Good Scores, Weak EC's

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey, I need some ideas on where I should apply to college to get a start on my search. </p>

<p>My plan is to major in Physics. There's a very good chance I might end up wanting to be a doctor, but im reluctant to commit to any career yet. So here are my stats. BTW, I live in Maryland, I am an over-represented minority, Male, not poor or rich (My parents saved up enough, so money's not a problem) and am a junior at a competitive public school.</p>

<p>SAT: 2300 (760M, 740V, 800W(8E)) - kinda disappointed in the math, but i dont think its worth retaking
SAT II: I took in June, here are my predicted scores:
Chemistry: 800
Math 2c: 770-800
World History: 650-700 (yucky)
GPA: Unweighted 3.95-4.00/4.00 (Could get a B in english this year)
Weighted: idk, more than unweighted...i took mostly G/T and AP classes.
Rank: top 10ish/435
AP: (10th grade) US gov and pol (5)
(11th grade, ill predict scores) chem (5), calc ab (5), world history (hopefully 4), and english language (4)
(12th grade) physics (both of the C ones), english literature, and calc bc
EC's: (Not great)
-National Honor Society (did my community service requirements for this)
-Maryland Technology Honor Society (didn't do much)
-Future Business Leaders of America (competed in one regional competition and got third place)
-Piano (umm...yea)
-Tae kwon do (black belt, demo team)
-An internship at NASA last summer
-Maybe a job in Best Buy this summer
-Enrolled in a tech-magnet program at my school where i go to an applications and research laboratory and have a 2-period class there (we built an electrathon vehicle, its like a battery-powered racer that we can drive around in); will do a different project next year, maybe a robot
Teacher Recs: Pretty average (i dont do anything class) not bad, but average
Essay: Will be okay, im not really great at writting, i only got an 800 on the SAT cuz i aced the MC
Other: Perfect attendence throughout high school, (that's all i can think of now)</p>

<p>Yea, i know my EC's are weak, but im kinda a lazy person. I dont really have any location/prestige preferences, so I am open to all suggestions (Safties, matches, reaches). Social life doesn't matter that much either cuz im kinda a nerd/geek but not hard-working or serious enough to be your typical Asian/Inidan.</p>

2

<p>you sound like a good candidate for brown. great opportunities, no core curriculum, take any class pass/fail. you have great stats and could really enjoy your time there.</p>

3

<p>k thanx, ill add that to my list. Now my list is 1 college long...yay! Anyone else?</p>

4

<p>Brown is a possibility, but you may have trouble getting in there. Unfortunately, weak ECs will hit you hard in the applications process.</p>

5

<p>I'd say try the Ivies. You've got really good scores so you're in for a chance, even though no one can ever be certain at those schools.</p>

6

<p>Ok, so what what would be some good matches/safeties that i actually might get into. Im thinking Maryland-CP would be a good match/safety right?</p>

7

<p>I'll suggest my dream school- Caltech. If your essays are bad, like you predict, don't bother applying. IF you're willing to put in massive effort on them, I think you've got a chance.</p>

8

<p>I wasnt saying that i wouldnt put alota effort into my essay and that it would be "bad, " i just meant that it wont be the strongest part of my app and that it prolly wont give me an edge over a more qualifyed person.</p>

<p>So how 'bout some good realistic/match schools. All i've heard is "apply ivies, but u probably wont get them" (No offense, i really want to say that in a nicer more appreciative way, cuz i do need reach schools, but as i said im not great at writting :p)</p>

9

<p>anyone?....bump</p>

10

<p>Try applying to good instate schools - UMich, UVA, UNC, UT - Austin, etc. These schools LOVE good numbers (which you obviously have) and don't care much about extracurriculars. Also, keep in mind that activity sheets ask you about HOBBIES - not necessarily stuff you did in school. I bet you have some hobby!!! Think, and elaborate. What do you plan to do in college? </p>

<p>I would work reallyy hard on the essay though. It seems that, in this case, it could make all the difference.</p>

11

<p>What's an activity sheet?</p>

12

<p>the thingy were colleges ask you your top 8 or so extracurricular activities, hobbies, etc</p>

13

<p>where? on the application?</p>

14

<p>Read the ISI Guide <a href="http://www.isi.org/college_guide/choosing_right_college.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.isi.org/college_guide/choosing_right_college.html&lt;/a> to find out what's REALLY going on at these top colleges. Get at the library, or buy, the most recent edition you can. Worth--WELL worth--the trouble.</p>

15

<p>Yes, if you're very conservative or interested in what conservatives think, it's helpful.</p>

16

<p>The Ivies usually tend to like very well rounded individuals. I would apply to a couple of Ivies (Brown, Cornell and Princeton come to mind), but I would probably apply to schools that are more into the academic credentials of their candidates. Schools like Carnegie Mellon, Chicago, MIT and Harvey Mudd... as well as the large state universities like Michigan and Cal.</p>

17

<p>How about Rice? Even if your parents have money saved, they will appreciate a slightly lower cost of attendance, and as an out-of-state student, you will have an admittance edge.</p>

18

<p>What about your internship at NASA? Sounds like a good spin. What was it like and was it hard to get in ?</p>

19

<p>How come out-of-state students have an advantage?</p>

<p>No, I dont think that it was hard to get into the internship.</p>

20

<p>Bump-pa-dum</p>