How do I look for the class of 2017?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Johns Hopkins University
1

<h2>Hello, I am planning on applying to Johns Hopkins University for the class of 2017. I love the proximity for me and my family, the somewhat "open curriculum" it offers (I love to spread knowledge into new things), and the lacrosse team that I don't need to really state does well every year (lax is firmly ingrained in my family, just didn't really hit with me per se), so do I look good? What should I really highlight in my essay? In terms of percentages where am I?</h2>

<p>Objective:
GPA: 4.0 UW (all A+ grades except in 3 classes), 4.4 W
Rank: 1/70-ish
SAT: 2150 single (720 CR, 680 M, 750 W)
PSAT: 203, I think, commended
SAT II: 750 Math I (will this offset my 680?) 760 Math II 720 Latin
AP: Lang (5) US (4) Art (5) Gov (5) Latin (<strong>) Lit (</strong>) Calc AB (<strong>) Stat (</strong>) Bio (*<em>)
*</em>= this year</p>

<h2>School: small private (sends top 5 to top 10 schools every year)</h2>

<p>Courses:
Freshman-
English Honors 97
Physics Honors 98
Geometry 94
Health/PE 100 (required)
Music 100 (required)
Theology 99 (required)
Latin 99
World History 101 (required)</p>

<p>Sophomore-
Biology honors 97
English Honors 99
AP Government 97
Latin 98
Theology 99 (required)
Algebra II 99
Music/Tech 100 (required)</p>

<p>Junior-
AP Language 96
AP Art History 98
Chemistry 98
Latin 98
Pre Calculus Honors 98
AP US 95
World religions 100 (required)</p>

<p>Senior-
AP Stat
AP Calc AB
AP Latin
AP Bio
AP Lit
Religion Courses (required)
Tech Courses (required)</p>

<hr>

<p>Subjective:
ECs:
National Honor Society (president): did a lot of tutoring last year, community service project collecting clothing for homeless, plan to do more next year
Mock Trial (captain): went to regional finals. Would have been top attorney but instructor chose seniors (it goes by selection) :/
Ski Club: purely recreational, though could make an essay?
Piano: 12 years, there are not many competitions around where I live. However I perform often for people, and I am quite good. I will send in a supplement.
Student Ambassador: act as a leader to younger children, get them ready for highschool, guide them around school.</p>

<p>Volunteering:
3 years volunteer at hospital. I will get a presidents award for hospital service. I have approximately 360 hours. I have also been recognized by many of the hospital's departments for my dedication every weekend (I show up alone and do all the work alone).
I play piano often for nursing homes- about 130 hours. I enjoy doing it for the people, it's fulfilling.
Some volunteering at elementary schools- 40 hours (not too much work here)</p>

<p>Work:
Intern at a prestigious research facility that is actually connected with some ivies. I work in the chair's lab, with all graduate students and postdocs, from ivies mostly. Will try for a recommendation from chair. I think I am doing pretty well, I was invited back for next summer. I went out of state to the city for this.</p>

<p>Awards:
A lot of school academic awards, too many to list
National Merit Commended
AP Scholar (Honors)
President Award for hospital
NLE Cum Laude
NLE Summa Cum Laude</p>

<h2>Poem Contest Semi Finalist, Poem is published</h2>

<p>Other:
Major: Looking at a double major in English/Biology (looking into Patent Law)
Essay: probably good, I did a practice one for AP Lang after the exam, for the highest grade in the class. It was about piano, I sucked for a while.</p>

<p>Teacher Rec: English Teacher: excellent. really loves me.
AP US teacher: will be above average.</p>

<p>Guidance counselor: not sure. Likes me, but not a good counselor, so average-above average?</p>

<p>Hook(s): my family struggles a little financially. But doubt that's a hook.</p>

2

<p>Bump. Sorry for the length. Hopefully someone can rough it out and chance me. Also, seeing as my major will be English (and Bio) do you think listing that major on my application will be a hook? I heard JHU values English majors.</p>

3

<p>I think you’re in great shape to garner acceptance at JHU. Your weakest spot numerically is the SAT, but I think the score is good enough. The only deficiency that jumps out at me is that you may not contribute to JHU’s diversity. You are an academically outstanding student, but I do not see any particularly unique life experiences. That said, I still say you have an outstanding shot at admission with all your academic achievements.</p>

4

<p>Thank you. I have felt that way about not exactly fitting into the diversity. However, maybe I could display a unique personality (I have some old family experiences just as an example) in the essay? Thanks for your chancing. If anyone else has a though feel free to chance!</p>

5

<p>Bump, thought I’d bring this bac up!</p>

6

<p>Word up! I got a 680 on my math SAT section as well, and I got into and attended Hopkins. So obviously it is doable. </p>

<p>As far as “unique life experiences,” you really don’t need to (in my opinion) have lived in a yurt for a year, explored Belize alone on foot, or be the state yo-yo champion to be interesting and unique. I think it’s more about unique PERSPECTIVE and what you will bring to the school. I will use myself as an example, because we had a similar math score – JHU used to have a required essay where you wrote about what you wrote about what your “perfect day” would be (I am not sure if they still do this). Honest to God, I wrote about going to the reptile house at the zoo. Later, I heard directly from an Admissions rep that she remembered and enjoyed my essay, and it had stood out to her because it was unique (according to her, most students wrote about either curing cancer or visiting their grandparents). Just show your personality and invite them in a little.</p>

7

<p>Like zorrita said, that 680, while lower than you’d like, will not kill you. Most schools, including Hopkins believe that a high GPA offsets low tests scores (to an extent of course). I recommend taking the SAT’s again and see if you can pull up your math, but if not, you should still be fine (especially if you apply ED since I believe ED is more forgiving on SAT scores).</p>

<p>As for your essay, it should act as a supplement, or guide, to your application. Remember that the admissions officers only spend a minute or so on each application. As such, you should read through your application and find something there that you want to make sure the admissions officer will notice and write an essay talking about it. For example, community service was a huge part of my high school career. In my application, I showed that each year I joined more community service organizations, but I wasn’t sure if the admissions officer would notice that trend. As a result, I wrote an essay explaining how I found a love of helping others my freshman year and how I discovered and joined each of the organizations throughout the years.</p>

8

<p>Okay. I wrote my essay, it hints at my lifelong passion for piano. It is REALLY out of the box, which I think will help. In terms of percentages for admission where would I fall?
Also, I am working as an assistant instructor for piano hopefully for credit at school. I will be setting up recitals for the kids at the piano company and everything. I will also be teaching them basic skills that I have learned. I’m sure this will bolster the representation of my passion.</p>