<p>I wasn't going to do this, since I know you all probably loathe these kinds of threads with a passion. But when I saw what straightforward and harsh responses you gave on another poster's 'Chances' thread, I decided that I should do it. I'd appreciate the same straightforwardness that I've seen, and any advice you might have on what I can do to improve my chances of getting in. Thanks!</p>
<p>Asian-American female (ouch)
Competitive suburban high school in an over-represented state</p>
<p>SAT I (two sittings): Math 760, Writing 800, Reading 800, Composite 1560 or 2360
SAT II: Bio 790, US 730, taking Math II and Chemistry in November
AP: US 5, Euro 5, Bio 5, Psych 5</p>
<p>No weighted GPA or rank at my school, although I will have taken the most AP’s out of my class (11)
A’s 9-11 except for two B+’s last year in AP Bio and AP Chem- I took both when I should have taken only 1, plus 2 other AP’s and 3 honors classes, so these grades suffered. How much will this hurt me?
Unweighted GPA from 9-11 is 93.9, highest in class is 97.28.
Senior year schedule: AP Calculus BC, AP English Literature, AP French, AP Statistics, AP Economics, Honors Physics, Mass Media. </p>
<p>EC’s
Research: (9-12) at nearby university’s medical center. Experience in microbiology, DNA engineering. Research in prostate cancer, ovarian cancer (hired by outside company), and diabetes type II. Member of American Association for Cancer Research. Submitted abstract on prostate cancer research and will hopefully present it at AACR Tumor Immunology conference.
Newspaper: (10-12) EIC of newspaper, internship at local newspaper (5 students selected from county).
Model UN: (9-12) President, numerous awards, chaired committees.
Dance: (9-12) Six years, numerous awards, qualified for national competition (group).
NHS: (12) Chairing Habit for Humanity project (I’ve also been on several Habitat builds).
Piano: (9-12) Just like every other Asian, 10 years, highest honors at state music festival.</p>
<p>RECOMMENDATIONS
Counselor: She loves me, but I’m not sure how good this one's going to be.
Recommendation 1: English teacher, Yale graduate, recommended me for Yale’s Directed Studies Program. He thinks I’m an excellent writer.
Recommendation 2: My AP US teacher. Offered to write my rec letter in junior year after teaching me for a few months, citing my writing and speaking skills, and the fact that I'm different from the other Asian kids in my school... so, fingers crossed that this one will be really good.</p>
<p>ESSAYS
Common App: my love of reading, tied in with newspaper and my little brother
Supplement: how I love skiing despite being awful at it</p>
<p>AWARDS, HONORS- Nothing amazing, as you’ll see
Member of American Association for Cancer Research
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Merit Semifinalist
Honor Roll all six semesters
American Chemical Society award- excellence in chemistry
Mount Holyoke book award- excellence in science</p>
<p>I'm shocked if you got through this. Thanks for your help!</p>