Honest opinion on my chances please

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>My extracurriculars are a bit weak atm, mainly because I've ditched my beloved XC and track in favor of academics... </p>

<p>Also, does it seem obvious I'm trying to load up on EC my senior year if I suddenly jump into BPA, model UN, the aforementioned sports (i'll make varsity easily), among others? Sanks...</p>

<p>Now to the meaty stuff.... please, an honest opinion.</p>

<p>Colleges of Interest (in no particular order):
(1) Princeton University (well except this one, its top choice)
(2) Harvard University
(3) California Institute of Technology
(4) Stanford University
(5) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(6) University of Pennsylvania
(7) University of Chicago (my dad is a professor with tenure... so yea, BIG advantage... or so I hope)
(8) Northwestern University
(9) University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne
(10) Yale University (i guess :-/ just to make the list a list of 10)</p>

<p>Background:
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Asian
Location: Midwest U.S.
Class in College: 2012
High School: Public</p>

<p>Academics:
GPA - Unweighted: 3.98/4.00
GPA - Weighted: 4.69/5.00
Class Rank: 1
Class Size: 1016</p>

<p>Standardized Testing Scores:
SAT I Math: 800 (will retake)
SAT I Critical Reading: 720 (will retake)
SAT I Writing: 780 (will retake)</p>

<p>ACT with Writing: 35; 12 on writing portion (will retake)</p>

<p>SAT II Math: 800
SAT II History: 760
SAT II Chemistry: (will take in fall)</p>

<p>AP Euro: 5
AP Statistics: 5
AP USH: (probably) 5
AP Lang + Comp: 4 or 5
AP Chemistry: (probably) 5
AP Calculus BC: (probably 5)
AP Spanish Language: (probably) 4
(AP Physics C, AP Biology, AP Eng Lit, AP Govt, AP Micro, AP Macro, Calc 3 next year)</p>

<p>Extracurriculars, awards, and such:
Math Team (el capitan)
Intramural Basketball
Spanish Honors Society
National Merit Commended (230 on the PSAT; most likely Finalist)
Valedictorian (in 1 semester)
Various AP-related awards
Scholastic Bowl
REACH
Snowball
(will be entering the Siemens-Westinghouse competition... we'll see how that goes x.x lol)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Service Work:
Public Library
Peer Tutoring
Theatre Camp (this summer)
(adds up to around 250 hours plus more next year)</p>

<p>So yea, I realize now that more and more people (valedictorians especially) are being bumped out of the top because its so much more competitive and second-tier schools are also raising their standards (tho it comforts me to know that our class size is beastly huge). Id like some honest opinions on my chances of getting to the colleges listed.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

2

<p>excellent overall resume...its very difficult to tell if anyone gets into any of those top couple of schools on ur list </p>

<p>if u raise ur SAT scores u have an great chance though</p>

<p>ur 7,8,9's are matches i would say</p>

3

<p>Okay, let me just tell you that if you retake the ACT after getting a 35, you will be wasting money and time. Honestly, if one gets a 2370, what reason is there for one to continue preparing for another SAT.</p>

<p>You can retake the SAT if you want, but I think it would be stupid if you did, since your scores are fine enough to get into a top school... Seriously there are people with 1900's that get into Harvard. The only reason I see that you might want to retake it is because Princeton is your first choice, and you want to get as close to perfection as you possibly can so you could stand to compete with the other applicants.</p>

<p>You're a good student, my only advice is that you don't retake the ACT and use the money and time to study for something that will benefit you.</p>

<p>Also, make sure you write a spectacular essay. A good essay can be your ticket to a few of the colleges you listed below. (Well Princeton is kind of a longshot... it takes a lot of luck to get accepted).</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the comments, guys. Uchiha, I see what you're saying.</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

5

<p>good chance at all..</p>

6

<p>The Essay is key. You have the scores, but you are right your EC's are lacking. It's a shame that you had to drop XC and TRACK in favor for academics. Plenty of people, including myself, have managed to compete and do well in school and lead clubs/organizations.</p>

<p>I think you do have a good chance because of academics, but lack of EC's will hurt you. Admissions will be a crapshoot for you. From the perspective of an Admissions Officer you will want to get good recs and interview well in order to avoid playing the role of a "textureless math grind." It honestly seems like you are in the same situation that Jian Li was in.</p>

<p>I will predict that you won't get into Stanford or Harvard, but you have a great shot at the others.</p>