<p>Hi, I was wondering if you guys could chance me! I know it's pretty early but it doesn't hurt to know what I should improve on. Thanks!</p>
<p>Name: KB24yo
Race: Asian
Gender: Male
State : CA
GPA : 3.65 UW / 3.7 W
SAT : 2280 ( Math-760/CR-800/Writing-720)
SAT2 : Chinese - 800 / Math 2 - 800
AP - US (5) / taking EURO and Psychology this year
*Received 2 C+'s the beginning of sophomore year (mother contracted breast cancer)
*Probably receive another C+ this semester</p>
<p>School Related Activities:
- Student Council (4 years)
- Model United Nations Club (secretary)
- Kiwins Club (co-treasurer)
- Mock Trial (lawyer/witness)
- Rooftop Tutoring (president)
- Fiddle For Fun (president)
- IMPACT team leader (mentor for incoming freshmen)
- In 2 School Musicals
- Started recycle trash bins at school to raise money for school (+$3000)
- JV Basketball (1 year) & Varsity Wrestling (1 year)</p>
<p>Music - Viola:
- School Symphony Orchestra (4 years)
- All-State Orchestra (4)
- All-National Orchestra (3)
- Performed at the White House
- Composed sheet music used in a video game
- Invited by the Chinese government to play in the Beijing Olympics
- Traveled to Argentina/Africa to teach less fortunate kids how to play a music instrument
- Toured France, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, and China playing with local orchestra(s)
- Organized local music fundraisers to raise money to buy instruments for less fortunate children in 3rd world countries (+$5,000)
- Played in the pit orchestra for 2 school musicals</p>
<p>Extras:
- Published a children's book
- Organized a jog-a-thon at local elementary school to raise money for school supplies
- Church choir member/audio recorder/hymn leader/orchestra member
- Volunteer at soup kitchen (+100 hours)
- Private math tutor for elementary kids
- Work : Part-time @ Hollister (5 hours a week)
- Intern for law firm with sports attorney, Leigh Steinberg</p>
<p>wow great e.c.'s! (I’m a big music person myself)
All of this giving back to the community stuff (volunteer, organizing events, teaching music to less fortunate kids, etc.) sounds really good. Be sure to highlight it. However I’m slightly worried that it was through one of those church groups or programs in which you actually pay lots of money to “volunteer,” which would not look nearly as impressive.</p>
<p>ANyways, obviously GPA could be better, but if you had a family issue that severely affected your gpa, you should ask your guidance counselor to mention it in the letter (which is really the purpose of a guidance counselor letter anyway).</p>
<p>Also 3 SAT IIs are required by Harvard. If you are Chinese, I would suggest that you take two other SAT II’s and if not, then one more.</p>
<p>Not bad chances, but you never know with Harvard, eh?
GOod luck!</p>
<p>Rank? If your rank is relatively high, then I’d say you have amazing chances! If I were you, I’d REALLY highlight your music achievements and volunteer work. You sound like a one-of-a-kind person</p>
<p>They aren’t that terrible. You have shown them that you are passionate about something, so you stand a good chance. Write great essay; get some good recommendation letters. I think you stand a fair chance.</p>
<p>Ah I overlooked the C+ thing. Have your guidance counselor write a letter explaining your circumstances. Then make sure you coherently and non-superficially present your ECs. You are involved in diverse, interesting activities. There is an annoying trend in college admissions that overemphasizes the “passion for _____” applicant who, for example, is the guru of all things political science (Mock Trial, Model UN, Youth&Government, Congressional Intern, etc) at the expense of breadth. Your list of ECs is impressive but make sure it is clear somehow why you are involved in all of these things.</p>
<p>Honestly you take that GPA out of the equation and you’d have a REALLY good chance, that’s about all that’s holding you back.</p>
<p>Just try and really highlight your out of school stuff, and your guidance counselor letter/ letter from a teacher that knows your family situation is going to be very imperative.</p>
<p>Seriously, I think that your guidance counselor’s rec can take care of two of your Cs while your mother was ill; the other one, I’m not too sure about it (unless there is another viable excuse). Your ECs are extraordinary and if you highlight them in humble fashion, you are a competetive applicant at any school, including Harvard. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>PS: imagine a Lakers vs. Magic Finals, they got you beat! LBJ will be epic next few games and lose to your “unstoppable” KB24 in 6 games. (have you seen Nike’s new ad campaign…LOL!)</p>
<p>Wow, this person is amazing.
Actually this is my second time seeing this chance post after in UPenn I think…
Good work, though. I wish I were that good musician.</p>
<p>To python: I sent my draft online to a publisher. I’m actually working on another one right now It’s about love … hahaha at least the teenage understanding of it :P</p>
-wishes she could get published-</p>