<p>Well, I am very impressed! I don’t know why you would not get accepted at most of these schools. Just the 36/800/800 is an amazing start, then there is the first-in-family to college “hook”, the AIME qualifier, the Student President position, President of impressive clubs- and so much help to your local community. Why would you not get a Regent’s, even at Cal? If you would really like going to UCSB, I have heard their Regents is kingly (no pun intended) and could be your best proposition- look into what they have at each UC campus for Regents! Look at your field and at the professors- UCSB benefitted from the Bell Labs breakup in the late 80’s, and have great research on alternative energy (I don’t recall your field of interest). The Blue LED was developed/invented there. They have a wonderful federally funded nano fabrication lab there itching to be exercised by a motivated student. That may be a wonderful place to do your Undergraduate! You can segue to a private prestige place for graduate. Or go with private prestige immediately. I am sure you know your UG will be free. I do hope you give us feedback in the spring. I am curious where you end up being accepted and where you end up going. What prestigious summer research program did you attend?</p>
<p>@ItsJustSchool thanks for the feedback. I will update it in the spring. I would rather not say the name of the program since that would make it too easy to identify me.</p>
<p>Regardless. Many would say that RSI is a Brass Ring Slam Dunk. I guess that’s why I asked. It really doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Truthfully, if I were you I would tunnel deeper into the thought experiment of “if all schools accept me, where would I go?” And to answer that, you need to start thinking about the specific programs within the specific schools. For example, at MIT would you do Concourse, ESG, or regular curriculum for freshman year? MIT allows cross-registration at Harvard. Would you be allowed to register in Math55? At UCLA there is one math scholarship that is rumored to give access to research with Terrence Tao as a Freshman. Is that true? How do you get in on that? Where would you want to live at CalTech? Can you do a SURF project this summer to kickstart some undergraduate research? Etc. Etc.</p>
<p>Find the character, culture, and opportunities at each place and imagine how each would fit into your overall 5-year, 10-year, or life-plan. This research will actually help you to narrow your list (and fill out better answers to your application and interview), and ultimately make a better choice among the offers presented to you.</p>
<p>I hope you are not anxious- you are in an enviable position. Enjoy the process.</p>
<p>@ItsJustSchool It definitely wasnt RSI haha I wish. But yeah that’s very good advice thank you. </p>
<p>a propos post #40:</p>
<p><a href=“Two Japanese, one American win Nobel Prize in physics”>http://phys.org/news/2014-10-japanese-american-nobel-prize-physics.html</a></p>
<p>(And, no, I did not have any advance/inside scoop from the Nobel committee!) :)</p>
<p>ucsd is a pretty great school. you should def apply.</p>
<p>and if it was mop, good on you. it probably wasn’t though.</p>
<p>Wow, our resumes look kind of similar. AIME, Scioly, research, etc.</p>
<p>MIT: reach
Caltech: low reach
columbia, harvard, princeton, stanford, yale: reach
cornell: high match
the rest: accepted</p>
<p>chance back? <a href=“Predict Me: Columbia, MIT, Yale, Carnegie Mellon and others - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1688565-predict-me-columbia-mit-yale-carnegie-mellon-and-others-p1.html</a></p>
<p>@aops100 done</p>
<p>MIT, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford- Rejected (I can see a waitlist for Harvard)
Accepted to everything else.</p>
<p>I do sort of agree with the rubber resume comment. There will be other people like you, but you’re still an outstanding applicant and I think you’re going to go a great school, so I wouldn’t be stressing too much. </p>
<p>@leannatorres, @aunt bea, Last year 107,000 California students attempted the ACT and 100 scored a 36. Not really a “rubber stamp.” Few get regional awards at Science Bowl or science olympiad, much less coach it. About 8% of those who attempt the AMC qualify for the AIME, and those who attempt it are self-selected, and certainly not “average students.” Only about 120,000 students nationwide attempt the AMC 12. Few high school students write research papers and submit to Siemens. 17 AP courses; so far nothing below a ‘4’. 1000 community service hours. Perfect SAT II’s. Low-income, first generation to college. Student president for school for disabled children. etc. etc. This is a stellar resume. I would hate to see your critique of Mother Teresa’s CV!</p>
<p>I would more agree with @coolweather: how can this all be possible, and how did it affect you as a person, not “oh, anyone can do that!” I am floored by the glib assessments.</p>
<p>I recommend that nobody ask to be “chanced”. It is inaccurate, and can lead to demoralizing diminishing of self-esteem. The main reason to put up your stats for strangers to comment on is insecurity, and that will, apparently, be greatly increased if you ask for input.</p>
<p>None of us here are admissions officers (and if there are any, they wouldn’t comment!). Our opinion of chance of acceptance is baseless. And for respondents, if you can’t be encouraging and provide constructive input, why comment at all? This process is stressful enough for those going through it without making hurtful remarks, but there is still time to make some fixes if we can point them out constructively.</p>
<p>Haha thanks</p>
<p>@ItsJustSchool YES</p>
<p>@intparent is correct. People DON’T know the OP’s chances. </p>
<p>But isn’t it more fun for people to pretend they do (and then ask for a chance back)? :)</p>
<p>;)</p>