Hey guys, I’ve been online and just thoroughly confused at what counts as someone who really stands out in this sort of thing, and I could just be biased toward myself so any opinions are highly appreciated.
For context, I am an asian-american female from a small private school in California, not really reputable but fairly rigorous.
GPA: 3.8 unweighted (screwed up and got a 3.67 freshman year, with B’s in algebra 2 and chemistry which were both honors classes if that means anything) but straight A’s after that. I took nearly the heaviest course load throughout high school, with only two normal classes each year and the rest being honors/AP/IB.
SAT: 1540
ACT: 35
SAT Subject Tests: Math II: 800; Chemistry: 800; Chinese: 780; US History: 800
AP Courses taken: (5 on all exams) CS Principles, US History, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, Calculus AB, Psychology, Spanish, Japanese, Macroeconomics. For the last two, I never took the class and just self-studied for the exam.
IB Courses: Design Technology HL and English HL
Awards/Extracurriculars: ABRSM diploma, up to LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music)
A branch piano competition, 1st place
CM Level 10 for piano
Taught kids piano during summer
Girl Scouts Gold Award
Violin: All State Orchestra, maybe concert master?
Made a music group and collaborated with another to perform together at various places like senior centers.
Semi-finals for National Poetry Competition (not sure about final result)
FRC Robotics, I’m on the drive team and fabrication but primarily marketing
Worked at a small software engineering company, helped write the code for some stuff.
Weirdly interested in learning pen spinning tricks (is this even a good idea to mention?)
I am considering those fancy summer activities like RSI, TASP, or STSI. I know my chances are incredibly slim, but they’re worth a shot.
I’m planning on applying undecided, but I’m strongly considering a major in CS.