SAT (new): 1560
PSAT: 1490/1520
SAT II: Math 2 (800), Bio M (800)
Intended Major: Environmental Science/Biology (something along these lines)
Asian Female at NYC school
Will have taken 14 AP courses by the end of high school, including:
Sophomore Year:
AP Bio (5)
AP Physics 1 (4)
Junior Year:
AP Language and Composition
AP US History
AP Chinese
AP Calculus BC
AP Environmental Science
AP Chemistry
Senior Year:
AP Literature and Composition
AP Physics C Mechanics
AP Economics
AP US Government
AP Spanish
AP Statistics
Unweighted GPA: 3.89 out of 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.61
Rank: Somewhere in Top 10
ECs:
Columbia SHP
Math Honor Society VP
Science Bowl Captain
Key Club
Volunteer as tutor
~50 hours of volunteering
Volunteer in Central Park
Science Olympiad
Summer Activities:
Intern at AMNH in NYC (2 summers)
Going to an international conference on conservation this fall based on what I did at AMNH
prob low for top schools. I know a lot of really qualified people this year who did not get into any of them, so you may not really stand out when compared with other candidates. Choose more match schools
^MIT is about as selective as those schools as well
I don’t think you’ll fare very well at those top schools due to your ECs. The internship is cool, but your other stuff is quite bland… I don’t even care to count how often I encounter ‘math/science/honors club VP/president/officer’ on this forum. I’m not sure how SHP will affect admissions since it’s something that is only open to people living within a certain radius from Columbia.
Your stats are great, but as @beepybeetle said, your ECs need work. I suggest this summer that you get involved with as many activities relating to biology, environmental science, or just science in general.
You’ll never know if you don’t apply. Your stats are good enough to not be immediately culled. Write a great essay. Have outstanding letters of rec. And, most importantly, apply to a portfolio of schools.
Pick 3-4, say Princeton, Harvard, and MIT since you list those, and then. 2-3 matches and at least one safety. Don’t let someone tell you don’t have a shot but don’t fixate on top schools as the only option. If you are sick at the thought of going to your safety, it’s not a safety or you need to rethink your priorities.
EDIT: Don’t apply to too many schools. You won’t have time to give due attention to supplements.
I agree with Sportsman88- you’ll never know unless you apply. I got into MIT and hadn’t planned on applying until the beginning of senior year because I didn’t know if I’d get in! All these schools are selective and very competetive, but you won’t know your chances until you apply, because what schools look for the most does vary a bit. A lot of qualified candidates do get turned away. Best of luck
You need a lot more volunteer hours and some recognition or awards. You will be going against applicants who have everything you have plus an olympic gold medal or something along those lines lol. My point is, find something to set yourself apart. What do you have that they don’t have?
@Syd340 will def be working on volunteer hrs this summer lol. for awards, i qual AIME 1x and 2x USABO semis which are like my “national awards”. would you say state level awards are worth throwing in there
Based on your grades, you have a pretty good chance with more competitive schools, but like what others said, nothings guaranteed. You’ll have to really work on your essays to make yourself look compelling. But i do think that what you’ve done is p unique i guess and make you more memorable
No one can chance when it comes to top universities - part of it is luck. Just apply to them (as well as some matches and safeties) and hope for the best.
