I think your application will be seriously considered. What may make the AO advocate for you in committee is providing them a solid reason why you did these activities. What did you get out of them, what do you hope to accomplish further? Provide a 3D picture of you through your essays and recommendations that show what kind of student you will be on campus and what motivates you. Good luck!
I’m calling BS on this. Everything on here might be technically true, but it all seems grossly exaggerated/misleading. Admissions officers will see right through this. For instance, calling yourself a visiting researcher almost certainly mis-characterizes the position you had.
I take each post as written. The answer is not binding anyways. Some kids, I suspect, want to see what outermost limit is for sure acceptance.
If this student has great research skills and an area of interest as Elizabeth Holmes did some years ago when she attracted Stanford ‘s attention to the point of getting rare research funds as a freshman along with acceptance, the teachers, professors, mentors will have apprised her far better than any of us can in terms of her chances of acceptance at those schools. No need to write these posts. Because we are blind as to the quality of the research and ECs.
But I answer these posts because others read them and can see that a lot is dependent on how specific the research is and the standard used.
Schools in my area are big on Intel and other major science competitions. I’ve known a number of kids who have gone that route and with other impressive EVs and great stats too the top of that group do end up at HYPMSC; two I know personally went to Vanderbilt, they weren’t top competitors but did participate. Still another to Barnard.
Most high school research even in the big name events does not automatically catapult you into the very top schools.
You have quite a few very strong accomplishments. Work on focusing them into cohesive narrative. Your stats are great. If you truly have a safety locked in - great, if not make sure you have a few.
The risk is he’s too pointy. He seriously needs to understand what these colleges look for. I highly doubt adults believe a 16 year old can truly teach stock market. Etc.
There’s a whole side missing here that adcoms need to see. Thousands of applicants will have solid accomplishments, top stats, etc. And present as better rounded, giving in ways outside their exclusive interest areas, and the sort who’ll be great friends and roommates.
An admit is not some race to the top.
Fine. I can accept that as an approach to answering these prompts.
I do find it ironic, though, that you used Elizabeth Holmes as an example considering it has turned out that she was a complete fraud who grossly overestimated her research background and ability.
@cptofthehouse I completely understand the POV you provided… obviously no one on CC is reading my research or my narratives/essays about it and my other ECs, so only so much can be predicted on here. Thanks for that feedback!
@TheSATTeacher @lookingforward Again, as @cptofthehouse stated and I said above, I agree that you only predict so much with the info I’ve given. However, keep in mind that ECs are not going to reveal much of my “humanity” and roundedness/motivations — my essays are the place for that. I appreciate the perspective you gave, because that gives me the mindset I need to write my essays with… one of demonstrating my enthusiasm and background for everything I’ve done and the depth with which I’ve done it — anecdotes will be key! In general, I don’t think there’s any need to call BS or assume I’m unilateral. Suggestions for presenting my narrative would have been sufficient 
@nvb123 Just going on what you did show here, you do need to think about whether it meets what your college targets look for. You get to choose the targets, but they get to choose the individual kids they want. Many CC posters will offer encouragement. Great. But summer before senior year is your last chance to fill in some blanks, straighten your thinking, and proceed in the best ways.
You asked about Ivies and other top schools. Not Any College. They do look to glean what they can from your ECs. Those represent choices- through hs and how to present in the app. (And choices represent your thinking.) They do look for “rounded,” which gives an idea of how you’ll fit in their community (not just in classes,) how open you are to more than just pre-formed ideas.
Not sure how you can make up for this in the essay, at this point. The whole principle is, “Show, not just tell.” I don’t think you’re an imposter. I DO think you need to learn a lot more about what these tippy tops value and look for. If it’s not in your list of ECs and more, think what you can add. If it’s your approach, think how you can broaden your understanding.
None of getting into a tippy top is resting on your laurels. None of this is purely hierarchical, for a top holistic college. It’s not more of this, better at that, or some bigger awards. Certainly not ground-breaking research (thousands of kids will be involved in research.) Not founding something and describing it as an adult level. It’s not about “spike.” It’s you, as a whole person. Your app, as a whole. Not just one section CC thinks can make up for everything.
Can you show us this openmindedness? Will your app show it?
If you have more ECs, feel free to let us know. We’re not here to blow your mind, nor offer blanket encouragement, but to help you view in broader ways.
I used Elizabeth Holmes as an example, because she is the only verified (to me) person who was accepted to Stanford on the basis of research and given merit money for it. This does happen and it’s rare. That it turned out as it did is not relevant here.
Research and the publications that come from it has to be verified by someone and assessed to what the level is. A huge number of highschool students these days have research, publications, companies they started and other glorious sounding things that need to be assessed
@cptofthehouse Thank you for the insight!
Hey, I looked at your Chance Me post a year ago and you said you worked on the Human Connectome Project at WUSTL for the 2.5 years AND on it at Penn also. Others have said your research seems isolated and far-fetched, but make it clear to adcoms its not (basically most opportunities tie back to one project–> even the nueroimaging at Oxford is in the same field). If you get the chance to talk about any research that you published, it will demonstrate a true interest… which may be what lookingforward is looking for. As for being rooted in your community (which some thought you were not) , I think the club, the Peerlift, and the SAIS thing is very rooted into the community. Honestly, reading over your qualifications I also can’t see a clear story you can tell. TKD is obviously important, but so is Model UN, and then a CEO of an organization, but the most important is all the research! All I can say is that if you really want a Chance Me, then look to harvards admissions process. They rate students 1-4 (1 is best) in four categories: academic, personal, athletic, and extracurricular… if you fit yourself into these categories, you legit have a great chance. Apparently, if you have 2 or less in three categories you have like a 60% chance, according to the article I read, of getting in. You have athletic, you have academic, you can probably get ec’s, and personal: tell your story through the app. Of course, there are a ton of other factors.
Did you get into upenn?
@MaybeIvy2020 i did REA to stanford instead. i was accepted. i’ll be applying to penn RD. i think i’ll go to stanford probably tho
congrats!
Congrats nvb123, My DDSDDS was just accepted too!