Great academics, zero ECs?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I am an Asian boy from an upper-middle-class family in CA. My dad has a PhD in physics while my mom dropped out of college; both were born in the US. My SAT score is 2400 (single take) and my GPA is 4.0 unweighted. I have taken a lot of Honors/AP classes, and gotten good scores in the AP and SAT 2 tests. My essays were absolutely amazing according to the people who read them and I have a feeling that my recommendations were as well. However, I don't have any extracurricular activities. I have some awards but all standard academic ones: National AP scholar, National Merit, CSF and NHS (which are more like academic honors than activities). I realize I made a big mistake by not getting involved in any activities (if you're wondering what I did with my free time, it was mostly video games / social stuff), but I can't change that now. My planned major is physics.</p>

<p>What I want to know is, can I still get into UC Berkeley? I applied priority to UIUC for physics (accepted) and applied SCEA to Harvard even though I have basically no chance, because it's my dream school and is great for physics (deferred). UC Berkeley is the only other school that I applied to (L&S, physics).</p>

<p>Do you think I will get in to Berkeley? BTW I did COSMOS, I think that is supposed to help for UC admission.</p>

<p>Parents & some friends say I should apply to Caltech and MIT. I don't think I have any chance at these. The only reason I applied to Harvard is because it's my dream school even though I have no chance there either. While I'd love to go to either Caltech or MIT, I'd prefer Harvard, and thus I don't think I should apply to Caltech or MIT seeing as I won't get in.</p>

<p>Other things: I submitted my UC app Nov 1st, and my SAT scores arrived even earlier. I worked on my essays a lot and I think they are really polished. I submitted an additional essay as well which was as good as the first two. I reused my essays for Harvard (although the 3rd essay had to be condensed a LOT for the 1000 character one). Of course, recs don't matter for Berkeley but mine were great.</p>

2

<p>Full academic stats
Ranked top 1% at a competitive school</p>

<p>Grade 9:
AP Physics C: A+ A+
AP Computer Science AB: A+ A+
AP Calculus AB (they gave priority to 11/12th graders to take BC, so it filled): A+ A+
Honors Astronomy: A A+
Honors English 1: A A
Honors Spanish 3: A+ A
Gym (not in GPA): A A+</p>

<p>Grade 10:
AP World History: A+ A
AP Chinese Language: A+ A+ (I hate Spanish and the AP Spanish teacher is hard. I am a native speaker and passed the placement test so I got into AP Chinese directly.)
AP Statistics: A+ A+
AP Human Geography: A+ A
Honors Multivariate Calculus: A+ A
Honors English 2: A A+
Honors Geology: A A+</p>

<p>Grade 11:
AP US History: A A
AP Environmental Science: A+ A+
AP Chemistry: A+ A
AP English: A A+
AP Government: A+ A
AP Studio Art: A A
Honors Anatomy: A A</p>

<p>Grade 12 (first semester grades already basically done)
AP European History: A+
AP Psychology: A+
AP Music Theory: A+
AP Biology: A+
AP Economics: A
Honors Computer Science (advanced elective): A+
Honors English 4: A</p>

<p>Projected 2nd semester grades are A+ in all except English and maybe CS and Euro</p>

<p>All classes are year round</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 4.00 Weighted GPA: 5.00
PSAT: 239
SAT 1: -1 MC (Reading), 12 essay
PLAN: 32
ACT: 36
SAT 2: 800 Physics, 800 Math 2, 800 Chemistry, 800 World History</p>

<p>AP scores: Physics C E&M 5, Physics C Mechanics 5, Physics B 5 (self studied in 11th grade, because it covers some topics not in C), Calculus AB 5, Calculus BC 5 (self studied after freshman year to go to Multivariate Calculus, took AP test in 10th grade), Computer Science AB 5, World History 5, Chinese 5, Statistics 5, Human Geography 5, US History 5, Environmental 5, English Lang 5, English Lit 5, Chemistry 5, US Gov 5, Comparative Gov 5, Studio Art Drawing 5</p>

<p>This year, I’m taking Euro, Psych, Music, Bio, Macro, Micro, and self studying Art History.</p>

<p>I joined Quiz Bowl, Math/Science Club, Service Club, and Intramural Basketball this year but I listed none of this on my application because it would look like I did it just to list on my application. It’s more to make myself start doing more worthwhile things than video games.
Oh and Philosophy Club</p>

3

<p>Well, you obviously have the academic credentials to get into the top universities. Perhaps during your interviews, you can explain how you’ve started to venture into extracurriculars outside of your studies? Just explain to the interviewer what you’ve said in your last paragraph.</p>

4

<p>As Samonuh said you by far have great academic success but your ECs do lack a bit. When you do your interviews should mention the things your joined but explain that you matured or something along those lines and wanted to do something more than just wasting your life to video games. You have a good chance of getting into some sub top schools based on your academic success with a spectacular essay and interview i see you in a top school in no time.</p>

5

<p>I think you’ll easily get into all the UC’s with such high academics. For HYSPM… I can’t really comment because I don’t know how they would view you. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Already had my Harvard interview. It went great and I actually did mention that, which was in fact a good idea. I still don’t think I’m getting in just because I’ve never seen someone get in without a hook and any EC activities even though my essays, recs, and interview were all awesome.</p>

<p>Berkeley has no interview, though. I think there might be one for Regents Scholarship but I’m just worried about admittance right now.</p>

<p>So will Berkeley be a reach or a target school? Do you think I have a good chance of getting in or a not so good one? Edit: sorry, I did not see the above posts</p>

<p>Also, should I apply to Caltech + MIT? I have not started my supplements since I haven’t even decided whether to apply, I did get my school stuff sent to them though at the behest of my parents, just in case. If I do apply I will probably reuse at least some of my essays MIT, like I did for Harvard.</p>

7

<p>Yea apply to caltech and MIT. If you believe you can get in go ahead. Even without an outstanding EC you stand a shot. Might be a slight reach without an interview but perfect everything and race does help a lot. Just make sure you ace those essays. Best of luck.</p>

<p>Oh yes id apply to maybe 1 school not with as much prestige. Have a safety school incase this doesnt work out.</p>

8

<p>Physix1,</p>

<p>I think you have a really good shot at Cal, MIT, and Cal Tech. Many colleges these days are looking for lopsided kids awesome in one or two areas as opposed to well-rounded ones with loads of ECs but nothing outstanding. You might also think about Harvey Mudd, UCSD, and UCSB.</p>

9

<p>Wait, race helps? I thought Asian was a disadvantage. Anyway, I think I left the race box blank (my name doesn’t really sound “Chinese” even though I’m 100% Chinese). Thanks. I guess I will apply to both since I am done with school and have nothing to during the break.</p>

<p>I scheduled my MIT interview just in case, but it hasn’t happened yet. I don’t think Caltech has an interview.</p>

<p>UIUC is my safety, well I already got in there anyway. I was considering Harvey Mudd too, but I don’t know much about the school and I have to write a 500 word essay about the school. Is it very good for physics? On par with Berkeley or close? If so, I might see if I can get my school forms sent there…</p>

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<p>You Should absolutely get into Berkeley.</p>

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<p>Physix1,</p>

<p>Harvey Mudd has a terrific physics program on a gorgeous campus in an idyllic college town. Plus, it has only about 900 students; yet, because it is part of the Claremont Colleges you can take a wide variety of classes. Definitely worth a look if you want a smaller college environment than Berkeley.</p>

12

<p>You’ll get into Berkley being in-state and having the best academics possible. You can apply to schools like MIT/Caltech, except you won’t stand out given your lack of extracurricular involvement. There are too many Asian perfect/near perfect SAT/gpa for you to stand out especially when a lot of them are also very involved. So apply for the sake applying, at least you won’t automatically make your chance 0, but plan as though you won’t get in as you are already doing.</p>

13

<p>What makes you stand out is the rigor of your curriculum in addition to perfect test scores and GPA. Calc and Physics C as a frosh is pretty amazing. Plus all the 5’s on APs. I think at least one (and probably many) top level colleges for math will view your lack of ECs as simply a very bright child bored out of his mind with the typical activities of HS.</p>

14

<p>Course rigor is like a requirement. Once one has passed the bar, it just doesn’t become a reason to reject someone. And on a side note, taking AP Chinese as a native speaker doesn’t look good. Basically, there are already too many competitive (especially Asian) applicants who excel academically AND excel in terms of extracurriculars/awards. I really don’t think colleges will use the ‘he’s so bright he wasn’t involved in hs activities,’ especially when they’re looking for ways to reject candidates. Lack of ECs is a really easy reason they could use to reject someone, because if the student wasn’t involved in the school community, what’s to say they’ll be an active member of their college community?</p>

15

<p>Your academic credentials are just amazing, especially all those APs throughout high school. Perhaps you could list video games as an EC? I know someone who played/programmed video games and he listed it as an EC (wrote a supplement about it as well) and he got into top colleges (including Harvard!)</p>

16

<p>You are into Berkeley for sure because the UCs are academic-oriented. I would strongly recommend you apply for CalTech and MIT as well because they might overlook the fact that you have no ECs due to your amazing academics(best I’ve ever seen). Good luck to you!</p>

<p>Chance me back please!</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1259037-chance-ucsd-bioengineering-ill-chance-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1259037-chance-ucsd-bioengineering-ill-chance-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

17

<p>Colleges definitely factor in course rigor, stats, etc. as the major portion of their decision. However, once you get to really competitive schools (MIT, Caltech, Harvard, etc.), your chances drop because most of the applicants are just as qualified in terms of academics, but also have strong ECs. </p>

<p>The person who said you should put video games as an EC is mistaken – his friend programmed games. It’s not the same situation. </p>

<p>I hate to bring bad news, but I think those elite schools are high reaches. Your academics help, but ECs show passion, leadership, involvement, initiative, etc. Colleges want people who will become a part of the community. It’s the complete lack of ECs until senior year for no substantive reason that truly hurts you. Having even weak ECs would have made you a much stronger candidate. That’s not to say you shouldn’t apply. You still have a shot, and you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. </p>

<p>However, you should get into Berkley.</p>

<p>Chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1256342-chance-me-wharton-harvard-columbia-etc.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1256342-chance-me-wharton-harvard-columbia-etc.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

18

<p>You will most likely be in at everywhere but ivies and equivalents, don’t stress about that. Cracking to ivy league/top 10 schools in the country will be the only difficulty you have.</p>

<p>Also apply to Harvey Mudd, honestly its a great school and you have a better shot at it than MIT or CalTech atm and for all you know you could really end up loving that school.</p>

<p>And also use this opportunity to reflect on what you did wrong in high school and fix that up in college so you don’t end up trying to get into a top graduate program with perfect stats and no work experience/research in college</p>

19

<p>Yeah I don’t really program games just play so it’s not an EC. And yeah, although Harvard would be awesome I don’t really care if I don’t get in since I am not expecting it anyway. Berkeley is my main concern; I’d be very happy if I get in there.
My counselor said it’s okay for me to apply to Harvey Mudd and he actually strongly encouraged it. He said he’ll take care of the school stuff. I guess I’ll spend my break writing essays for there, MIT, and Caltech…</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone for the advice and yes, I will be sure to not make the same mistake again in college. I’ve managed to cut down my video games “addiction” to only an hour on Saturday+Sunday each.</p>

20

<p>I don’t think you will get into Harvard or MIT as they are very EC-focused. Your academics are perfect but they prefer applicants with very good academics, not necessarily perfect, and 1 or 2 amazing ECs, or at least more well rounded than school alone. However, I think you have a good shot at UC Berkeley. Harvey Mudd depends, on the one hand the acceptance rate is pretty low but on the other hand I think your coursework is impressive enough that, if you write good essays, get good recs, and have a good interview (I’m not sure if you can still get an interview, though) you should get in. Caltech is not necessarily EC-focused but you should have something other than just great test scores and grades, like academic clubs/teams and olympiads, especially Physics olympiad since you’re a physics major.</p>