<p>Hi. So I don't really have a great idea about the places where I have a good chance of getting in. Could you help me?</p>
<p>I'm an African American, by the way. Also, the random *s in this post mean nothing and I don't know how they got there. >.></p>
<p>SAT: 2140 (first testing)
Critical Reading - 800
Mathematics - 660 (I'll be getting new scores on the 25th, which I expect will be higher)
* *Writing * 680 (I usually do really well on writing (76 on PSAT), but on my first testing, I didnt pay attention to time during the essay; so will probably improve by at least 50 points in future)</p>
<p>ACT Test Scores (first testing second testing on 27th)
* *English * 34
* *Mathematics * 28
* *Reading * 32
* *Science * 32
* *Writing * 33
* *Composite Score * 32</p>
<p>AP Scores: 5 in AP Euro, 7 in IB Economics (the rest aren't done till Senior Year in IB)</p>
<p>GPA: 4.75/5
Or 3.97/4</p>
<p>Rank: 13/117</p>
<p>Course Rigor:
I took the best classes whenever possible, which at my school means 3 honors classes in 8th grade, all but a few advanced honors classes in 9th grade, honors classes and 1 AP class in 10th grade
And in the 11th grade, I decided to become an IB Candidate, taking 3 HL courses, 1 SL, and the rest, Honors classes.
Senior year is even heavier. ^_^
I love it.</p>
<p>And I fit in some online honors classes to expand my class-taking capacities.</p>
<p>ECs: Not as great as I want because my opportunities weren't pristine. Nothing interesting is particularly close and my parents don't like to drive around much for me. It was a struggle to get what I did get. Currently, I focus on working at McDonalds, which is much closer to my home.</p>
<ul>
<li>NJROTC Academic Team Commander - Sop, Jun years</li>
<li>NJROTC Physical Fitness Team Commander (for proper stereotype deflection) - Junior year</li>
<li>NJROTC Public Affairs Department Head - Same as Academic</li>
<li>" " Chief Editor of Unit Newsletter - Same as Academic...</li>
<li>Military Ball Planning Committee Member</li>
<li>Track (Distance running) - 8-12 grades (varsity, state-level)</li>
<li>15 hours of community service per school year at a variety of places</li>
<li>Summer job at McDonalds before Junior and Sophomore Years, 50+ hours a week</li>
<li>School job at McDonalds during Senior year (and late Junior Year), 32+ hours a week</li>
</ul>
<p>ROTC is my main EC. I didn't plan it this way (I was initially forced into it by my parents, though now I've come to love it), but with all the individual teams and activities that comprise the program, it actually turned into a great way to obtain leadership positions. I may or may not be involved in ROTC programs in college.</p>
<p>However, because my IB program participation takes up so much of my school schedule, I haven't been able to continue NJROTC for my Senior year (participation in NJROTC requires that I take Naval Science IV HN that year). I don't think I would have left my school to do IB if I knew that this would happen. Regardless, I now focus my free time on work so that I can complement my parents' earnings, as they are going through some hardship right now. I will run Track again this Spring.</p>
<p>I also put a lot of time into activism for the gays at my school, and that's really my proudest accomplishment. I was able to force the approval of the founding of our school's GSA (and ensuring that its name unambiguously asserts a pro-gay position), and change my ROTC Unit's policy on same-sex couples allowed at the formal military ball. All while facing the vigorous wrath of my unsupportive parents.</p>
<p>I also really, really, really love psychology and related sciences (like neuroscience). I've studied through many advanced textbooks, academic handbooks, and theoretical works on the subject. I've also devoted a lot of time to philosophy, with psychology really complementing my studies (for example, I use the data on the psychological basis of value to draw conclusions about what matters and explore the fact-value distinction).</p>
<p>But there really hasn't been any way of putting this interest into anything more than a really obsessive hobby. I don't have the resources to play scientist in recordable ways. >.>So I might just have to hide what probably is the biggest thing about me and focus on something more hook-worthy?</p>
<p>Awards:
Keystone Award in Social Studies (highest honor for the subject at my school)
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry JROTC Award
Letter in Track Team
Highest GPA on Track Team Award all 3 years
National Merit Semi-Finalist (I will become a Finalist)
National Achievement Semi-Finalist (I will become a Finalist)</p>
<p>So...What am I missing?</p>
<p>Right, the colleges I'm applying to.
Yale (possibly SCEA?)
Duke (possibly ED?)
Brown (ED?)
Johns Hopkins / Vanderbilt (ED?)
Ohio State (safety?)</p>
<p>I should have waited for my scores to get back, but that would be too late, and I am feeling anxious. I need to decide how to use my November 1st. Is it worth giving up the boost for ED to Duke to go all-in for Yale? I know I'm not a particularly strong applicant and that only my URM status keeps me in play, but I'm not sure how to play my cards. Any advice?</p>