<p>Well, let's see, im an underperforming Asian girl who just figured out in her senior year that going to a fantastic college might be a pretty good idea... so... here's my stats for everyone to laugh at! Maybe it'll help relieve some of the stress in here...Do tell me what some good match college might be though, thanks!</p>
<p>School Type: Public, not fantastic, actually, pretty bad on second thought
GPA:3.85 UW (we have 15 competitors for valedictorian! Hem... Shows how much I suck!)
SAT I: 2180 (Didn't study...Might retake if not too lazy)
SAT II: Non-existent until November
National Merit Semi-finalist (haha, um... I'm live in a low population west coast state)
APs: Ap euro & Ap us (accidentally got 5s, I'm serious on the accidental part, I fell asleep on the last essay on AP US...)
Random Stuff:
Started random foreign aid program in my community
ESL (haha) fluent in mandarin and another obscure Chinese dialect...
Symphony Orchestra (violin - so stereotypical! I wanted to play sax but my parents hate it ;_;)
Robotics team
National Honor Society (stereotypical)
track & X-country (Not good enough to get recruited)
Research institute Lab Intern (stereotypical)
Hosipital Volunteer (Stereotypical)
Free Trade Organization volunteer
Debate (stereotypical)
Senior Schedule: Ap Comparative Gov, Ap American Gov, AP Calc, AP Japanese, AP Chem, Lit&Philosophy, Symphony, Modern Lit
All my teachers hate me because I never do any of my homework...there goes the chance for a good recommendation...
My guidiance coun. never leaves his office, and the one time I meet with him, he mistakenly applauded my hard work (I laughed my head off) and then called me by the wrong name (laughed even harder...he looked really confused)</p>
<p>Yeah, seriously! The only thing that came through strongly from your post was your severe lack of confidence and spirit.
That being said, you have decent test scores and a good GPA. You also have a good senior schedule. Now quit saying everything is stereotypical...you have some great activities and you're just being silly by saying you're underperforming (hello, the average SAT section score for Asians is still under 600!)
Have some confidence in yourself and you'll be fine. You seem like a smart kid, so go ahead and retake the SATs, and this time, try believing in yourself.</p>
<p>Actually, I'd like to commend your attitude. This sort of sense of humor and nonchalant-ness is a smart way to approach the stressful college admissions process.</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon, Cornell, Rice, and some top publics i.e. UVa or UMich might be good matches/slight reaches.</p>
<p>As a Harvard student...well, I think that the only thing you need to worry about is your grades, really...AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK. You never know...your teachers might actually just be disappointed in you because they think you're wasting your talent (yes, I do know...my brother is like that), not hate you...if you REALLY put forth effort, I think they just might change their opinions of you. To me, you seem like you're a little unconfident simply because you think that all of your activities are so "stereotypical"...one of my best friends did all that stuff. It honestly--in my opinion--comes down to who you are as a PERSON, not what activities you did...if you were passionate about something, even if it was "just" violin (ha), they'll see that. They're looking for a class made up of people with great potential...
BUT...they are also looking for people who can and will utilize that potential, and that does mean getting your grades up. I'd say your scores are high enough...just work your hardest this year, get to know your teachers (they're people too)...and I had a similar guidance counselor. Harvard is a place of self-made people, and they expect that you know what you want and how to get it. I realize I'm rambling here, but I guess I think you need to know all this stuff.
I agree with what Mr. Layman said...UMichigan (and Michigan State--great place) would be especially good. Try for Harvard anyway...you never know. Seems to me that you're at least a full person, not a study machine (and yes, I didn't study for any of my tests either, lol).
Good luck!
Ciao,
~lb</p>