Hi, I’m kinda new here so sorry if this is in the wrong thread - I’ll move it if asked
I’m currently a high school sophomore with the following stats, I was considering applying early to college, I’ll outline my stats and reasons on doing so below.
Stats:
SCHOOLWORK/COURSES
High School
APs: (14)
Completed: Calc AB, Calc BC, Statistics, World History, US Gov, Macroecon, Microecon, CS (2 4s rest 5s)
Current: Chemistry, Phys C EM, Phys C ME, English Lang, US History, Chinese (Predicted at most 2 4s)
Post-APs: Multivariate Calculus, Differential Equations
Notable Courses taken (HS):
AP Calc AB, AP Statistics, Post-AP Multivariate Calculus, Economics, AP World History, AP Economics, AP US Gov, Post-AP Differential Equations, Hon Chem, Hon English Lang, Hon English Lit, Chinese 3
Current: AP US History, AP Chem, AP Phys C, AP Eng Lang
College Courses (@ a T2 university for math, T1 for EE)
Math
- Complex Analysis (Upper Div)
- Functions of Complex Var (Graduate)
- Numerical Method (Graduate)
EE - Wifi and Networking (Upper Div)
- Systems (Upper Div)
ME - Fluid Mechanics (Upper Div)
Planned Summer: (Math) 2nd Course in Lin Alg or Abstract Algebra & (CS) Data Structures
HS GPA: UW 3.96/4.00 W 4.81
College GPA: UW 3.8/4.00
SATs- 1540 in 7th Grade, but the score got deleted since I didn’t request to keep it. Retaking in a couple weeks, predicted 1550+
Distinguished Honor Roll & AP Scholar
EXTRACURRICULARS
- Advanced Math Circle (History of Mathematics, P-Adic Analysis)
- USACO Platinum
- Remote work for a University Lab (Numerical Analysis of Biomechanics) - I write and run simulations
- Individual Tutoring (Currently 4 students) - middle school math, AP Physics C, and MVC
- Taught a yearlong Java/Cpp Club
- PVSA from a Comm. Service program
- CTY Biotech, CTY Into to Engineering (7th & 8th)
- Science Fair - didn’t do good tho
DEMOGRAPHICS
- Asian Male
- Planned Major(s): Math and either a minor or double major in EE or CS
RECS
-HS Math Teacher: Had him for literally all my math courses from 6-9th, gave me distinguished student one year. However, I’ve left the school that he was at and idk how good if I ask him for a rec letter. Especially since I don’t “know” any of my professors, its probably my best bet
-Research Mentor: I’ve helped out a bit, thinks favorably but I’ll see as I get more involved
- I dunno yet. See the problem is I’m generally just minding my own business to learn - none of my science professors really “know” me cuz each class is like 100 ppl.
Target Colleges:
Reach: Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Mit, Stanford, Caltech etc… yeah
Reasonable: Cal, UCLA? idk
Safety: the other UCs
What I’m planning to do:
I switched high schools recently cause my old school was very stiff with scheduling, and wouldn’t allow my schedule to take those college classes. However, my new HS is still quite restrictive, so I plan to take the high school exit exam in a month, and take a year to possibly focus on a project/internship + a few college classes and apply at that year. Essentially, I’d be ‘graduating’ high school 2 years early and applying 1 year early. I’d plan to transfer in those AP and college credits too, hopefully get out of college early too. I’ve looked over a option for middle college that our HS offers but I don’t know what I would do at community college, as I’ve exhausted all the math and physics courses that are offered there (which was my argument for taking the upper-div/grad classes), but someone on our district board said 4 people from our school have left in 11th to go to Caltech, so I’ll see what options I have. But currently the high school exit exa, is my plan.
Yes, I know my extracurriculars and awards are weak. I’d try to apply to those interns and summer programs but the problem is I don’t turn 16 until after summer, so I can’t apply to anything along the lines of research programs and stuff. I live close to 2 national labs and 2 universities, so I was thinking about bootlegging a possible opportunity from randomly emailing those, but I’m thinking along the lines of “If there a bjillion grad students wanting those spots, why would a high schooler have a chance?”. Are there any common intern opportunities or things I can do to up my extracurriculars without being over 16?
Last year I was seriously considering applying to UCB (so I’d be starting college my former junior HS year), and just if I got rejected that was that. But, having the consequence of having to reapply under the already rejected once possibility, I didn’t. I’m kind of set of just applying in my junior year now, and wherever I get in, that’s that. Basically, I just want to know the possibility of me getting into any top colleges and what possible extracurriculars I can do to strengthen my profile
Thanks in advance!