<p>Looking at the CC profiles on this website is a study in paranoia. 24 APs, published in a scientific journal, part of the President's advisory team, etc., etc. I come from a small rural school in the midwest. My school offers 4 APs, 3 a year, and by the end of this year (senior year), I will have taken 7 (I studied outside of school + 5's on everything so far). I am also taking two very advanced, college level online math courses this year and even then I had to go to the school board and fight to get approval for them. I have taken advantage of everything my school has offered me and have gone above and beyond outside, especially where it comes to my ECs. </p>
<p>And then I come on CC.</p>
<p>I can't help thinking that the kids on here that cure cancer come from schools and communities that give them the opportunity to do so. So do colleges really look at where you come from? And do they care about what opportunities are available to you and what you do with them? </p>
<p>The problem is that you really should not be worrying about all the profiles on this website. First of all, there’s no way to confirm what a lot of students post regarding their extracurricular activities. They may be just self inflating their own worth. In regards to your high school, colleges will look at your school profile and realize that you may or may not be taking the most rigorous curriculum available to you. They realize that not every school can offer a multitude of AP classes and that education can vary from one high school to another. They also are very aware that not everybody can have the same level of opportunity in regards to outside of school experiences. Challenge yourself to the best of your ability, and schools will notice.</p>
<p>I would give you an inspirational comment on how you just need to everything you can, and all will be okay. However, if you say your ECs are above and beyond, yet they truly pale in comparison to CCers, you don’t stand a strong chance at the schools CCers are applying to. That being said, unless you’re aiming for Ivies/top 15 schools, you shouldn’t have much to worry about if your stats are exceptional and your ECs are average. Good luck.</p>
<p>You will be competitive at many schools. Most schools value geographic diversity and will judge the strength of your class schedule based upon what was offered at your school. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies, everyone. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>@smarty99 Really? I actually am aiming for Ivies. That’s very disappointing.</p>
<p>Here are a few stats:
ACT: 35, 36 superscore
SAT II: Physics 800, Math II 800, Chemistry 790
APs: Physics B 5 (studied outside), Chemistry 5 (studied outside), APUSH 5, Eng. Language 5, Spanish 5 (studied outside), currently taking Calc BC (online) and Eng. Literature
Rank: 1 of 69
Gender: Female</p>
<p>I am bilingual in Spanish (not native speaker) and have worked as a bilingual counselor at a Spanish immersion camp.
I have played trumpet in my local orchestra for the past four years.
Lots of local and state math and science awards
Award winning artist at local shows, one time national finalist
NHS member + lots of service at my local library and music studio
Juggling?
I want to major in physics.</p>
<p>Again, thanks for taking the time to read this! :)</p>
<p>Top colleges consider what was available to you, and they are also interested in geographical diversity. You are a very strong candidate, and should get into multiple highly selective schools. I don’t think applying to HYP and MIT, and then a safety, is the best strategy, though. You might not get into any of those reaches, but get into one or more of Brown, Duke, Cornell, Columbia, and others. If you don’t get into Princeton early, I would broaden your reaches in the RD round.</p>
<p>You have done quite well with the resources available to you and you are right to aim high with your applications. Your stats will get you a critical review at all the schools where you apply. Because top schools must select their classes from among large pools of well qualified applicants, it is the intangibles in applications that make all the difference. To improve your chances, endeavor to make important aspects of your personality, character and experiences leap off the pages of your application.</p>
<p>@Hunt The reason I’m applying the way I am is because I’m looking for really good physics programs. UIUC is one of the top public schools in physics, it is in state for me, and only about 40 minutes away. If I don’t get in to HYP/MIT, I don’t think I would want to go anywhere else but there. I have applied early to UIUC, but if I don’t get in I will definitely broaden my apps, including some of the universities you suggested. Thank you for your input!</p>
<p>I guess I shouldn’t worry. I’ll try to write the best essays possible, as many of you have suggested. (I know that MIT has an essay specifically about the community you came from.) Thanks again!</p>