biology, AP Physics 1, AP Calculus BC, AP Latin IV, Honors Spanish IV, AP Gov., Brit. Lit., Theology (all As this semester)
Ranking: My school doesn't rank, but my counselor was going to mention in my recommendation that I would be 1/253 if we did rank</p>
<p>Awards: I don't have any major awards, but I have the following:
National Merit Semifinalist (2014)
3-time gold medalist on National Latin Exam (2012, 2013, 2014; perfect score on exam junior year)
Better Business Bureau Student of Integrity Award: each high school (about 70+) in central Ohio nominates one student for the award, and ten nominees are selected as winners (2014)
Rensselaer Medal (2014)
Distinguished Scholar Award from Mechanisms of Human Health and Disease Program (2014)--I'll explain this below.
Lisa Marryott Service Award, Msgr. Spiers Service Award (2013, the two highest service awards at my high school--I mentioned these in the additional information section)
President's Volunteer Service Award (2013)</p>
<p>Extracurriculars (leadership in parentheses):
Mechanisms of Human Health and Disease summer program at Children's Hospital: so, this is the most prestigious summer program for STEM students in central Ohio. It's a 6-week class in molecular pathophysiology, organic chemistry, anatomy, public health, etc. for prospective pre-med students. We took tests every day and presented a research project at the end. I graduated as the Distinguished Scholar with the highest grade out of the 27 participants, and I earned a research position at the hospital next summer. Also, I'll be a teaching assistant every summmer for the program. For comparsion, the average participant in the program had a 4.0 UW GPA, 33+ ACT, and 2100+ SAT. I explained this class in the extracurricular supplements for each university to which I applied.</p>
<p>Pianist at church parish and retirement community: I accompany the organist for many of the Masses, and during her illness this year I've taken on many of the responsibilities of a full-time church musician (2011-2014). Also, I play piano for Catholic liturgies at the parish retirement community and began an annual Christmas sing-a-long for the residents there (2011-2014).</p>
<p>Nationwide Children's Hospital volunteer (2011-2014, Volunteer of the Month)</p>
<p>Cross-country (2011-2014, 3-time varsity member and 3 varsity letters, Scholar Athlete award)</p>
<p>Student Council (2011-2014, senior class president, junior class president)</p>
<p>In the Know Team--similar to a quiz bowl team (2011-2014, team captain, varsity member)</p>
<p>National Honor Society (2013-2014, president of NHS, I began the new tutoring program and coordinate volunteers)</p>
<p>Columbus Zoo and Aquarium employee (2013-2014, 20 hours/week in the summer and during Wildlights season in December)</p>
<p>Piano teacher (2013-2014, 3 students)</p>
<p>Choir and Worship Band accompanist (2011-2014, head pianist)</p>
<p>--Also, I explained in the additional information section that I've contributed 575 hours of service to the community and explained that my friend and I recorded a benefit CD of Christian music to raise money for a local charity that helps low-income families. We've produced 100 copies of the CD and are starting sales next week, so we will raise at least $1,000. Most likely will produce more copies.</p>
<p>Recommendations and essays:
Teacher #1: awesome recommendation, I love her. She was my calc AB teacher and mentioned that I was one of the top 2 students she's encountered in her 30+ years of teaching AB.
Teacher #2: my accelerated chem. teacher from last year. Really strong rec probably (she isn't always super articulate, though)
Teacher #3 (only sent this to Harvard): my English teacher for the past 3 years. He's awesome and really attested to my writing ability and critical thinking
My Common App essay: really, really proud of it. I spent about 2 months brainstorming and working on it. It's about my struggle with Tourette's, and I think it reveals a lot about me. Not sure if Tourette's counts as diversity or a "hook," but I didn't write it with that intention. Connects Tourette's to my passion for medical science.
Supplements: my Harvard and Penn supplements are the strongest of all the places I applied (letter to roommate and "Why Penn" supplements). My Yale and Princeton supplements showcased my quirky side a little more I think. I just used a really casual tone in all my essays and wanted the reader to get to know me. I also thoroughly explained the Mechanisms program in the appropriate part of each supplement.</p>
<p>Thank you SOOO much for your time, everyone. Sorry that this is super long and detailed, but I don't think I forgot anything. Just wanted to give everyone an accurate picture of my application!!</p>