<p>This particular Asian student has SAT 1300, no AP, no sports, no music, and no office position. However, he was the valedictorian with a GPA over 4.5 from an under performed urban school. I don't know if his Asian status from a traditional black school makes him stand out.</p>
<p>dendankin... if others with lesser stats got in, and others with greater didn't, how can you possibly tell anyone that they are "dead at Amherst?" My advice still stands, as tansy agreed - nothing says he won't get in and nothing says he will, so he needs those essays. Suloshfets gave a good example of the diversity hook. OP has it, but now just needs to follow through.</p>
<p>i have to say the major flaw i see in your application is in the rigor of your courseload...in many instances you chose to take easier class. Amherst wants students who (usually) take the most rigorous courseload available, meaning AP Bio soph year, AP Eng junior year, AP history any year.</p>