So after being rejected from my ED and deferred from my EA’s, I wanted to try to figure out what my chances are at these schools? I have a 3.75/4.0 gpa uw and a 4.45/4.0 weighted. I’m 15/163. My SAT is a 1570 and I got 800 on math 2 and 790 on physics. My dream school is MIT so far and another top choice is Rice. What are my chances?
Plus my school is ranked 17 on usnews if that provides any context.
What major are you targeting? What is top weighted gpa possible at your school?
What courses have you taken, what are you taking senior year?
What ECs do you have, leadership positions, state and national awards?
Any hooks or something unusual?
What can you contribute to a school that they might want?
Have you looked at Naviance for your school?
Your test scores are excellent as you know. Your grades might be an issue at the most selective schools. When you are talking the most selective schools, they often consider the top 3 students At most schools, not top 10% unless the school has a track record of having kids go to these top schools.
What are your matches and safeties? You’ve GOT to start there, especially seeing as how you are zero for two+ right now.
Apply to MIT and Rice, but your chances are 7% and 11% respectively, at best (maybe half that if you are unhooked). Start by applying to at least three match schools, ones with acceptances rates in your major over 40% AND two likely schools, ones with acceptance rates in your major over, say, 60%. Get going on this… some deadlines are weeks away! Only after getting those apps turned in should you try for more reach schools.
Your stats are great. It isn’t you. It’s just that there are more “average excellent” kids out there than there are spots in the T20.
Thanks for the advice! I’ve already been admitted to University of Houston Honors and I’m pretty content with that as my safety. I’m also applying to Case Western and University of Rochester.
Thanks for your input! I’ve thought that abt my grades as well but does it mean anything that my school is very difficult and competitive? The top weighted GPA is a 4.75/4.0. I’m taking 5 AP Classes AP Comp sci, AP Cal AB, AP Macro/Gov, AP Bio, AP Physics 2, 2 periods of health science, and regular English. Some hooks I’d say is I’m a first gen college student. My main EC is robotics which I am vice-president and co founder of. I spend more than 20 hrs on it every week and we just beat NASA’s high school team so im still on a high from that lol. Other than that I have to take care of my 2 autistic brothers a lot which doesn’t leave alot of room for extracurriculars but I teach religion, I play viola gigs and was in an orchestra for a year, I did HOSA and won area for Public health, and I did Physics Research for a summer at Indian Institute of Technology at Roorkee. As for awards, I’m in NHS, ap scholar with distinction, Questbridge finalist, and I’ve won a lot of school awards for being a topper in math/science classes.
I’m thinking of doing an engineering or physics major. Possibly going into medicine as a career a few years after I graduate undergrad as well but I haven’t figured that part out yet.
Congratulations on U of H honors. You have a good fall back in the bag. Rice will be very familiar with your high school, its high rigor, and selectivity. I think you have a good chance to be admitted to Rice, especially since you are a QB finalist and first generation. If you have not already submitted your application, put a lot of work into the “Why Rice” parts of the application. MIT is a crap shoot for everyone.
Congratulations on your acceptance! Is that school going to be affordable? Yes, you should apply to Rice, and they should be familiar with your high school. You might want to request an interview with Admissions there.
I think you should talk to your math teacher about advice on targeting some schools like Case and Rochester? Did you also look at Caltech? At Rensselaer Polytechnic? Stevens Institute? Also TAMU, UTDallas, Texas Tech?
Are you first generation going to college? Perhaps Duke, Union College, university of Richmond?
Yea I’m first gen. I’ve looked at Caltech but hesitated to apply because its the most selective school I’ve seen so far.
Also I’m not really interested in applying to any other safeties besides UH Honors to be honest since I’d like to stay in Houston.
Also I am ADD. Would it be wise to talk about this on my application?
No, it’s not a good idea to give colleges reasons to pause. The ADD is an issue that you need resolve for yourself in terms of what programs you can handle. Though it is clear you are gifted in mathematics, discipline and focus are critical to succeed in the field.
You have your safety school and do you can shoot for the moon. Where have you applied that did not accept you?
Do you know anyone associated with Rice that and your school that can help you in the process?
I have a pretty good idea what school you attend, and Im sure Rice does too. Does your school have students going to Rice.? Have you talked to your math teachers and counselor about this.
Though I understand that you want to stay in Houston, the geographics and your school profile would help you at other selective schools. Rice gets most all of the top Texas students applying there.
I think Duke and CalTech would be good reaches for you as well as MIT. All lottery tickets. I do think that a Small private school like Amherst, Swarthmore , Union would give you good support to bring out the best in you academically.