<p>Brief background
Senior
GPA 4.60 (so far)
SAT 2340 - Math 800, Critical Reading 800 Writing 740
ACT 36
PSAT - NMSF likely to be NMF
Subject SATs - 800 in all - Math 2, Biology E&M, Physics, Chemistry, World History, US History
Rank 1/450</p>
<p>Sports - zero</p>
<p>Other ECs - Very passionate about sciences
Captain of Science Bowl - Regional Champions in middle school and HS
Captain of Science Olympiad team - multiple gold medallist at state and inter-state competitions
AMIE - Qualified last 3 yrs - top 3 in state
Speech National Qualifier
US Chemistry Olympiad Finalist; USABO - Semifinalist
Many math awards in local school and state competitions, and finally
National Spelling Bee - Finished in top 3 at Nationals
Summer research experience at university</p>
<p>Sincerely appreciate any and all input on his chances to the top schools. We will of course also apply to the state flagship school as well as some that are not in the top 10.</p>
<p>Thanks for your feedback. Are the essays going to make the difference here? Kinda at a loss to understand what else he should be doing to get into one of the top schools.</p>
<p>ECs all seem fairly trivial. Your son seems like the guy who dabbles in a lot of sciences and is mediocre in all of them. Is USAChO Finalist top 50 or above? AIME is far too inconsequential, as is USABO semis.</p>
<p>Is there anything else besides the science stuff? If not, then it’s very hard to say.</p>
<p>All you can know is if you are in range for those schools. They get so many more very qualified students than they can accept. Certainly the HS students posting here have no better gauge of chances than you do. Yes, essays can make the difference.</p>