College admissions reflection + advice I learned along the way (Penn '15)

Applying to College Admission Stories
21

Thank you for the great post! I know you’re probably really busy, but could you PM me your stats as well? Thanks!

22

Probably the best post I’ve read on here in a while. Please PM your scores to me if you have time.

23

Show me the money!

After all that, the only thing most people really seem to care about are the stats. :smiley:

Yep, this is still College Confidential.

24

Sorry for the delayed replies. My inbox has been flooded as of late. But I’m glad to be of help!

For those asking for my stats, I updated my stats on my CC profile. But before you go there, here’s 3 things I’d like to address:

<ol>
<li>I’m 100% Chinese: born in China, first-gen immigrant, moved to US in 4th grade, etc. But I self-studied German and got an 800 on the SAT II. If I ever came close to a hook, that would probably be it. (And if you’re wondering why German - well, my middle school crush/high school boyfriend was German…which enough motivation for me :wink: )</li>
<li>Notice the lack of explicit leadership titles and community service. I never did community service in high school because I didn’t have time. But there are MANY other ways to show leadership and community service besides being president of the Key Club.</li>
<li>Finally, to quote CC:

</li>
</ol>

GO HERE: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/profiles/member_stat_view.html?user_id=395242[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/profiles/member_stat_view.html?user_id=395242&lt;/a&gt;

25

Is first generation your tip? Did your parents go to college anywhere?

26

^First-gen immigrant is not the same as first in the family to go to college. Unfortunately, that also means it’s not a hook.

Keep in mind, however, that adcoms evaluate your application in socioeconomic context. So a 2300 kid with a 3.9 GPA from inner-city LA is not the same as a 2300 kid with a 3.9 GPA from Greenwich.

27

Thanks for the incredible post, drunkofdreams!

Also, just out of curiosity, have you read [How</a> to Be a High School Superstar](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587"]How”>http://www.amazon.com/How-High-School-Superstar-Revolutionary/dp/0767932587) by Cal Newport? It seems like some of your advice came from there.

28

^Or maybe it is common advice.

29

Hello, I’m new to this site and I have some questions for you.

30

Will you please read my stanford essays?

31

^^^ OP hasn’t posted here in 9 months.

32

Oh my. You’re so impressive. All those top tier college acceptances. This is a great post! Makes me almost optimistic about colleges…Almost. I guess I’m still young though (Rising Junior).

33

Thanks! Very helpful. Good luck.

34

Very useful post. Thanks!

35

Hi, I like to know how a admission officer think about a Chinese who came here at age of 12 still take Chinese in HIgh school? doing so can significantly boost her GPA

36

This is amazing advice. Thanks for writing this. I’ve been putting together my essay, trying to find my voice and have gone through several drafts. You make it sound so simple, but in a good way. It really should be about be true to yourself and your voice. That’s how you can set yourself apart from the rest of the pile.

37

Hey, is your offer to look over application essays still good?

38

Thanks for sharing this!!

39

Hello my name is Ola Afolabi and i am a senior in high school i have some questions. first i would like to know if a 3.1364 unweighted gpa is good and if a 3.3551 a good weighted gpa.

40

@drunkofdreams, I’m Taiwanese and I’m currently a sophomore and we moved to the states just last year. It’s inspiring to know that you have achieved something so many of my friends are craving for. If you don’t mind, would you PM your stats, thanks!