Chances for UPenn,UC, JHU, Duke

<p>okay, I posted this a long time ago, but had no test scores yet. now, after finishing all of my standarized testing, it might give a better perspective. </p>

<p>JUNIOR</p>

<p>Grades/Rank/Tests</p>

<p>GPA: 4.00 UW, 4.63W
Rank: 1/500 competitive public (hopefully, it'll stay there)
Test: ACT-34 SAT II: math II 800; U.S 770; physics 740; chem 710
Classes: most rigorous
AP: taken- Chem and Euro 5's
took this year: Calc BC, US, Physics<br>
will take next year: Spanish, English Lit, Biology, Stat, Gov, Macro</p>

<p>EC/ Awards
Math Team 9-12: bunch of regional and state 1st and 2nd
AMC 10: 120 (school winner) AIME qualifier
Science Oly 10 club got cancelled this year: regional medals 3rd
Chamber Orchestra 9-12: Violin; quartet got selected to go to a state symposium
Varsity Tennis
Hospital Internship 11
nursing home volunteer 9-12 ~120 (started a music program b/c they didn't have any)
NHS 11-12
WYSE 11-12
Nominated for NCTE writing, will hear final result this fall.</p>

<p>Got an internship at Mass Gen this year. (you know, where Ted Kennedy is getting his sugery done. :) ) So, I'm hoping to complete a research for Siemens or Intel.</p>

<p>I know, it looks kinda of pathetic now that I've listed them all. No leadership positions whatsoever. I know I got a lot of weakness: no passion/leadership. </p>

<p>Schools:
University of Chicago
Duke
Johns Hopkins (#2)
UPenn (#1)</p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

<p>I would say you have a great shot at all of those schools. Good Luck! =]</p>

<p>glad to hear.
bump</p>

<p>bump 10 char</p>

<p>bump again</p>

<p>I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not as optimistic as christianh is. You're solid, but you yourself noted weaknesses. </p>

<p>You're well-rounded, but what will make you stand out? </p>

<p>Most or all (depending on what school of UPENN) are attainable, but I don't think any one is "in the bank."</p>

<p>thanks. I think I needed to hear some criticism. most of my friends say that I'm capable, but I had some doubts. It's good to hear someone else mirrors my concern.
anyone else?</p>

<p>In general: You already know your strengths and weaknesses. Your ECs are not outstanding, but they're really not that bad. To me, it looks like for an applicant with excellent objective stats you've probably done enough extracurricular-wise to get into top schools. </p>

<p>University of Chicago-Essays are critical here. If your essays show that you are a Chicago-y student, I bet you'd have a 65-75% shot here, maybe more.</p>

<p>Duke-More difficult than Chicago, but then, probably a hair more objective-stats friendly. I think you have very strong chances here, but a rejection is a possibility. Still, your extracurriculars are better than another 4.0 valedictorian I know who got in---not that two different applicants can be considered the same on the basis of two stats (GPA and rank)---so my guess is that you have strong chances (60-70% is my guess)</p>

<p>Johns Hopkins-I think there's a possibility that I underestimate the difficulty of JHU admissions, but I'm betting that you're in here. Although Hopkins is probably a hair more difficult for math\science people, you have well-rounded grades and ECs, so I don't see a weakness significant enough for you to not get in. Of course, it all comes down to the applicant pool, but my guess is that you'll get in.</p>

<p>UPenn-Probably the most difficult school on your list. Assuming you're not aiming for Wharton, you've got strong chances here. Given that its an Ivy with lots of 4.0 applicants, I'd say you have about 50-50 chances, since you don't have a huge WOW factor with your ECs. That being said, you have a chance to wow them with essays and even possibly with recs, so your chances could improve.</p>

<p>thanks silverchris. that was really helpful.
yeah, i realize that i lack the WOW factor in my ECs. not so proud of that, but i'm hoping my summer research at Mass Gen will bump me up a bit.
more criticism?</p>

<p>You are in at all of them.</p>

<p>umm... do I sense sarcasm?</p>

<p>You have a good chance at all of those schools. But good chance is not enough when you want a place to go that you like. I suggest you look long and hard for a good "safety" school where you know you will get in, and will still serve your purposes. Then you can be as top heavy as you want.</p>

<p>oh yeah, I do have a couple of safeties that I like. These schools are just my "top heavy" selections. I don't think anyone would be comfortable applying to just these four schools. :)
thanks.</p>

<p>bump 10 char</p>

<p>anyone else?</p>

<p>looks good to me, but no leadership might hurt you a bit. And you can never tell.</p>