how do I stand out?

Applying to College
1

<p>I am an Asian male from New Jersey going into 11th grade. I have a 4.0 GPA (12 AP courses by the time I graduate), I have a great SAT score (2360), great SAT II scores (790, 800, 800; all science/math) and I have a ton of science and math related activities that I am passionate about. My question is how do I try to stand out?</p>

<p>I haven't done any research so far but on almost every other chances thread posted by an Asian on CC they've done some research and submitted it to Intel/Siemens. Would it be a good idea for me to get an internship at Rutgers during the school year and then attempt to start a project of my own next summer?</p>

<p>Besides USABO, USNCO, and other Olympiads (which I will definitely be competing in next year) what other ways are there for me to stand out?</p>

<p>I feel like I'm in a horrible situation because there are thousands of kids just like me who are applying to the same colleges (HYPMS). Anyone have any ideas/advice?</p>

2

<p>what are you passionate about? (outside academics)</p>

3

<p>i'm on swim team and i'm part of the marching band. lol i don't know what else to say. there's no way out of this hole....</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
I have a ton of science and math related activities that I am passionate about.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You may want to look into Caltech.</p>

5

<p>You are in the toughest position possible being Asian from the mid atlantic. There are probably 2 dozen Asian kids from NJ on this site alone with similar stats and ECs. They will only take a few. What will it come down to? A very creative application, great recs, pull of HS and who else from the school is applying, how many legacies and recruited athletes from your school are applying and luck.</p>

6

<p>hahaha I'm one of those people who's almost exactly like you. I don't think there's much you can do to stand out. Just do those competitions and try to do really well. If you make it to USABO or IBO you really will stand out.</p>

7

<p>You could move to Hawaii if you're so desperately looking to stand out.</p>

<p>Or you could just write an essay that blows the crap out of the adcoms.</p>

8

<p>jets91: you have made a lot of great achievements already. Having your diploma conferred by a so-called "top 15" school isn't the only other benchmark of "success". By all means go for the colleges that you think will best fit you, however, don't buy into the "top ranked schools mean everything" baloney. I graduated from one of the HYPS schools and I've met 100s of absolutely stunning people in my career who didn't go to those schools, many of whom I'd consider it a privilege to work under.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you.</p>