Columbia, UChicago, Amherst, UPenn, Berkeley

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone, got my AP scores and made a few changes so id like to get an opinion on where I am and how I could improve! Applying early decision to Columbia. My major would be physics.</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay):
ACT (breakdown): 31 M 33 R 34 W 35 S (planning on retaking)
ACT superscore (breakdown): 33
SAT II (subject, score):
Unweighted/Weighted GPA: UW 3.91 W 4.69
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 2% in class of 700
AP/IB (place score in parentheses):
Chemistry (4)
Calculus AB (5)
US History (5)
Language and Comp (5)</p>

<p>Senior Year Course Load:
AP Macroeconomics (Self study)
AP Microeconomics
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics 2
AP Physics C: E&M (Self study)
AP Physics C: Mech (Self study)
AP Stats
AP Government
AP Lit
Academic Decathlon
Number of other ED applicants in your school: 0
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): Top scorer Academic Decathlon Nationals 2014 on team, Dozens of AcDec medals (nationals, state, region)
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): AP Scholar, National Hispanic Recognition, Recognition of excelling student in school district for AcDec</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Academic decathlon (10,11,12) Team captain [Last year was the first time our school has ever placed at a state level (lost by 1 test question for 1st place) and the first time our whole district won regionals and has advanced to nationals. We placed 6th overall in the nation.]
Chemistry Club (11,12)
Calculus Club (11,12)
Physics Club (12)
---(all tutoring, should have officer positions next year)
Interact Club (11,12)</p>

<p>Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community Service: Academic Decathlon fundraisers and school event organizer
Summer Experience: Boys State, mostly studying for extra ap classes and academic decathlon 2015
Teacher Recommendation #1: from AcDec coach, should be amazing as I've had her as my teacher for 5 years
Teacher Recommendation #2: From my AP lang and AP lit teacher who I've had for 2 (going on third) years
Counselor Rec: Should be okay, but not excellent
Additional Info/Rec:
Interview:
Not sure yet</p>

<p>Other:
U.S. State/Territory or Country: Arizona
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: Hispanic/ Mexican
Gender: M
Income Bracket Range: ~$110,000
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development):
URM</p>

2

<p>I think you’re a cometitive candidate, especially applying ED…I would say the extra-curriculars are a bit lack-luster, however adding some senior year will not help you and if you’re passionate about the ones you’re currently in, that’s what really matters in an application. Your test score and course rigor are exactly where they need to be. Best of luck to you!!</p>

3

<p>@mirandastern Thank you! My application will mostly be centered around AcDec, which is basically what I’ve spent hours upon hours doing my junior year.</p>

4

<p>Anyone have any other suggestions or comments?</p>

5

<p>Quick question, does anyone know how much being a URM helps for most of these colleges?</p>

6

<p>Amherst has a 37% Ed admit rate if you really want to go</p>

7

<p>I’d say you have a pretty good chance for ED at Columbia, but you really can’t predict this kind of stuff. If you really wholeheartedly want to go there then go for it. Good luck! </p>