Is it too late to shape myself for HYPMS?

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>I don’t chance people simply because there exists no set of criteria to go by. But I will say this. Do you have a passion for something? Because that’s what makes people stand out. That’s what makes a student unique. Thousands of other students are going to apply in a few months, and each of them will be saying “I love learning and knowledge.” That’s not enough to cut it. Do you have a passion for something specific? For instance, “I love business so much that I started a company and now I’m making $100 grand a year.” Or, “I love neurobiology so much that I have interned at a lab and have a publication coming up.” Or, “I love Dostoyevsky so much that I can extensively quote his works.” Do you see what I mean? </p>

<p>This passion makes you an interesting person. And these universities like interesting people because they add to their university and it is likely that, if given this extraordinary opportunity of admission to these top schools, these students will continue to pursue their passion, thereby enriching the life and reputation of the school. Princeton gave each of us an opportunity. And for four years, we will use this opportunity to make Princeton a better, more enriching place. That is the essence of these top schools. </p>

<p>The reason why I say high scores do not matter is because, although you need to have a certain level of score, scores do little to predict how you will contribute in the future. For instance, if Princeton accepted only kids with 4.0 GPAs and 2400 SATs, this school would be a very boring place. You would have people who learn to regurgitate facts - these people do not have their own ideas. Having your own ideas is very important to a top-tier education. For instance, you might say, “Hey, I think the facts presented in this book that you assigned us to read in class directly contradicts the principles of a liberal democracy. The author was misguided in writing it and he contradicts himself.” That is magnitudes better than regurgitating the facts of the book in class. That’s why you need a certain level of grades and also another dimension to your person.</p>

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<p>ecouter11 -</p>

<p>Thank you sooo much for your views - I think you might have summed up the entirety of my doubts’ answers in your post. </p>

<p>I read that if you take the ACT, SAT Subject tests are not needed. So should I still take them?</p>

<p>I don’t have a school counselor, and I mentioned this to Princeton University by e-mail, and they said a member of the school’s senior staff can be your counselor. I think I’ll go with the Vice-Principal.</p>

<p>My school is a CBSE school. So, that means I have no AP and no IB courses. What do I do now?</p>

<p>Finally what’s the difference between a weighted and unweighted GPA?</p>

<p>Believe me, I have toured the web for answers, and yours was the most beautiful and clear among them all…</p>

<p>Thank you :)</p>

<p>P.S British colleges are really hostile to Indian CBSE students, so I tend to stay away.
This really upsets me because getting into a British college like Cambridge is easier than getting into Harvard. Plus the fees are MUCH lower.</p>

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<p>93tiger16 -</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice! :)</p>

<p>I DO have these passions. And I’ll do my best to add to them. </p>

<p>I think it was Princeton Dean of admissions Jane Rapeleye who said - “We look for depth, not breadth”</p>

<p>I guess I should dig deep into my gold mine, instead of opening up a hundred shallow copper mines. (Horrible analogy, I know) :)</p>

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<p>Aspirationist:</p>

<p>Only Yale, I think allows students to skip SAT2s for the ACT. The other schools of HYPSM and certainly most elite schools in the US require two SAT2 subjects, so I would strongly advise you take them. </p>

<p>Make sure your VP knows you well. I don’t have an official college counselor at my school either, but I know a guy who helped me adjust to the school, class arrangements etc. so I’ll be asking him to fill that part out. For the School Profile, I’d advise you read up on samples so you can advise/help your VP complete it. </p>

<p>CBSE is a very rigorous program, I think. My parents both studied with that curriculum, so if you can successfully retain good marks and score well on your examinations, you should be fine there. If you want, you can ask your school to help you register for and take AP exams <a href=“Get the Most Out of AP – AP Students | College Board”>Get the Most Out of AP – AP Students | College Board; . They will have to collaborate with college board. These exams are comparatively easy, but you should familiarize yourself with the format. Resources for these exams can be found on the internet. If you’re a mostly science student, you might want to self study a few science and math APs like: Calculus AB/BC, Statistics, Physics B or C, Biology etc. Conversely, you can study for humanities APs. The full list of exams offered is on the Collegeboard website. </p>

<p>An unweighted GPA is basically your absolute marks. So, if you go to a school where 90+ is an A = 4.0, B+ = 85+ = 3.5, B= 80+ = 3.0, C+ = 2.5 = 75+ and your marks are:</p>

<p>93, 85, 78, 80, 91, this translates into: 4.0, 3.5, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0
Adding and averaging these marks gives you a a 3.4 total GPA. </p>

<p>Now, in some schools- taking AP, IB or Honours classes results in the student getting the 4.0, 3.0 etc. grade + a 1.0 mark because the course is difficult.</p>

<p>So, supposing the course you earned 93 in was an AP course, you would get a 5.0, because it’s an A grade and because it’s an advanced course. The advanced course you hypothetically earned 78 in would result in a 2.5 + 1.0 for a 3.5 mark in that course.</p>

<p>Then, again - the marks are averaged and you get a weighted GPA.</p>

<p>I agree with you about the UK. They are somewhat racist there and that’s why I decided not to apply for Cambridge. However, you shouldn’t let jerks affect you or your career and if you like and can afford the programs at Cambridge or Oxford or wherever, certainly apply.</p>

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<p>Hey man, you still have 2 years… Don’t worry about it. I just suggest you to do something you enjoy and keep high gpa.</p>

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<p>Read this:</p>

<p>[Applying</a> Sideways | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways]Applying”>Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions)</p>

<p>It’s the best advice anyone can give you.</p>

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<p>To OP, while your quest for knowledge is noble, you could find this same atmosphere at hundreds of universities. What I was trying to point out with my question is that many students want an Ivy League education for no other reason than prestige. You need to know that these schools will probe you and ask what it is about their individual institutions that attracts you. You need to have well thought out and specific answers if you want to stand a chance at these or any other highly competitive colleges.</p>

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<p>Thx @PsychoDad10 and aleaiactaest</p>

<p>The material and opinions were very helpful… :)</p>