<p>I'm an Asian female, just completed junior year (I don't know if ethnicity would benefit me at all- but I am Chinese/Japanese/Taiwanese aborigine).</p>
<p>Rice University is definitely my dream school in almost every aspect- activities, academics, location. But I do want to be realistic about my chances of getting in. Note that I am going to apply early decision (and yes, I am serious enough about getting in that I'd be willing to commit, were I accepted).</p>
<p>Though I most want to know my chances for Rice, here are a few other schools I'm interested in:
- University of Chicago
- Cornell
- NYU
- Seattle University
- Binghamton SUNY
- Willamette
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- University of Washington</p>
<p>I realize that Rice, UChicago, etc. are probably "reach" schools, considering my GPA. But I'd still like to get your opinion.</p>
<p>Grades
Unweighted GPA: 3.67
I don't know my weighted GPA at the moment.</p>
<p>Class Rank
Top 10 percent- probably the top 5 percent, but my school hasn't released it.</p>
<p>AP/Advanced Courses
I've taken the following:
- AP U.S. History (score: 5)
- AP English Language (5)
- AP U.S. Government (3)
- AP Statistics (5)
- Advanced Spanish (for which I will earn credit at Eastern Washington University- this is three years of Spanish)
I plan on taking the following:
- AP Calculus BC (here, I am technically registered in the AP Calculus AB class, but will be independently studying for the BC test)
- AP English Literature
- AP Environmental Science or AP Chemistry (undecided)
- AP European History</p>
<p>Test Scores
SAT: 2260
- Math: 670
- Writing: 800 (Essay: 11)
- Reading: 790
SAT Subject Tests:
- Math II: 650
- U.S. History: 650
- Literature: 720
ACT: 33
- Math: 32
- Writing: 33
- Reading: 33
- Science: 34</p>
<p>I plan on re-taking these tests in the fall to improve my math scores, and to score better on the subject tests overall.</p>
<p>PSAT: 224</p>
<p>Activities
Orchestra (violin/viola)
- Eight years; 2nd chair in an audition-only group; state competitor
Marching band (pit)
- One year
Choir
- two years
Future Business Leaders of America (competitive team, service club, and career-development all in one)
- Three years; public relations officer; state & national competitor
Debate
- Four years; board member; co-president; state competitor
National Honor Society
- Three years
Green Club (a club for environmental awareness)
- Two years
Theatre
- Two years
Gay-Straight Alliance
- Two years
Math is Cool
- Two years; state competitor</p>
<p>Awards and Honors
FBLA (national competition is this summer)
- 5th place (regionals) Impromptu Speaking
- 5th place (regionals) Business Ethics
- 4th place (state) Impromptu Speaking
Debate (there are too many to list- here are a few)
- 1st place Championship Parliamentary Debate - Whitman Wilcox
- Quarter-finalist Lincoln-Douglas debate - University of Puget Sound
- 5th place Speaker - University of Puget Sound
- Superior Distinction - National Forensic League
- 1st place Varsity Lincoln-Douglas debate - Couer d'Alene
Letters
- I have lettered 4 times in debate and 2 times in orchestra.
Misc.
- Superior presentation - Spokane Youth Environmental Conference
- Projected National Merit semi-finalist
- Two published books</p>
<p>Volunteer Work
LGBTQ outreach
- I'm currently volunteering/undergoing training through the local LGBTQ outreach center. I expect do around 100 hours there this year. We're currently working to convert the local animal shelter into a no-kill organization.
Debate/NFL
- I do about 60 hours a year volunteering through my debate team- coaching, judging, and various other work (e.g., waste management at community events).
Misc.
- I would estimate about 80-100 hours a year are spent on things like food drives; fundraising; tutoring; walks for cystic fibrosis; and tours with my chamber orchestra (we play at elementary schools, nursing homes, etcetera).</p>
<p>--</p>
<p>I will be adding information as it comes to mind/comes up in the thread. Thanks in advance to anyone who's willing to help me out, here.</p>