**Decision: Accepted **
b**
Objective:
[ul]
[li] SAT I (breakdown): 1510 (720 EBR+W, 790 M super score), 1460 (670 EBR+W, 790 M single sitting)[/li][li] ACT (breakdown): N/A[/li][li] SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Physics, 720 Biology (ouch)[/li][li] Unweighted GPA: 3.99 one B+ freshman year[/li][li] Weighted GPA: 4.21[/li][li] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/ approx. 120[/li][li] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calculus AB (5), AP Physics C: Mechanics (5)[/li][li] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A[/li][li] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus BC, Multivariable Calculus Honors, AP Chemistry, AP Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, Chinese III, English IV[/li][li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): TSA state champion in technical sketching and application, regional champion in TSA system control technology[/li][/ul]
Subjective:
[ul]
[li] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Residence Assistant Program (Dorm RA), Technophile (founder and president), Quiz Team (team captain), Robotics (Head designer and mechanic), Technology Student Association (Head designer and mechanic), went on an exchange program, peer tutor, piano[/li][li] Job/Work Experience: none[/li][li] Volunteer/Community service: none[/li][li] Summer Activities: debate conference in China, research internship at local University[/li][li] Essays: 8, pretty unique story[/li][li] Teacher Rec #1: AP Calc teacher – FERPA – She loves me. She said she likes to treat me as a “personal calculator” and nominated me for math award because my grade was the highest in school’s history but didn’t get it[/li][li] Teacher Rec #2: History teacher – FERPA – I was really engaged in his class and got history award for the class[/li][li] Counselor Rec: FERPA – I was those few people who talk to their counselor very often so she knows me very well[/li][li] Additional Rec: TSA advisor – talked about how I self-taught technical sketching using a textbook he gave me and won state champion[/li]
[li] Interview: N/A[/li][li] Supplementary Material (portfolio, etc.): I didn’t know we could send one in [/li][/ul]
Other
[ul]
[li] Applied for Financial Aid?: nope[/li][li] State (if domestic applicant): N/A[/li][li] Country (if international applicant): Thailand[/li][li] School Type: 9-10 public 11-12 private[/li][li] Ethnicity: Asian (Southeast)[/li][li] Gender: Male[/li][li] Income Bracket: High enough to not qualify for aid[/li][li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I’m Asian Male International – the worst unhook possible. Lots of Thai students come to the States these days because of the availability of scholarships so most of them just study their entire lives to get these scholarships but aren’t really interested in anything. I think I show that I am different from other Thai kids. [/li][/ul]
Reflection
[ul]
[li] Strengths: SAT II math and physics, some STEM awards, devotion to STEM clubs, few leaderships in clubs that matter, research internship (maybe)[/li][li] Weaknesses: Asian Male International, will take a total of 5 APs – way below Tech’s average, not well-rounded (I don’t play sports or do volunteer work), SAT (at least for Asian), SAT II biology[/li][li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I feel like the exchange program, and cultural exchange programs I went to over the years really hinder my ability to take high level courses as credits weren’t easily transferred. I also underestimated my ability in Humanities courses and didn’t take English and history courses up to my full potential. But because of holistic review, I think they recognized this and thought my experiences living in several countries might be a good addition to their school. Plus, I am already contributing to my school’s campus by being an RA so they know I will do the same at Tech.[/li][li] Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted: Case Western Deferred: MIT, Umich Rejected: Caltech [/li][/ul]
**General Comments: ** One of the biggest tips I can give is to use different parts of the application to illuminate different parts of your life. If you like to play sports, do NOT write about sports in all of your essays unless each one shows a different side of you. I meticulously plan my essays so that the story connects with each other to show my personality, identity, technical expertise, and contribution to community. You should try to plan your essays according to these big four topics. Do NOT write the essay just to answer the prompt. Because of this, some parts of my application make up for other not so spectacular parts and forms a complete picture of my life.
Okay, seriously: I’d say “solid academic record” but largely the strength of his essays. Also, because he’s an autistic, dysgraphic nerd who’s faced a lot of challenges to succeed and doesn’t take any of it for granted.