How do I look?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm curious if certain things are a greater factor in college admissions.</p>

<p>I'm a rising senior, currently ranked 2/401. The school is nice, but few go to Ivies, if I recall correctly.</p>

<p>GPA:
4.297 cumulative. My school did change the grading system this past year, so it's kinda wonky.</p>

<p>SAT's:
CR: 650, 670
Math: 710
Writing: 720, 11 essay
Best on one testing is 2080, superscore is 2100.</p>

<p>AP's:
So far, 5's on Chem and US history. I will be taking 4 AP classes next year.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars and awards:
NHS member
Treasurer of NAHS
Tutoring
100+ (I'm guesstimating how much I'll have total by the end of this summer) volunteering hours.
learning piano
ran Track Sophomore year (not an athlete)
Bausch and Lomb award from URochester for doing well in AP Chem
other generic academic awards</p>

<p>I am Asian male and moved to the US in 99' (I was 5). My parents make around 50k a year, combined.</p>

<p>I will be a first generation college student. Kinda confused about the first generation student thing as well. My parents have only completed high school, and my brother did start college, but had to stop, so I still apply, yah? Does first generation also apply to immigration status?</p>

<p>Yeah, I know my EC's aren't great. :/ Are there any last-minute Senior year things I can do?</p>

<p>Applying to:
UPenn (1st choice), UChicago, Villanova, UPittsburgh (backup), Penn State (backup), URochester (got a free application, so might as well)</p>

2

<p>Given your CR (good but not great), I’m not sure you can consider any of those schools as safeties. You probably should have at least one school that you’re sure you can get into and can afford. </p>

<p>That said, URochester is a great match. With your family’s income, you should get a great need based FA package. </p>

<p>Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using CC App</p>

3

<p>But they ARE the schools I’m sure I can get into (unless you’re talking about the honors program). I just checked CollegeBoard and my SAT scores are higher than the backup schools’ averages. And wouldn’t being a Salutatorian add some ease for my admission?..</p>

<p>I forgot to add my SAT II’s.
US History: 770
Chemistry: 790</p>

4

<p>They are solid matches, and you will PROBABLY get into one or more of them; but they are not safeties. Safeties are less selective schools where your stats (all of them) are above the 75th percentile and that you are sure you can pay for, even given a pessimistic assessment of your FA status. </p>

<p>Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using CC App</p>

5

<p>Congratulations on your accomplishments! Are you applying ED to UPenn? You need good financial aid, but UPenn should be able to meet your need. To which school at UPenn are you applying (Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Wharton)?
I would say that you can tie this up by getting some leadership. Start something new, either at your school or in the community. Do you speak another language? If so, this could be a springboard for starting something in your community - maybe an organization to support immigrants from your ethnic group, or a partnership with a community from your country of origin. Or, you can start some sort of chemistry activity for kids. Think of a good science project, enter a science fair and win.
Also, if you work in a family business, that is an EC!
I like your list. Good luck!</p>

6

<p>Thanks! :slight_smile: I think I will apply ED to Penn (for the CAS). I would love to go into the medical field. But I know I’ll do something sciencey. Getting a duel degree would be a goal if I can get in.</p>

<p>I do speak another language (my first), but not fluently, and someone in my family is opening a business though the most I’ll probably be doing is babysitting their kid like always. x) I am signing up to be a Big Brother though!</p>

<p>Thanks again for your input and suggestions, annasdad and levirm!</p>

7

<p>Anyone else? :D</p>

8

<p>

UPenn and UCHicago (don’t know about the other schools) have way more qualified applicants than they have room for. Being qualified does NOT guarantee you a spot.</p>

9

<p>I was referring to Penn State and UPitt because annasdad thought that my admission was not guaranteed to those two (my backups). </p>

<p>I know that UChicago and UPenn are toughies. ^_^</p>

10

<p>Last attempt to see if there are any more comments. :)</p>

<p>Also, I live in PA, so that’s why I put Penn State and UPitt on the back burner. It seems like any straight A student gets in, really. :P</p>