How to improve Application??? Please help

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everybody,

I’m interested in applying to several top target schools next year, namely Harvard and Wharton. My intended major is Finance. In what ways can I improve my college application??? Since I’m an Asian male from CA, I need all the help I can get. Any feedback will be GREATLY appreciated :slight_smile:

SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take
ACT (breakdown): 36
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Chemistry
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.5
Rank: Top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis: AP Euro, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP US History, AP Calculus, AP Lang, AP Microeconomics – Some of these I’m taking rn
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior year course load: AP Government, AP Statistics, AP Macro, some other stuff
Major awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

-1st place IBD and National SMS stock competitions
-1st place of national SIFMA National Investwrite Competition for two years, wrote about the importance of principles while trading
-top ten for Knowledge at Wharton High School investment analyst competition
-Science Olympiad state medals
-President’s Education Award
-Congressional Award
National AP Scholar

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

-Analyzed stock market data with personal scanners using Thinkscript and Java
-Involved with activist group, participated in several events
-FBLA (Co-founder and treasurer), state awards
-KWHS Investment Competition 2017 and 2018 (team leader)
-Science Olympiad (9, 10, 11) (Treasurer, President)
-Make a Wish Club
-Boy Scouts six years (Eagle Scout, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Bugler, Leave No Trace Guide)
-Wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal about the ethics of short selling stocks
-MOOCS courses on business morals for three years (2 hours/week)
-Webmaster of the school site
-Varsity Tennis 2 year, Junior Varsity Tennis 2 years (Captain)

Job/Work Experience: Three years working as assistant tennis coach

Volunteer/community service:
Volunteered for abuse hotline
Meals on Wheels
Worked at retirement home

Summer Activities:
Completed three month online Wharton Financial Modeling Course
Enrolled in 2 week LBW program at Wharton
Took a summer course at UCLA

I’m trying to sell myself as an avid finance enthusiast who recognizes the importance of business ethics. Would this be cliche and overused??? Reminder: this isn’t a “chance me” thread. I’m looking for genuine feedback on anything I should do to improve my app. THANKSSS :slight_smile:

2

Shoot. I just realized I posted this in the “Chances” forum… the irony

3

Everything you’ve done really stands out and you sound like who you say you are. Just try to do volunteer work that’s a little more unique and still fits around your major. Volunteer for a program that teaches kids about computers or be a mentor little things like that. Even if you don’t you do those things you’re still a good candidate :slight_smile:

4

@ibanker38 I don’t understand what you mean by 1st place at SIFMA’s Investwrite nationally for two years. Nobody from California has won investwrite over the past 5 years.

5

Wow! Oh my… You seem to be a really solid candidate for these schools! Good Luck and Keep up!

Chance me too… http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1971228-please-chance-me-ill-chance-you-back.html#latest