<p>I go to an extremely competitive high school, and many (like at least 10+ or 15) end up getting 2300 or higher on the SAT and perfect ACT's. In addition, all of us have 4.0 or close to 4.0 GPA's with tons of APs and IBs (like we all have 15 weighted classes throughout the four years of high school). On top of this, we are pretty equal in terms of extracurriculars and awards/ accomplishments. I know Ivies and top-tier universities only take like 1 or 2 students per school, so would this be a problem for me?</p>
<p>I have a 2300 SAT, and while that is a good score, it is on the low end at my school (3 people got 2380's so far and idk about the rest but probably in the high 2300's). A few of the students are involved in more extracurriculars than me, but they do not really have many awards in their activities (they do group activities like quiz bowl and robotics where you don't get individual recognition). I have a good number of extracurriculars (I am in the middle or mid-high range at my school in terms of number), and I have lots of awards in my activities. I devote a lot of time to each activity, and so there is more depth and quality. However, all the awards I have are regional level and state level (Model UN best delegate awards, Debate State top 5 and League top 5 awards, etc.). I only have one national award (3-time AIME qualifier) as of now that sort of distinguishes me (only 3 people have that and those three have lower SAT's), but that is not really thaaat impressive. So, I feel that all the kids at my school and me are pretty equal in front of a university. As of right now, the only thing going for me is that I am a girl (I believe I am the top girl applicant).</p>
<p>With that, is there anything I can do to improve chances? I certainly am doing research this summer, whether independently with my mentor from last year or through some summer camp, but I know at least some kids in my school will do that too. Also, I am doing HOSA, and I am trying really hard to make nationals. Except, all the other kids are also in HOSA and they might make nationals too. But other than that, I do not really see how to improve my application in a distinct manner. Any ideas of more unique awards or accomplishments?</p>
<p>On a last note, do regional and state level awards have value? In addition to the numerous Debate and Model UN awards, I also have some regional science fair awards and brain bee state finalist (top 5). So, what do you guys think?</p>
<p>This is not happening right now. This sounds more like boasting of significant accomplishments rather than complaining about a poor background. You have it all! I’m not saying you’ll get into Harvard (although it is possible), but you have strong chances at the other Ivies. </p>
<p>I know I have a good academic record, and I know I have really good chances of getting in to at least one Ivy league if I had not been at such a competitive high school. The reason I am worrying is that many people at my high school have similar academic records, and the major objective difference between me and them is that they have a higher SAT score. Subjective is subjective, so I cannot rely on that. </p>
<p>Is it true that top schools only take like 2 students per school? Also, do top universities just use SAT scores to sort people out and after you have a high enough score, does it not matter anymore for admission?</p>
<p>Is it true that top schools only take like 2 students per school? </p>
<p>-- No, that’s not true. Sometimes they take more than 2 sometimes they take less than 1.</p>
<p>Also, do top universities just use SAT scores to sort people out and after you have a high enough score, does it not matter anymore for admission?</p>
<p>-- Almost all applicants to top tier colleges have high test scores. You will have to have other qualities they are looking for. </p>
<p>It is a myth that top schools have school by school quota. Case in point: A few years ago 9 seniors out of my school were accepted to Stanford. The next year, only one was. While you may think that schools compare you to your classmates, that is only partially true. Rather the regional admissions officers are aware of each schools reputation, and will undoubtedly have more than one applicant from a high school, but will not go out of their way to compare you to your classmates. </p>
<p>In terms of SAT scores, GPA, etc, many top colleges use what is called the “Academic Index” to quantitatively compare you to other applicants. You can look up the formula yourself -I believe there is an AI calculator somewhere on CC- but the gist is that SAT/30 + 2 SAT2s/20 + CRS (a class rank score) = AI. The AI score is then divided into subcategories (similar to AP/IB test scoring) from 1-9 where 9 is the highest. </p>
<p>If you’re looking at ways to distinguish yourself from your classmates; write killer essays. While there are quite a few 2300+/34+, 4.0 UWGPA kids out there, very few can write an essay that really shows their personality. The CommonApp prompts are already available, so you can start figuring out what you want to write. That, more than anything will push you ahead of the pack. </p>
<p>All in all you are already a great candidate so don’t stress out. </p>
<p>Oh my god, 9 people from your school were accepted? That honestly makes me feel sooo much better. Do you know if this holds true in the other ivy leagues as well? </p>
<p>I have been thinking about various things I could do for my essays, but I cannot assure killer essays. I mean, I feel essays are luck in that sometimes they click and sometimes they don’t. I am very eloquent at times and write wonderful essays, but at the same time, I am also capable of writing average essays. Honestly, I feel I would do so well in an interview because I am very good at speaking and articulating about myself. But, I heard interviews are rather useless. </p>
<p>Also can you distinguish yourself based on your extracurriculars? I mean, my extracurriculars clearly show a passion for certain things. Like, Debate, Model UN, and Forensics show that I love public speaking (which I truly do). My research subject area, volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes, HOSA, Science Olympiad Events, and Brain Bee clearly show my interest for the medical field, especially neuroscience. And, Interact Club, Link Crew, Relay for Life Committee, and National Honor Society clearly illustrate my passion for helping others and wanting to make a difference in society. Honestly, those three things are basically what define me. The other applicants in my school do not really have that kind of focus. So, would this focus help me in any way?</p>
<p>Well in a past year we had 9 to stanford, 4 to harvards, and 3 to princeton…so the whole 2 per school thing is a myth. </p>
<p>The thing about writing essays -from my perspective anyways- is to write about something that really defines you; that makes you unique. Obviously some people have really dramatic or unique things to talk about -overcoming disabilities (that was mine), lgbtq, discrimination, death in the family, etc, but that by no means is a majority of applicants. Think of a moment in your life that really defines you -maybe what got you interested in medicine or just some moment that has stuck with you and defined your character- and just tell your story. The most important thing is that you grab the admission officers attention. He/She will read thousands of “My name is X and I am the most amazing human being in the world” essays. You need to give him/her something that shows plainly who you are. </p>
<p>Focused extracurriculars will definitely set you apart from the rest as the admissions officers want to see your interest in a field. Anyone can found a bunch of clubs. Not everyone has the time, patience, and dedication to do medical research. Like the A! admissions officers rate your extracurriculars out of 9 with high scores going to people who show real focus, dedication, leadership, etc, and low scores going to people who just did a bunch of resume padding. </p>
<p>My year, 9 people (out of 47) were accepted to Brown from my high school, 6 ended up matriculating.</p>
<p>I graduated nearly 10 years ago, but back then 40-45% of the class routinely went to ivies, it’s since dropped to ~1/3 since the college admissions game has gotten wilder. I’m of course not including the other fabulous, non ivy schools multiple kids get accepted to each year (e.g. Duke, Stanford, Williams, Amherst).</p>
<p>Honestly, this is making me feel a lot better. I am certain that probably more than two people will get accepted at colleges at my school then, because the people are really qualified and there are very small differences between us. </p>
<p>Also, @saif235, what defines dedication and leadership? Some of the clubs I am in, like Model UN are based on popularity and the officers win by popular vote, but they are not good at MUN. In other clubs, like Debate, I lead various workshops for the novice debaters on how to improve their debating skills, but there is no official leadership role. My club sponsor picks two or three of us who she thinks are good and we just hold workshops. Could I still put that on my app, even though there is no official leadership roles? Like, could I say unofficial team captain, because that basically is what I am? So, I am rather on the weak side for leadership in school (official officer for 3 clubs). However, I have strong leadership roles in the community. I serve on the city Historical Commission as a student rep and secretary, I am on the planning committee for the community Relay for Life, and I am the head volunteer at a nursing home in my city. </p>
<p>When it comes to dedication, I have done all my clubs all four years, and I win substantial honors and awards in them. There is no club where I just basically come to the meetings and that is it. However, many of my clubs are seasonal. Debate is the fall/ winter and forensics is in the winter/ spring. Many of the other clubs that my fellow applicants are in are quiz bowl, robotics, and deca. I didn’t do quiz bowl b/c it wud conflict with debate and I wudnt get individual recognition in quiz bowl. I quit Robotics after freshman year because it took too much time, I am not going into the engineering field, and no individual recognition. And DECA, my school requires you be in a business class, which I am not, and plus, I am not interested in the business field. But, these clubs r very popular from my fellow applicants. Like, everyone except two are in DECA. So, would this still be dedication, and is it bad I am not in the popular clubs ( I am also in MUN and HOSA which are two clubs everyone is in, but only two of us actually have awards for MUN)?</p>
<p>Well leadership is defined as either holding an official leadership position or unofficially having responsibilities in an organization -or some kind of family situation. For debate you could call yourself “debate workshop instructor” or something of that variety. Calling yourself an unofficial team captain will sound -to the admissions officers- like you’re inflating your extracurriculars. You’re not going to have much luck in terms of leadership with MUN if you don’t hold the officer position. School leadership vs community leadership doesn’t matter so much so long as leadership exists.The fact that you hold leadership in community organizations will help you. </p>
<p>Dedication is based on time and improvement more than anything else. If you’ve been showing up to club meetings for four years and have been showing significant improvement (in terms of awards, honors, etc) then you should be fine. Not being in the popular clubs won’t hurt you. The admissions officers will only see what you want them to see, so if you only spent one year in a club just don’t mention it in your application. Leave more room to talk about the stuff that you focused on. </p>
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