I’m a high school freshman, and I’m graduating next year. I wanted to know if I was good enough to get into the colleges listed below, given that I’ve accomplished the following:
I've published one research paper when I was 12
I'm working with a professor in a university (a pretty famous one, but I won't reveal the name for anonymity's sake)
I've given a conference talk at an AMS national meeting
Active member of MathOverflow, and actively chat in the Homotopy Chat Room
Am collaborating on research with a grad student
Board member of a volunteer club in middle school (last year)
Active member of high school math club
Expert in LaTeX, HTML, JavaScript, etc.
Finished AP Calculus BC in eighth grade with a 5 and AP Physics C with a 4, the second of which I completely self-studied
I have all As and one B in this current semester, so my weighted GPA is about a 4.45-ish
I currently take Speech and Debate (the only class with a B, because I'm not really too good ad public speaking, which is why I really wanted to take this class),
PSAT score of 200 (first time I've ever taken it, on a recent practice test I scored a 230)
Mentoring a student in real analysis and topology at my local high school
Am currently attending my local community college
I have being playing the piano for about 7-8 years now and was part of my band last year but could not do it this year due to scheduling issues
Am currently starting a university-funded math circle (the same university mentioned above) at my local high school
I plan to apply to Ross and PROMYS and participate in the Intel ISEF (if I qualify) this year, and next year participate in the Intel STS. I’m also taking the ACT in April and the SAT IIs (Math II and Physics, practice scores predicted about a 790 and 760, respectively) in May (and if necessary I’ll take both again). I also plan to take AP Chem, AP World History, APUSH, and maybe AP Language as well, with only the first two actually being offered next year.
I’d like to know what my chances for the following colleges are:
Harvard
MIT
U Chicago
UCLA
UC-Berkeley
Princeton
Caltech
Stanford
Cambridge University
Oxford University
Cornell University
Northwestern University
UC Davis
USC
UT Austin
Will they take into consideration that I’m still a freshman and that I’ve not really accomplished much? Will they also take into consideration that I’m a recent immigrant (I moved here in 2013) and I’m not a permanent resident or a US citizen and therefore I (i) wasn’t really aware of too many things, and (ii) wasn’t eligible to participate in some things that I did know about? Also, for the mathematicians out there, which of these colleges are the best for homotopy theory?
Being a freshman might hurt you because of the maturity level. And how do you take APs in 8th grade??? Also you can’t apply to both Cambridge and Oxford. Based on your unusual circumstances it’ll be hard to tell but you seem like a genius so you’ll probably get into Oxford or Cambridge depending on which you will apply to and also some higher level American schools. Maybe not Harvard becuase your leadership. Princeton has an amazing math program so I suppose it’s the best in homotopy theory.
@jon212 My high school was kind enough to allow me to take APs in the 8th grade. Why can’t I apply to Cambridge and Oxford? I am a freshman, as you know, and my high school doesn’t allow freshmen to be board members of clubs, which is why I was a board member of the only club in my middle school. I’m sure Harvard will take that into consideration, won’t it? (I guess Princeton might be pretty good, but I think MIT and Harvard have the best homotopy theorists, like Jacob Lurie, Michael Hopkins, Haynes Miller, and many more.)
"Choosing between Oxford and Cambridge
It is not possible to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge in the same admissions round, so students will have to choose one or the other. Both universities are world-renowned in teaching and research in both arts and science subjects, so the decision is largely an individual one.
Some courses are offered at one of the universities but not the other. Check each institution’s Undergraduate Prospectus/website for details of courses on offer. However, it is important to be aware that courses with a similar title at the two universities may be different in content. It is therefore important for students to check the course details to see which one will suit them best.
Thanks for the info! I’ll try to get as much leadership as possible in the remaining 1.5 years that I have left, but I don’t wish to defer graduation. It’ll take me some time to explain it here and I’m on my phone, so I’ll write in more detail later.
Do you mean graduating after freshman year or sophomore year? I’m going to guess by “1.5 years that I have left” you mean after sophomore year. Anyway, what high school offers topology and analysis or did you just self study? Self studying wont help on applications(I’m in the same situation where I’ve self studied but can’t get credit). Also, keep in mind that the schools will never see your PSAT stuff because you’ll graduate before it, so all that matters is ACT/SAT.
Overall, with your your current stuff, I’d say:
Harvard: VERY High Reach
MIT: VERY High Reach
U Chicago: High Reach
UCLA: Reach
UC-Berkeley: Reach
Princeton:High Reach
Caltech: VERY VERY High Reach
Stanford: High Reach
Cambridge University: VERY VERY High Reach
Oxford University: VERY VERY High Reach
Cornell University: Reach
Northwestern University: High Reach
UC Davis: High Match/Match
USC Low Reach
UT Austin: Low Reach
Wth… is this even possible?
Gosh when I was in 8th grade I was still playing pokemon, not physics.
You sir are a kid genius.
I don’t know how to chance kid geniuses as I have no idea how they are seen by colleges.
Best of luck, even if you don’t get in you could probably cure cancer before your prom.
@reddr0p Does “reach” mean that I stand a chance, but it’s not very high? If my SAT and ACT scores turn out to be high, then will I stand a good chance in those schools that you predicted that I have a “high reach” for?
@ILoveUniv The scale is Safety -> Low Match -> Match -> High Match -> Low Reach -> Reach -> High Reach and so on. Reach being less of a chance of getting in. The problem is that those schools that they want the absolute best and it’s hard to do that with less than two years in high school even with a little bit of research and such.
What all classes have you taken that are either AP or DE(dual enrollment). If you only end up with Physics C, Calculus BC, AP Chem, AP World History, and APUSH, you’re a bit ahead for a sophomore but not for a senior; most seniors are at 10 or so AP/DE courses. Are you a full time student at the community college? if you are, then you have to apply as a transfer student and have almost 0% chance of admittance even with your credentials.
What all dual enrollment classes have you taken? Also, did you self study analysis or take a “real” class?
@reddr0p Oh no, I’m taking Multivariable and Linear Algebra at my local community college as well, though those are the only two classes after calculus available there. I hope they take that into consideration too. I self-studied analysis and topology, etc. But then I think I might take a homotopy theory class at the big university that I talked about in the main post if my situation allows for it. My situation is a little bit weird and involves personal issues, so I it puts tremendous restrictions on what I can take part in. (Will that be taken into consideration?)
@JustOneDad Yes, my parents are fully supportive of this plan. Also, I’m a boy.
@ILoveUniv If you write about it in your essay it definitely will be! Also, those DE classes are awesome! I’d say they boost your chances by quiet a bit! If you make sure to say why you topped out and such they’ll understand.
Anyways, you’re obviously really smart. Keep it up!
@ILoveUniv First things first, do your research.
You can’t apply to both Oxford and Cambridge. Also, on the UCAS application (the application that one uses to apply to the UK) there is no space to put up extracurriculars. Whatever your extra curriculars are, you can only mention them in your personal statement.
If your personal statement is good and your interview is good, you have a VERY good chance at Oxford/Cambridge
One of my closest friends got into Oxford law, and he only had 2190 SAT and half decent subject scores. It isn’t as hard as everyone thinks it is (getting into Oxford), you just REALLY need to know your shit.
@kausthubh0328 I know a lot about the American education system, but not that of the UK. Apologies if I seemed stupid there; thanks for the advice! I’ll be sure to keep that in mind when applying. So how would you “chance me”?
I think you should enlist the aid of university officials in your quest rather than trying to fly in under the radar as a regular student. That will probably increase your chances of admission and you will have some folks looking out for your personal interests as well.