Harvard SCEA and other top schools

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Any opinions or suggestions would really be appreciated. </p>

<p>Female, one of the top 10 public schools in the state.
GPA: 3.94 unweighted
SAT: 2380 (CR 780)
SAT II: Chem 800, Math 800, US History 780
Honors/AP Classes:
9th grade: all Honors
10th: AP chemistry, AP US History 1 (two-part course at my school), self studied AP Music Theory (both 5s)
11th: AP English lang, AP Bio, AP Calc AB, AP US 2, AP Spanish
12th (projected) : AP English lit, AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP Econ, AP Gov</p>

<p>ECs:
-Model UN: 2-time elected President of General Assembly, nominated for Premier Delegate Award, President of school chapter
-Youth and Government: Kean Assembly Vice Chair '10, Assembly Speaker '11, winner of Outstanding Statesman award, passed my bill through model Congress, President of school chapter
-Mock Trial Team: school's top witness, took team to states, team captain
-People with Pals (penpal program in Spanish to kids in Ecuador): president of school chapter.
-Peer Leaders (school drugs/alcohol awareness team): elected VP
-Violin: private lessons since age 4, Chamber Orchestra since freshman year, on the road to becoming school concertmistress of orchestra, regionals '10 - '11
-Volunteering at local medical center
-Assisted with neuroscience research at an esteemed medical center for 2 summers
-Girls' State for my state</p>

<p>-Indian music (most important): performed over 20 concerts in the US, UK, and India, won over 30 awards and competitions, go to India every year to perform in the music festival, and performed with eminent and notable artists. Performed a benefit concert in this music style to raise money for two charities.</p>

<p>Extras:
-Lived in the UK (Central London) for 4.5 years, until late middle school
-Scripps National Spelling Bee in middle school (dunno if that counts)</p>

<p>My reaches (chance me please?):
Harvard
Princeton
Stanford
Columbia
UPenn</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Decent ECs, but you’ll need to find a way to stand out.</p>

3

<p>^ I think the indian music stands out. She’s recognized for it and not many applicants have it.</p>

4

<p>You’re right. That could be really good. Sorry, I didn’t read the entire paragraph.</p>

5

<p>Do you think SCEA would be a good idea, or is that only effective for the most qualified candidates?</p>

6

<p>hmmmmmm bump</p>

7

<p>You’ll probably get deferred then accepted. You definitely stand out- that music thing is gold!</p>

8

<p>

</p>

<p>It may count. I think MIT is a good place for you.</p>

<p>[MIT</a> Spectrum Spring 2010 Championship Spirit](<a href=“MIT Spectrum - Spectrum | MIT for a Better World”>MIT Spectrum - Spectrum | MIT for a Better World)</p>

9

<p>i went to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in middle school too. idk if that will count either, And if it does, how are we supposed to incorporate that into our applications since they want you to list things done in high school? O_o</p>

10

<p>You can at least say your spirit in HS started with middle school activities or way back in elementary school activities.</p>

11

<p>If it’s likely that I’ll get deferred anyway (which I’d expect, given my stats, over outright acceptance/rejection) then should i just go RD?</p>

12

<p>I dont think colleges consider accomplishments from middle school on your application</p>

13

<p>Who’s silverturtle? Sorry, I’m clueless:)
Anyone else have opinions?</p>

14

<p>buuuuuuump</p>

15

<p>I know this is pretty much what everyone else has said, but whatever. Obviously your numbers are very good, you’ve challenged yourself, there’s significant community service and your ECs are pretty good. You’re a leader but obviously that’s true of most applicants to these schools. The Indian music thing is definitely a strong factor in helping you to stand out–like addymithas said, it’s gold. What’s your intended major though? You’ve obviously got the music thing, and you come off as very articulate and prepared to speak well (lawyer, politics, etc.), but then you’ve got a little bit of science with your APs and the neuroscience thing. Aside from just standing out, you need at least to hint to them that you’re continuing some of this and that it’ll reflect back on them. Do you plan to continue the Indian music thing? Are you going somewhere in law or politics? You have a lot of potential, which is great, but they need people who will use their college education as a means and not an end. (By the way, I don’t want to be too hard. I’m not saying you’re using it as an end; in fact I get every indication you’re not. Just trying to help.)</p>

16

<p>Thank you Nabian for the detailed, helpful post! :slight_smile: I haven’t really been certain of a future career (definitely not one of those kids who have known what they want to be since they were 5) but law definitely stands out the most to me. Harvard’s atmosphere draws me in, and I have several indirect family members who have attended. I plan to make my Indian music a large part of my app.
Again, thank you so much!</p>