Elite Schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to see what my chances are for some top-level schools. I know that its hard to predict and they are reaches for most everyone, but any guidance at all would be really appreciated.

So the schools I am looking at:
Harvard
Princeton
UPenn
UMichigan
UVA
Duke
UChicago
Stanford

Stats: 4.0 GPA, 35 ACT (36 English, 35 Math, 34 CR, 36 Science). SAT IIs: 780 Math, 780 Bio-M. Will be taking the literature subject test in the fall, hopefully getting 800.

I want to major in Math, and I have taken an extensive course load in this regard. I finished BC Calc by sophomore year, and then started doing Linear Algebra, an Independent Study in Analytic Number Theory, Fractal Geometry. I will be doing an independent study next year in Real Analysis and Complex Analysis. I have taken Calculus III from CMU and Modern Algebra from Stanford, both with credits. I am getting a letter of Rec from my math teacher.

I am the Director of my schools writing center, captain of my speech and debate team, captain of my Cross country (Varsity four years) and Track team (Varsity three years), Vice President of my Junior Class (raised 35,000$ for our Prom), editor of my school’s in-house publication, a Big Brother, and a volunteer tutor. My biggest accomplishment is probably that I am a board member of a division of the biggest health care provider in my city, and we fund different initiatives to improve the health-care delivery system for our city.

I built a fully-functioning remote operable submarine from scratch, that has a sampling system, full video capabilities, temperature and pressure sensors, etc.

I interned with a lab for two years, studying acid reflux.

As I start writing essays and stuff, I had a few questions. Should I emphasize my health-care extracurriculur, since it is a bit unorthodox, and should I aim to be more funny or serious as I write my essays?

Thanks for all your help and advice

P.s. I am also an Indian.

2

What major are you looking to get into? From looking at your ECs, I’m getting a sense that you’re looking into health/pre-med. If so, definitely emphasize the health-care EC to show your genuine interest in your projected major. How many AP/IB classes have you taken?

3

[Checks date to make sure it isn’t April 1st]. Ok, assuming you are actually serious…

I am not in admissions nor has my D gone through admissions yet. But I know about a dozen kids who have been admitted across the schools you listed, and none of them have the combined breadth and depth you list. And none of them were URM either.

But in case it doesn’t work out, find some safeties you would actually be ok with attending.

4

Hey @InamoratiAnon, I am looking to go into math. I previously thought that biology was the route for me, but then I realized that I really enjoy math. I could see biomedical engineering as a possible major though. And for my APs, my school only offers two: BC Calc, AP Comp Sci and I have taken them both and their exams. I have also taken the AP Bio exam and the AP Physics C exams without the course, but idk if that matters in college admissions.

5

Are you a Native American or from India?

6

I was born in the US but my parents are from India @TomSrOfBoston

7

So no URM hook.

8

You have a shot at all of these schools, as your accomplishments are unique in many respects and your activities jump off the page to me. I’m not going to say you are a shoe-in for your top choices, but UVA and UMich you should have no problem getting into. The others are reaches, but unlike many people, I believe you control your own destiny. Let reach mean within your reach in this case. I will speak specifically for UChicago (as I’m headed there in the fall). Though I think I can tell from your list that it isn’t your first choice (nor do I think it is the best fit for you out of your choices), I will tell you it has a phenomenal math department. To get in though, you will really have to shine through your essays.

9

It is true that reaches are reaches for everyone, especially Stanford and Harvard. It is good that you have taken AP exams on your own, you have great EC’s. Have you won any awards? Have you participated in any Math Olympiads or competitions? How was your PSAT? any chance of NMS or presidential scholar? If your school doesn’t have a math team you should consider starting one. I feel these are some finishing touches that could help your chances of getting in.

I am surprised to see that for a math major, you don’t have MIT, UC Berkley and UCLA on your list

10

@Wisdom2share I got a 1490 on my PSAT, which is scored out of 1520 so I will most likely end up being a NMS. I have participated on my math team for four years, and we have won 2nd place regionally. However, our team is very loosely structured and not that formal at all so I dont believe that it will help that much. I have won a school award (based on leadership and character) a couple of speech and debate awards on the local circuit, and several national latin exam awards. I dont know the weight these carry though. Should I still include them on the commonapp?

11

@coolkarni Just looking at ECs alone, I can see your argument that you’re leaning toward biomedical engineering. It think you’ve incorporated a lot of unique experiences that make a lot of sense within the umbrella of that subject. For mathematics, however, it can look like more of a stretch to argue that you’ve been spending all your time proving your interest in the major. I know engineering school is quite competitive, but looking at your progress in your ECs, I think you have a good shot for BE. I’d say mention the speech and debate team on your application, but don’t write an essay on it as they don’t carry that much weight in the department you’re looking into.

12

check your pm