<p>I'm a 10th grader from Delhi, India. I differ from other people in my opinion; I don't believe that marks are the only thing in the world (that is a general Indian stereotype), and that one needs to be more mature on issues plus should go for ECs as well, while enjoying their life too.</p>
<p>I have passion for Astrophysics, and I want to pursue research in my career. Obviously, this ambition is completely snubbed in India where everything's a race and high school days are rather bland, especially in the Science stream where students are pitted against each other to compete. That's why I dream of US as my post-school study location. I'm well versed with details of many top unis, but I have a rather big query - I have less ECs. I am proficient in English, am too strong in General Knowledge, a computer freak, a science freak, plus I play sports well, am good in debating, can rap well (:D), am topper of the class. Yet the issue is that I haven't won state-level prizes. The rationale - I ain't interested. I love Science, I'm not too interested in raising my ECs to a state level - though I have them. I would rather focus on science (as per my interest). And yes, I'm already planning self-research projects on some unintelligible topics in science, and maybe, maths. Also, I'm all set to be either the President or Vice President of our school computer club. I would rather do it in Science, but the students just don't have an interest in any science club (until I don't hand them question papers to help them score in EXAMS). I've also traversed other schools for science exhibitions/IT quizzes too (I won once).</p>
<p>I'll probably score good enough in the SAT and TOEFL exams, plus I would manage my essays and I don't worry about recommendations (I'll probably get them easily), but the only concern is my ECs. So are they good enough for an Indian in 10th grade? Do I stand a chance in any top US unis - CalTech, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Chicago?</p>
<p>Take a chill pill Make sure the adcoms see your passion for Astrophysics, and if you can try to get some ECs in that area. If you’ve read a lot about astrophysics, tutored others or blogged or something similar, it counts.</p>
<p>Well “passion for Astrophysics”’ isn’t that uncommon among Indian science-loving kids. Do participate in Olympiads,KVPY and do try and apply for SSP, ISSYP, RSI etc. </p>
<p>Quoting an MIT student, the Olympiad thing can be a “life-changing experience”.</p>
<p>Also a friendly warning: Be realistic about your research project. It’s not very easy to do research entirely on your own in high-school. It’s not impossible, but you do need a lot of resource and probably some guidance. Unless you happen to be as gifted as Gauss, that is.</p>
<p>If you have a passion for astrophysics, good. Prove it to them by participating in the International Olympiads. I believe there’s one specifically for astrophysics. If you score well in this, it’ll look really good on your application.</p>
<p>I was just searching for some colleges/unis with a better astrophysics/physics program. I found quite a few, which I am listing here. If there are any others, apart from these, I’ll be really thankful.</p>
<pre><code>* Cal Tech
Columbia U
Cornell U
Harvard C
MIT
Princeton U
Stanford U
U Arizona
U Calif Berkeley
U Calif Santa Barb
U Chicago
U Texas Austin
Yale U
</code></pre>
<p>PS : I can wait, have a plethora of time left with me, but just asked out of curiosity.</p>
<p>Oh and as for your chances, seriously no one can predict and tell you man. I cant talk about the others but for Caltech at least the most important thing is satisfactorily displaying your passion for science. But you seem like a guy who’s pretty passionate so thats more important than your olympiad medals. That being said of course you need to be of a standard that Caltech thinks is good enough to survive there. But seriously you’re in 10th now man, just chill out!</p>
<p>Well I totally agree with you and yeah im quite aware of who Liebniz is. What you said isnt relevant to the understanding that it is futile to argue how gifted someone was. IQ is a very rough gauge and is often inaccurate for people who are alive today let alone those who died centuries ago. In any case enjoy life eminem, seriously man :)</p>
<p>Ah, don’t worry about that. I am seriously enjoying my life, and am not at all fretting myself about this college admission stuff. Just needed some info - more because of interest - on these colleges, I just want to finalize my stuff - though nothing can be prophesied of the future - to ensure that I’m not dragged into that student-wrecking IIT preparation. </p>
Make sure the adcoms see your passion for Astrophysics, and if you can try to get some ECs in that area. If you’ve read a lot about astrophysics, tutored others or blogged or something similar, it counts.</p>