<p>Hello, I will be applying for Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Stanford, etc.</p>
<p>I am an asian american and I came here (america) in elementary school</p>
<p>I will list a few of the more important stats and ask for an honest opinion of my chances as well as which schools I should be considering and ways to improve (not only application wise but in general).</p>
<p>SAT I: 2400
SAT II: 3 x 800
GPA: 4.0 UW
Rank: Probably 1st
APs: 10 x 5s, probably siemens ap scholar; ap scholar in 10th grade
Will recieve IB diploma</p>
<p>I am semifinalist in:
USAMO, USAPHO, USABO, USACO</p>
<p>Am a davidson fellow, and isef finalist
Received rensallear medal (sp?), bausch and lomb medal, harvard book award</p>
<p>I have won numerous prizes/places in math/sciences/related projects on a regional, state and national level</p>
<p>I am an all-state musician, in the state championship track team, have volunteered for 100+ hrs, recepient of several other scholarships e.g. discover card</p>
<p>I would like a honest appraisal as the title of the post indicates. I am not a troll and am not here to make anybody feel bad about him or herself. I know that I probably have a good shot at most schools, but nevertheless would appreciate constructive insight/criticism about where (and how) I can improve to be better and my chances at the very top schools (as mentioned above). Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I don't think you really have anything to worry about. You are well-rounded and you have won numerous awards in math and science, which I assume you will pursue moreso in college. I don't see any thing that stands out that says you shouldn't get in to any of those schools.</p>
<p>But, 100+ hours of community service is pretty low. Community Service is the easiest thing you could do to help out your chances. Other than that, you should get in to all of those places if you do the other stuff right (essays, recs, etc.)</p>
<p>You make this post on the day that you just signed up? C'mon, you know how to format the usual "what are my chances" column and such, you've obviously been around for some time, and you obviously know which buttons to push and which to steer clear from. I'm just suprised you didn't go after any bolder accomplishments, I mean, something really unique.</p>
<p>Yeah... all-state musician (I didn't know you one could be considered "all-state"), on state championship track (lot of training, no?), 100 hours of community service, and still have time to conduct major science research? Semi-finalists for all those math and science teams, too? Just high enough for us all to be 'wowed,' but not high enough to have your picture online with the selected team. Kind of convenient.</p>
<p>I'm just appalled that you used an "asian-american" as your troll ethinicity... gah.</p>
<p>also i believe its impossible to take 10 aps and recieve an ib diploma. The 10 aps would have to be taken during freshman and sophmore year and if that were the case, the op probably would have graduated a year early because there would be no high-school courses left to take.</p>
<p>"also i believe its impossible to take 10 aps and recieve an ib diploma. The 10 aps would have to be taken during freshman and sophmore year and if that were the case, the op probably would have graduated a year early because there would be no high-school courses left to take."</p>
<p>IBs and APs are not mutually exclusive in 11th and 12th grades. That is, one can take both.</p>
<p>Please don't post just to comment on the fact that this seems like a troll. It would be a waste of my time if I had fabricated a post (for what purpose?). Furthermore it's a waste of your time to post about your disbelief. Just move on.</p>
<p>1.) biomedical/biotech areas
2.) aerospace
3.) finance/econ.</p>
<p>Obviously these potential fields are quite different. I am having a tough time choosing. Any suggestions as to which schools would fit which majors would be appreciated. Also, other related majors would be helpful as well.</p>
<p>*I am most definately a novice with respect to which schools are strong in which areas.</p>
<p>Ok, next question is the money one. Have you talked about this with your folks? Many of the schools on your list (the ivies + MIT) give needs-based aid only. They will look at your family income and assets, and decide how much help (if any) you 'need'. Many middle class families can't afford / won't pay their EFC. If so, you will need to look at merit based aid. Have you had the money talk with your folks, done a couple of the EFC estimators, and have their go-ahead that they will pay their EFC (or full freight)?</p>
<p>I live in a rather upper-class area so I will not be receiving financial aid (most likely). I have also won enough scholarship money to fully cover a good chunk of my time in college at these schools. With that said, I am on the lookout for opportunities to help ease the burden off of my parents financially and if there are any suggestions as to ways I can accomplish this that would be great.</p>
<p>Good, that makes it a lot easier. You may want to apply to two sets of schools, then - one for the science and engineering you, and another for the finance and economics you. Case has a very strong biotech program - extremely likely admit plus merit money - so a financial safety as well. UChicago offers scholarships to students of your calibar - good for sciences and, obviously, economics. </p>
<p>Other schools to consider: Caltech, CMU, Harvey Mudd, Carleton.</p>
<p>Haven't you cured some incurable disease by now?
[quote]
Please don't post just to comment on the fact that this seems like a troll. It would be a waste of my time if I had fabricated a post (for what purpose?). Furthermore it's a waste of your time to post about your disbelief. Just move on.
[/quote]
What do you expect us to say? You have a very low chance at Harvard? Ok, you have a very low chance at Harvard. So does everyone.</p>
<p>How do you get perfect on every exam, become either a finalist or semifinalist in every competition you enter and all-state in both music and sports? And how did you learn the definition of a troll in 1 day? I didn't even know what it meant until yesterday..</p>
<p>Obviously, the OP has a very good chance at the top schools, but weird stuff happens - hence his post. Also, the most selective school (or the one at the top of the USNWR listing) may not be best for a particular department - or student. JHU would be excellent for research (if the student doesn't get lost in the herd of undergraduates), and Duke sounds like a great education and a good time too. </p>
<p>I would suggest that the OP start some serious poking around on the departmental websites of the colleges of interest, and see what sort of research is actively being done. Don't be afraid to contact individual prof's with questions. If the prof's don't respond, ask the deparmental secretary for the info. Don't be shy - caveat emptor!</p>
<p>ttg,
Actually, it doesn't matter to me if the OP is exaggerating or not - somewhere out there a 4000/4000 (or close to it) kid is lurking, and needs to hear that his board scores won't automatically confirm admittance at every school in the country. Close to it, maybe, but not all the time. </p>
<p>The thing with SAT II's - if you have aced the New SAT already (at least as a composite), coming up with another couple of 800's isn't that impossible if you are a halfway decent student at a reasonable school.</p>