I’m thinking of applying to Harvard, Stanford, and Penn-Wharton and would LOVE some feedback
I’d like to go into finance at a top business school but am also considering econ at a top level school to get the same job opportunities.
Top Public School in my state. Graduated 220 kids last year and 70 went to top 20 schools. Sent kids to all 3 of these schools last year.
GRADES: 3.91 unweighted. 4.6 weighted. Straight A’s Junior year
ACT: 33 composite. 34 is my best on math. 34 reading. 31 science. 35 english.
AP Macro, AP Micro, AP Spanish, AP Calc BC, AP Stats, AP Gov
I’m Native American and am very active within my tribe. Summer Worker for past two summers. Creating documentary film on tribal history this summer. Interned chief grant writer of my tribe. Interned chairman of tribe and participated in meetings with a development company. I will soon accompany chairman to NAFOA (Native American Financial Officers Association) conference in Boston. This is a very tough conference to get into - I was the first ever high schooler allowed. Many business grad school students get denied permission. Volunteer counselor for my tribe’s summer youth camp as well.
Other EC:
Member of American Indian Business Leaders
Built an informational fly fishing website to sells ads to fly shops in Michigan and promote conservation of rivers
Member and volunteer of Trout Unlimited
Started a fly fishing club at school
Member of Michigan Numismatic Society since 7th grade, buy and sell rare coins online
Relay for Life Team Captain for 5 years, raised $5,000 individually
Captain of Cross Country Team for two years
Academic All-State Cross Country 3 years, All-Conference
Healthy High Finance Committee Leader for 3 years. Raised $10k per year for school-wide healthy living event
Freshmen Connection Leader for 3 years (Freshmen school orientation)
Member of spanish club, stock market club, latin club, french club
Student Council Representative 9th, 10th, 12th grade
NHS 11th and 12th grade
Your URM-Native American status will be a big plus. Your level of invo look involvement will stand out, and you have the potential for some distinctive essays.
You should also take a hard look at Dartmouth, which was founded to educate Native Americans a NH do gives them high priority, and which is a great place for someone looking at finance.
Your chances at these schools are very good. There are only a very small number of Native American candidates each year with your test score and GPA and none of them will have your level of EC involvement. I would contact your admissions rep directly at each of these colleges and ask how to find out more about them. They may have special outreach programs for native Americans or other URM. Decide which college is your top choice and apply ED/REA. Dartmouth does have a special program for exceptional Native American students that is worth looking into
I also think some of your ECS are refreshing (fly fishing, numismatics). I’d downplay the generic list of clubs at the end - up to that point you stand out as a refreshingly different applicant. That plus Native American + stellar academic credentials = very strong chance.
Yeah, not a bad application you’re putting forward. A 33 is perhaps on the lower end for those schools, but you wouldn’t be rejected because of that. Dartmouth is seriously worth looking into.
@fprosk, this looks like a great opportunity. I hope the OP can take advantage of it given the short time. The applications looks pretty straightforward. It would be good experience preparing for applications and thinking about interviews at other schools, as well as a great opportunity to learn more about a top 15 school with a commitment to Native American education.
@fprosk@renaissancedad@Wje9164be@jarrett211 thank you for the feedback! I have already applied to the Dartmouth fly-in program and hope to hear back soon. Are any of you familiar with Dartmouth’s econ program? Is it competitive with other ivies? Is it a good path to take for consulting or investment banking?
Your numbers and ECs would be competitive if you were not a URM; that you are gives you a definite boost.
That said, these are still reaches, albeit perhaps low reaches now.
Just to be sure you are covered, make sure you add a couple of high match schools, which for you would include schools like Georgetown, Rice and Notre Dame; maybe one solid match like a top-notch state school; and one safety. Finally, UChicago and Northwestern are truly great in Economics and overall academically… in case you wanted to add two more ivy-level schools to your app list.
But not counting UChicago or Northwestern, an app list like:
Harvard
Stanford
Penn
Dartmouth
Notre Dame
Michigan
Michigan State
…would give you a very strong chance of attending an elite private or an elite public, and even MSU as a safety is pretty darn solid.
(From your notes about Michigan, I figured you’re from Michigan.)
I would definitely apply to MIT if I were you. Sloan is just as good if not better than Wharton. I dont think you need to worry about where you will get in, rather you should focus on where you would be happy. Also consider Columbia if you are considering finance because being in new york city alot of Finance companies recruit from them and you have access to countless internships in the city.
Please look at mine, and good luck with your applications!
Harvard vs. Dartmouth - Is one significantly better for finance? I’m applying to Harvard REA, any tips for this application given my EC’s listed above?
Neither offers finance but if you mean for getting a job in the financial industry then Harvard is slightly better (but Dartmouth is awfully strong as well). Either school will help you land a job in the financial industry provided your grades are decent. Apply to the school you think you will be happy at. The teaching is fantastic at Dartmouth but most kids are lulled by the Harvard name. This is a real shame, imo.