<p>It's kind of offending that you ***** about getting a 3.7 because someone was sick. Some of us dont get that regardless. A 3.7 isnt bad by any means, so dont write a stupid essay about why your GPA wasnt .3 higher.</p>
<p>this bored has shifted more racial than actual, take a look at his scores and academic excels. You're practically flawless, but depending on getting into Stanford, Harvard and MIT is a bit too much, you should also consider schools like UPENN, Cornell</p>
<p>I'm really sorry if I offended anyone. Looking back at it now, I see that it's kind of insensitive to people who get a 3.7 which isn't bad, i was just trying to say that it was below average compared to other applicants to these top universities. I didn't mean to imply that everyone who got a 3.7 was a failure :(. Yeah I understand the need for matches and safeties, but I was just wondering about these dream schools of mine. If I raise my application to a level where I have a decent (read: 15-20%) chance at these schools, then I figure I will have a good shot at my matches and safeties as well. Are my math competitions enough to distinguish me from the rest of the pack? I understand that I'm not the very best, but I'm one of the best in my state...thanks for everyone who's commented so far, I'd appreciate more feedback!</p>
<p>I just wish i had a 3.7 every year....</p>
<p>You should also look at the five US Service Academies.</p>
<p>It's half full and half empty. If you apply to 3 or 4 schools at which you have 10-15% chance of getting in, you are approaching a 50% chance of getting into ONE of them. That ain't nothing...</p>
<p>that's a good point. What could I do to make my chances closer to 15%?</p>
<p>Write good essays that really reflect who you are. Polish them, but make them authentic. Take a risk and write about something that is definitely <em>you</em> but kinda out there/quirky/not incredibly intellectual. Come off as real. Stanford cares a lot about essays; Harvard EA doesn't help that much though it does help, esp. if that is where you want to go the most. I concur with masamune; USAMO and PROMYS do make you stand out - more than the average Asian kid, especially coming from Kansas (no offense, but it's not overly represented like California is and not as many Asians there either).</p>
<p>apply early</p>
<p>Stanford- Early action acceptance-20%
Regular decision-11%
percent freshman enrolled through early action 43%</p>
<p>Harvard - Early action 23%
regular decision 8%
percent of freshman enrolled through early action50%</p>
<p>MIT Early action 15%
regular decision 16%
percent of frshman enrolled through early action 32%</p>
<p>MIT's actually goes down? Wow, that's kinda weird. I think i'll apply to Harvard early, so I can't go early to the others. How will that affect my chances (does that help me, or is the higher percentage due to a stronger applicant pool like they say?) Yeah, and I know that Kansas isn't exactly the brightest state, no offense taken :)</p>
<p>The ED/EA round at top schools includes most of the recruited athletes, most legacies, development candidates and an increasing number of URMs, many of which are in programs that feed into top schools. Theses groups comprise almost 50% of a class at top schools. That the unhooked candidate has a better shot is not at all clear.</p>
<p>Another question, how much of an advantage is me being from Kansas? Will I be compared with people in my own area (who are generally weaker than the overall pool) and have a better chance of getting in?</p>
<p>Where is that stat from?</p>
<p>I think there are EA admission stats for each individual college on the forums for each of the colleges...</p>
<p>Write a novel. Just kidding, you have a shot but HYS are not certain for anyone.</p>
<p>MIT looks for people who are truly passionate about technology...whatever that means. While your stats are above average for MIT (believe it or not, most MIT applicants have not made USAMO since sophomore year), you need to stand out with your essays. If you're truly passionate about science and technology, put that passion in writing and show them that you are not just an "average asian" and that MIT would be the perfect place for your passion and talent to grow....
easier said than done, though.
anyway, good luck</p>
<p>Also, could someone suggest some matches and safeties? I plan on majoring in Econ, then going into either business or finance if that makes a difference. More reaches would also be helpful (can't hurt to try ;))</p>
<p>NYU Stern School of Business is excellent for business and easier to get in</p>
<p>Post closed, I'll make a new thread with this subject</p>
<p>University of Chicago.</p>