Chances for Princeton/UChicago/UC Berkeley?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hello,

I am a senior and applying to Princeton, UChicago, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Rutgers. I intend to major in pure mathematics.

Personal details:
New Jersey resident, South Asian, low income family (neither parents have college degrees)

Scores:
SAT Physics - 800
SAT Math 2 - 800
SAT - not taken yet (can get at least a 1500)
AP Calc BC - 5
Unweighted GPA - 4.1
Weighted GPA - 4.1
Rank - Top 3 of 40 students (most likely 1) in a magnet high school with a selective entrance exam and rigorous curriculum

College classes taken/will Take
-Multivariable Calculus (100 final average)
-Differential Equations (100 final average)
-Modern Algebra (a.k.a. Abstract Algebra) (97 final average)
-Real Analysis (projected above 100 final average)
-Complex Analysis (will take during fall)
-Partial Differential Equations (will take during spring)

Other math classes:
-Geometry (not that it matters) (A+ final average)
-Algebra 2 (not that it matters) (A+ final average)
-Linear Algebra (A+ final average)
-Discrete Mathematics (A+ final average)

I self-studied for the Calc BC test and got a 5 (during sophomore year, when I was taking Algebra 2), which lead me to taking college math classes afterwards.

Assume that I will have well-written, impactful essays.

Assume that I will have two glowing-hot letters of recommendations from teachers (math, physics) who can attest that I was the best they ever had, even after having many students who went to elite colleges, and a good letter of recommendation from a guidance counselor.

Extracurriculars:
-Math League Coach and President (I train/select students to represent my school at math competitions)
-Minor awards at math competitions (honorable mentions, AIME/ARML qualifier, etc.)
-Math research camp during junior year summer (but no papers published)

2

Assuming Rutgers is your safety? You have chances, but just realize that each of your schools listed (with the exception of Rutgers) are reach schools for everyone. I have friends with more credentials than you who applied to them and were rejected. Not saying you won’t be accepted, but I would personally have more back-up schools! Good luck :slight_smile:

3

UC Berkeley is a California public university and does not have the funds nor can provide financial aid to OOS students. If you are low income, this school would be unaffordable at $55k per year.

4

Do you have scores from AIME? A good 7+ score can be a nice boost. Also, college courses in high school help and you clearly have taken advantage of that.

At this point just do well on essays, you clearly have a passion for math and clear evidence of determination to pursue it. Can’t stress the essay enough though. If the essay is as good as it is and the recs are as assumed, I think you will do fine with the top schools.

5

How is it that your weighted and unweighted GPA are the same?

Why did you write that your geometry grade doesn’t matter?

You seem to be good in math but what are your grades in other classes? What type of rigor?

6

Since you are low-income, you’ll want to focus on schools that give strong need-based and/or merit-based aid.

Most public universities give pretty poor need-based aid to OOS students. Notable exceptions are Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina.

Most public universities also do not give a great deal of merit aid. Some that do give goodly amounts include Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Pittsburgh.

Other than those mentioned above, applying to an OOS public school does not make a great deal of sense from a cost perspective.

7

Reply to sgopal2:
How is it that your weighted and unweighted GPA are the same? - They’re not, it’s just that they rounded to the same value.
Why did you write that your geometry grade doesn’t matter? - I would think that colleges would care for my grades in my more advanced math classes.
You seem to be good in math but what are your grades in other classes? - Either A’s or A+'s in every other class, except for one A- in English.
What type of rigor? - I get A+'s in classes where the average grade is a C (even with students in the top percentile of high school students).