<p>I have a 4.0 unweighted, 2320 single sitting/2340 superscore, high subject tests, rigorous classes, and attend a school with a lot of Ivy/equivalent school acceptances.</p>
<p>I have bad extracurriculars. I have won very few awards.
-mock trial (we were terrible and didn't advance on from districts)
-orchestra (cello; pretty good, no awards, may submit a supplement)
-languages (won a non-native Chinese speech contest and study Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Hebrew)
-newspaper (not the editor in chief though)
-my "job" is babysitting my brother/cousins a lot (I don't know if this counts?</p>
<p>The only thing that may stand out is that I've been working with a professor who works in my future major. He's semi-famous (has a Wikipedia page) and was the student of the world's most famous person in this area of study. If I get a rec from him, will this stand out?</p>
<p>Yeah that's it. It's not much, I know. I know people who got into RSI, have published papers, play varsity sports, etc. How can I possibly measure up? </p>
<p>My dream schools are Columbia and UChicago. How much will my essays help?</p>
<p>Your ECs aren’t bad. They don’t really stand out, but they aren’t bad. Also, it depends on what you want the college to think you strength is. Do you want them to think you have a passion for languages? If so, you can show that through your essays. Do you want to show your passion do music? That could go a very long way for you. I know a young man who got into UPenn unhooked with an average GPA and 1800 on his SAT because he submitted an audio recording of his voice and they loved him.</p>
<p>Babysitting family members is an EC. Does your family need the help of you babysitting your brothers and cousins? How much time do you spend babysitting?</p>
<p>just a word of advice- if you haven’t won any awards (such as all state orchestra) or aren’t planning on participating in music, don’t submit a music supplement. Colleges don’t care that you can play- they only want to hear you play if it brings something to their campus. Otherwise, its just one more thing they have to look at and gives them more work without giving you any gain.</p>
<p>You’re a good student, who also had some EC interests and activities. You don’t mention anything that would distinguish you among HYPS applicants, but that doesn’t mean that you’d get rejected even there. You’re certainly at least in the running for Columbia and Chicago. Your ECs aren’t “bad”, they are simply run of the mill. Definitely apply to top schools.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that I have been working closely with a professor at a nearby university who specializes in my prospective major. I’ve been helping him with some research, working on a paper (though it won’t be ready in time for apps), being a sort of apprentice/protegee. He’s semi-famous and has a wikipedia page. If I get a rec letter from him, will this stand out?</p>
<p>Not necessarily. Since he’s only semi-famous, then there’s a large chance the application readers won’t know who he is, and would thus not make much of a difference when compared to a similar letter from a less famous professor.</p>
<p>I’m sending in my applications this year (read: ‘I have no actual experience, so take this with a pinch of salt’), but my understanding is as follows:</p>
<p>Your stats are impressive and very much in the ‘competitive range’ for all schools. Your issue is that your ECs don’t significantly differentiate you from all of the other equally competitive applicants. </p>
<p>Two comments:
Your ECs don’t seem ‘bad’. I think it’s unlikely that an admissions officer will read your profile and decide to reject you because of ‘lack’ of ECs. I think that your ECs are a problem only insofar as they are neutral- not actively beneficial.
ECs are merely one of the subjective factors considered in the holistic admissions process. You can still differentiate yourself with an outstanding essay, and pull an acceptance (I’ve read that UChicago particularly cares a lot about the essay). You may end up differentiating yourself with outstanding recs (any idea how those will look?). Don’t be intimidated into not applying- you’re a competitive applicant, and you can still have a good chance- just find your ‘wow factor’. I think, that at this stage of the process, focusing on a fantastic set of essays will do the most good.</p>
<p>Extra-curriculars are starting to matter a lot. Think about it. How many students with 2400s and 4.0s apply to Columbia and UChicago every year? Why are so many Valedictorians rejected year after year? </p>
<p>Remember, Ivy Leagues and top schools boost their prestige based on the success of their alumnus. And it is widely believed that if one is very much involved and active in the school and community, he/she is likely to have more potential for success. </p>
<p>Essays don’t help as much as you hope you will, but it will still matter a good deal! </p>
<p>I have a 4.0, 2320 single sitting/2340 superscore, rigorous classes, and attend a school with a lot of Ivy/equivalent school acceptances.</p>
<p>I have bad extracurriculars. I have won very few awards.
-mock trial (we were terrible and didn’t advance on from districts)
-orchestra (cello; pretty good, no awards, may submit a supplement)
-languages (won a non-native Chinese speech contest and study Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Hebrew)
-newspaper (not the editor in chief though)
-my job is babysitting my brother/cousins a lot (I don’t know if this counts?)</p>
<p>Yeah that’s it. It’s not much, I know. I know people who got into RSI, have published papers, play varsity sports, etc. How can I possibly measure up? My dream schools are Columbia and UChicago. Should I give up?</p>