How does it look for me?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi, I am currently a junior in a the most rigorous high school of my state.
I really just wanted to know what the general public thought of my college list.
These are the schools I am really interested in.
I'm basically a science nerd. I love everything science related, other than astrology and earth science, but who knows, I may fall in love with those subjects as well.</p>

<p>So I guess everyone here on CC puts up stats, so I suppose I should put a brief summary of mine as well so that you guys know a little bit more about me.</p>

<p>So first the classes (we are a nationally accredited school and can offer these classes as honors)</p>

<p>Freshman Year
Honors Ancient World History
Honors Introduction to Literature and Composition
Honors Algebra II / Trigonometry
Honors Geometry
Honors Spanish I
Honors Latin I
Honors Biology</p>

<p>Sophomore Year
AP United States History
Honors American Literature
Honors Precalculus BC
Honors Spanish II
Honors Latin III
Honors Chemistry
Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology</p>

<p>Junior Year
AP European History
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus BC
Honors Latin IV
AP Chemistry
Honors Physics
Honors Environmental Science and Public Policy (No AP offered and this was an entirely different course)</p>

<p>Senior Year (planned for the future)
AP Psychology (I'm taking Honors US Government over the summer)
AP English Language and Composition (although I may take other english seminars instead)
Honors Multivariable Calculus
AP Latin V
AP Biology
AP Physics C
Honors Chemistry Laboratory</p>

<p>My current cumulative GPA is about 3.9, although my weighted GPA is far greater, although I do not really think that matters. My math and science grades are all A's, as well as my foreign language grades. English and history have made a dent in my GPA, but nonetheless I continue to challenge myself and try to do better. I am improving this year, despite the fact that I am taking AP classes in both subjects. Yay for hard work :P</p>

<p>Some science and math extracurriculars
I have been involved in research for almost a year now and am planning to publish a paper, if not two in an accredited science journal.
I will also be doing some research in a science company later on.
I also plan to compete and hopefully win in national science and math competitions, including science olympiad and the american mathematics competition.</p>

<p>Other extracurriculars
I have consistently volunteered at a local hospital, which is surprisingly fun may I add. I love working around with the patients and the nurses. No bs.
I also do a sport, track.
I am a part of the Honor Code committee at my school.
I am a Student Ambassador.
I am a part of the Junior Classical League.
I am a part of the Mock Trial Team.
I only participate in the extracurriculars I am passionate about. If I do not feel that I will go far in a certain club or activity, I do not continue in that club. The listed activities and extracurriculars, however, I plan to pursure because I do have a passion for each one of them. I am also a part of the NHS, Latin NHS, and Varsity Quiz team. I may even be a part of the Cum Laude Society this year.</p>

<p>Oh and test scores.
PSAT - 215 That is good enough to become a semi finalist in my state, surprisingly.
SAT- 2330
AP scores- although I do not know yet, I am planning to take a total of ten exams and become national AP scholar. I am really going to work hard for that title and in the classes overall to learn as much as possible. Learning is definitely a lot more than what you learn in the classroom, and I know that.
SAT II's - I haven't taken them yet, but I plan to take the Math II, Chemistry, and maybe even the Physics subject tests. I plan to get high scores on all of them. So let's just work off assuming that I reach all my goals.</p>

<p>I think I listed all the information necessary to estimate my chances at the schools I am about to list.
They ARE in a particular order, from schools I am most interested in to the ones I am least interested in, but obviously still part of my top college list. They each have particular programs and science strengths that I am interested in.</p>

<p>REACH
1. California Institute of Technology
2. Washington University in Saint Louis
3. Northwestern University
4. Brown University</p>

<p>I think I can get in lol.
5. University of Southern California
6. University of California San Diego
7. Rice University
8. Tufts University</p>

<p>Safety
State colleges or the UC's.</p>

<p>So what I want to know from the general public is the following.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Is there anything missing in my "chances" record? Do I need to improve upon anything? How are my chances at each of the named colleges?</p></li>
<li><p>Is my selection of colleges hindered/bad/lacking in any way? Is the order of colleges a little off?</p></li>
<li><p>Assuming that I get the scores I want and do fairly well in the science and math competitions, what are my chances of not only getting into the listed colleges, but also their combined medical programs?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Please critique me as harshly as possible. I promise I won't retaliate.
i just need the harsh truth about my college "resume" so far, as well as my chances of getting into the said colleges and their programs. </p>

<p>Of course the essays matter and I plan to write them as naturally as possible. I definitely want the colleges to see the real me.</p>

<p>Please leave tons of messages :P</p>

2

<p>You’re stressing too much. In general, I think you actually have things under control. You’ve got your reaches, matches, safeties. And they do generally fall into those categories (though Rice and Tufts may be high matches). As to your chances: for your reaches, they’re a crapshoot, but you’ve got better odds than some applicants, it would seem (especially if you do actually publish that research). You’ve got worse odds than some. But overall, you’re doing just fine. Use the rest of junior year and senior year to focus on what you love, to become a better person, NOT what you think will make you better for colleges (you’ve already got the SAT down pat, and if you keep doing as well as you’re doing in school, your academic record will be good. And doing what you love will make you a better candidate than anything else at this point).</p>

<p>I’d actually look into more colleges. Not apply to more colleges, mind you, but really try to find out what all the colleges’ quirks are, find things about them that really appeal to you. Do you want to be somewhere that you can just randomly find computer parts laying about, or someplace that forms tight-knit communities? If a college doesn’t have SOMETHING about it that gets your heart racing, your conversation sped up and puts a twinkle in your eyes, drop it and keep looking.</p>

3

<p>OP, what can your parents afford to pay for school? Do you need merit or financial aid? While some of the UCs would be safeties for you I would not consider them at this time. Budget cuts will probably make a good portion of the student population attend for 5 years rather than 4.</p>

4

<p>Are you in-state for Calif? (I’m not sure, because you said that a PSAT is high enough for NMSF, and I thought that Calif had a higher cut-off.)</p>

<p>How much will your parents pay for your education?</p>

<p>If you’ll need financial aid, you’ll need to find out what your EFC is… [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/calculators/finaidestimate.phtml)</p>

5

<p>To the OP: A couple of your reaches could be matches, assuming you don’t end up a victim of yield protection.</p>

<p>As long as you have financial safeties, you’re fine…</p>

6

<p>to those concerned about my financial status
i should be covered to be honest with you
most of the schools i will be applying have need-based financial aid
my family has a net income will below $60,000</p>

<p>@chsowlflax17
i have found something that “twinkles” in my eye about each of the colleges. some “twinkle” more than the others, hence the specific order of my colleges. and are you implying that i dont have that good of a chance of getting into my reaches? (and tufts and rice?)</p>

<p>@sp1d3ysense
which colleges are you speaking of?</p>

7

<p>Are you in-state for Calif?</p>

8

<p>no i am not.
i am a nevadan lol</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>WUSTL, NU</p>

<p>Just curious, what’s a “blizzardpenguin” doing in Nevada??</p>

10

<p>hahaha
its a 6th grade thing that ive been continuing for a while now
theres a whole story to it, dont worry im not crazy :P</p>

11

<p>I think you’ve got a pretty decent chance of getting into your reaches/matches. When I said some of them are high-matches (esp. Rice and Tufts), it’s because they’re not easy to get into, even if they’re not considered top-tier colleges. You’re stressing too much because you’ve obviously put a lot of thought and effort into your college search: now you should focus on what you love because that’ll make you a better person, not just a better college applicant. If you can’t stop thinking about colleges, I encourage you to find some more: not because your list isn’t good, but because it won’t hurt you, your tastes will likely change throughout junior and senior year, and it’s nice knowing what’s available to you. All that said, you’re doing just fine, so just keep at it and you’ll end up somewhere that fits you.</p>

12

<p>thank you very much chsowlflax17
i am a little stressed about this college search thing
but i still continue to do what i love
its just winter break and i find myself doing this kinda thing late at night
during the school year though, no worries. im doing what i love to do everyday</p>

13

<p>You do know that state colleges don’t provide need based aid to OOS students (with a very few exceptions like UVA), right? UCSD would cost you about $50K/year. You should look through this thread to see what other schools might appeal to you that offer good merit aid to NMFs.<br>
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;