But most people admitted to UCB or UCLA don’t have major awards or anything very stand-out.
^^ Source for that information @Huangmaster ?
probably not major awards (there are only so many major awards)- but you are trying to use a (possible) big award to make up for the weaknesses in your application. That’s what people mean by holistic applications.
Getting one of these major awards is extraordinary, and I think it should help you a lot. BUT, I don’t think it is a guaranty of admission to these schools if you win one of these. And, you can’t be guaranteed of winning one of these either.
I feel like you are only focusing on BIG - the top schools, the top awards. I don’t think you are understanding that there are a lot of other excellent choices out there also. Just as you aren’t thinking that the ECs that you do have are actually something. With regard to ECs, I think it would be helpful to you if you can secure a leadership position with robotics, because this is an EC that you have done all 4 years. Likewise showcasing your involvement with CS over your HS career shows continuity.
If you are lucky enough to win one of these big awards, please don’t just apply to UCB and UCLA and then safeties. You could really get burned.
"And aren’t MIT and Caltech more stats-based too?:
You haven’t looked at the MIT web pages yet, have you? Why Not?
You’ll see how they feel about unilateral.
My comment about not turning to others yo understand basics was after the suggestion above of getting a college counselor. The applicant is best served when he has an idea what targets look for, when the goals are realistic, the counselor has something effective to work with. When OP does some of this, he’ll grasp what we’re saying. Until then, we’re repeating ourselves.
Major awards don’t replace holistic strengths. Nor do stats. It’s Holistic 101. I doubt hanging one’s hat on maybe finishing as semi or finalist is the best use of time. Ok, but not the best use and still missing the point. Same for personal projects. It’s not the “whole” those colleges want. It’s the kind of thing some kids do on top of the rest of the core ingredients.
These tippy tops like kids who get the point.
The research at USC sounds like a good EC! Maybe join some clubs or something (2 late to get a officer position though), and the best thing to do is do something active in the summer.
Preferably an internship would be the best EC, but jobs, or even volunteering show colleges that you are spending time wisely.
My friend had a 1540, 4.5, and few small club memberships and he got into Northwestern early! He probably had good essays or something. Anyways just take advantage of the time you have and do some activities.
The UC’s are definetely possible (I got into Berkeley with worse stats than you), but computer science makes it difficult. I definetely think you can get UCI, probably UCSD/UCSB. UCLA and Cal are definetely reaches especially for CS (you should apply to Letters and Science for easier admission).
Good luck!
Yes, I’m personally writing the essays and the counselor will help me edit them. And I’m spending some time researching what these colleges want. You’re right, it’s the whole person they want. But “holistic admissions” seem quite subjective and ambiguous.
@melvin123 lol, I’ve only been doing robotics for 1.5 years, but I still love it. Securing a leadership position (possibly even president) in robotics next year is definitely possible. The club is pretty small (we only have like 7 members including leaders) since lots of people lost interest quickly. After the seniors graduate, it will be myself and 3 others. I’ve been thinking of trying to expand the club next year. Maybe that would make a compelling story.
Your robotics is fine. The point is not this mania for titles and awards we see on CC. It’s the commitment you made, the experience collaborating, whether or not your team won. Later this fall, someone will help you learn how to best describe your role. For now, you need a way to see if you match- in their eyes, not just vis a vis your own wants and dreams.
Holistic seems subjective, but ultimately, much of what you do in life is evaluated subjectively, not rack and stack (sorted by gpa or scores.) Learn what those valued attrubutes are. The more you try, the better your understanding. Even the process of trying to understand is an important effort (personally, in your thinking, etc. A life skill.)
You do not need a leader title.
Please, give yourself time to understand what compelling is, what you will try to “show” in your essays. What they want to see is not a pitiful club! Or someone who saved the day. It’s more personal than that.
That’s why some applicants like the UK system better: for US applicants, meet the requirements, you probably get a place*.
*not counting Oxford and a handful of others
I don’t have any interest in UK universities, so that’s out of the question.
"And aren’t MIT and Caltech more stats-based too?
May be that is true, but they also got tons of Asian male applicants with better ECs and higher stats and reject most of them. Can’t blame them for looking better prospect in applicants when the applicants are also looking higher prestige in potential school to attend.
There are students who do odd things for more than ten years without thinking what the use for until applying colleges, and that’s the passions that colleges which want more than stats are looking for. Playing video games, watching YouTube, doing nothing can be ECs too if you can put them into positive spin on one’s college application. You never know.
CSUs don’t require or ask for any ECs at all. They just look at your major, gpa and test scores. That might be your best option.
Assuming I do have a solid profile by the time and some updates after applying (with the biggest things possibly being Siemens and/or Regeneron semifinalist and USACO platinum), what would be my chances for UCB, UCLA, and UCSB at both the college of engineering and letters and sciences?
Lol, I just realize I made a massive mistake when posting my stats here. I accidentally put that my current gpa was 3.81 when in reality it’s 3.71 (15 A’s, 4 B’s, 1 C) I probably just made my chances much slimmer.
“As presented here, the big thing that you are missing for the lottery schools (Harvard, Stanford, MIT, CalTech)…”
Can we all agree that “lottery” and college admissions should not be used in the same sentence it really does a disservice to the students who get accepted to these top schools and is dismissive of all the hard work that AOs/committees put in to choosing their freshman class.
Carry on…
OP, you have to quit speculating. IF this and IF that. Right now, your record seems on the sparse side for a most-competitive college. IF you win, you still have the rest to deal with- the B and C grades, 4 scores in two courses directly significant to the major, and an apparent lack of balance in ECs. Essay understanding yet to come.
We’re trying to steer you, but you want some assurance. We cannot assure you. You find ways to repeat the question, we answer the same.
SIemens, Regenereon, AND USACO cannot tip scales.
Come back in a month or two, after some serious learning and fixing.
No you cannot twist game playing into a tip.
Your shot at Stanford, at best: 4%. You can google for this data for the other schools.
It’s all been said. You have work to do or nothing changes. No rephrasing of the question changes that.
Although I do think some posts on this thread have been phrased harshly, the advice you are getting from everyone is correct.
You are clearly a very smart kid with talent in STEM. Just look at the math. The schools you are targeting have acceptance rates hovering around 5%. For an Asian, male, STEM applicant without any other “hooks” that is probably closer to 2%. That means 98% of the applicants like you are going to be rejected. There is nothing wrong with putting in an application if you really feel the need AND doing so won’t take time away from your work on applications to realistic choices. But, you need to put those schools at the back of your mind for now. You need to concentrate on entire world of excellent schools who will want you. Look at the schools who will be excited by your scores, by the fact that you are doing original research with a University Professor, that you have an interest in robotics. They will value these things whether or not you end up winning awards.
Here is another thought. You spent a lot of time in high school socializing, going to the beach and the movies and being with friends. Some people might think that was wasted time. Personally, I don’t. You worked hard in school, got decent grades and participated in activities. You also found time to have a social life. Good for you! Thats called a balanced life. Maybe, you would like to look at schools where you can keep living a balanced life. How about schools where kids work hard and play hard? I bet thats not the case at M.I.T. I bet its not at CalTech.
I’m not commenting on your list of schools because I don’t really know anything about the California system. I also have to say that I disagree with @lookingforward on one point. I believe that some advice from a professional or other adult who is savvy about the college process could be very helpful to you. You really don’t have to have everything figured out on your own. Plenty of kids rely heavily on those services to get into top schools and many that don’t have parents that are very knowledgeable and can guide them. Yes, some kids are real go-getters and figure this out on their own, but not ALL kids at top schools can do this. Just as the posters have done on this thread, a good counselor can help you appreciate your own achievements, turn them into a compelling story and help you craft a good list of schools.
@gallentjill couldn’t have said it better!
Actually, a motto of MIT is “work hard, play hard”! Look at this http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/work-hard-play-hard. MIT is among my top choices so maybe I could use this to my advantage. Do you think I could craft a good story about being a fun and sociable person? Could that be a positive for some of the top schools?
The only thing that seems ambiguous throughout these forums is these schools that everyone keeps talking about. UC’s seem like the best option aside from the reaches. Others here have suggested places where my 35 will really help. I’ll definitely take a look at those. But I’d like to target one or two reaches and try to show fit for those schools.
That’s a fair cop, @socaldad2002 - it was lazy language on my part.
I completely agree that they are really good at putting together their classes, and I usually am on the side of defending the adcomms.
What I was thinking was the super long odds of getting in, not as in random admissions, but there were better ways of saying it.