Ivy League Acceptance- Feel free to be critical!

Chance Me / Match Me!
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Hello All!
I’m new to college comp. I did a post earlier tonight, but didn’t include as much info, so I thought I would try again. Please be as critical as possible.

Junior, Prestigious (yet thoroughly public) school attendee

GPA: Unweighted: 3.98 /4 Weighted: 4.87/5
ACT: 30 (This is my first time taking it- will be taking it again next month- chillax)

White, Female. Middle-Class Income
Harvard Legacy
Cousin at Yale
(^^Do legacies even help?!?)

Class Rigor:

Started High School Early (8th Grade) with 3 classes (Spanish, Math, Science- all honors where applicable)

9th Grade- Doubled up on Bio + Chem- no one was allowed to skip to AP Chem or Bio as a freshman :frowning: + all honors where applicable

10th Grade- all honors where applicable, AP History of the Americas, AP Chem

11th Grade (now)- IB Diploma Program (7 college credits total, + theory of knowledge philosophy class, service project, and extended essay)

12th Grade (future)- Year 2 IB Diploma

Straight As in all, except for one -A (que triste)

Interests: I want to go into government science/ national security- with the Ivy League connection to government, I feel it would be useful to apply. I do have connections (I’ve heard this helps when it comes to government jobs- can anyone verify?)

Colleges of application: Princeton, Harvard, Yale, Duke, University of Chicago, Williams, Notre Dame (last 4 not Ivys, but love them to death), Amherst, William & Mary, Davidson.

Extra Curriculars:

Science Fair Kid- State awards (American Chemical Society Scholarship, Governor’s Thomas Edison Award , 1st place 2012, 3rd place 2011, etc).

School/Community Awards: Community Champion, Celebration of Excellence Student, Award for excellence in literature

School Extra Curriculars:
-NHS Member
-Psychology Club Founder + President
-Physics Club President
-Piano Club President
-Student Council Member
-STEM Sisters
-Medical Club
-Music for the Drama Department (I compose + have an album)
-Quiz Bowl Member (On TV for “The Brain Game” Competition)
-Teen Institute
-Science Olympiad

-Founder of an independent research group- created the first DHA-based algae biodiesel and currently am trying to sell to Exxon Mobil’s Algae Program. Recognized by state and international media cites/newspapers (I would list, but prefer to remain anonymous). Will be presenting to top scientists in Washington DC this April at the National Science Festival. Patent Pending- And yes, I am making money from this too-

Awards for that: VentureNEXT Student Scholarship Award, Commissioners Award (once again, awards from various newspapers, but I want to remain anonymous- you would know the media source if you heard it.)

Created a site for girls around the world interested in STEM- daily views from over 68 different countries with many well-know participants (Alyssa Carson or Physics Girl ring a bell?).

Spare Time: I have lectured at multiple schools and colleges about environmental impacts, met with government officials to discuss issues of environmental precautions (see city commissioner). Encourage girls in STEM, taught courses in basic chemistry and forensics.
-Looking at potential FBI work over the summer? Still up in the air. :confused:

Additional Stuff: Junior Pilot’s License, I do mountain climbing, have a song album on piano that I plan to include in applications. I volunteered at the local historical society, and have appeared in a historical documentary.

I speak Spanish- hola.

Confident in interviews, and I feel I could piece together a boss narrative essay- common apps are out too for 2017 graduates!

Thank you once again for taking the time to read this! Please feel free to be very critical. I know college apps can be super stressful, so hang in there- whatever happens, just remember you can find your own path!! (*cue “We’re all in this together”).
GOOD LUCK CLASS OF 2016 & 2017!!! STAY AWESOME!!!

Thank a bazillion!

~MCurie

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UPDATE:
With my IB Diploma Program, I will have a total of 13 college credits.

I plan to apply to Princeton, Yale, and Harvard, along with University of Chicago, William & Mary, Duke, Notre Dame, Williams, (Amherst?)

I have a cousin at Yale? If this helps?

The Algae thing- we have received a bunch of state-wide press and awards and present in DC at the national STEM festival this April. I have done multiple scientific lectures at colleges and schools, and do STEM outreach with young students on my own time.

I am in the process of selling this algae research to shell energy. (Fingers crossed!)

I have a bunch of local science fair awards and community achievement awards

I also acted in a documentary, and volunteer at the local historical society

I also started The New Age Girl’s Club for young girls in STEM online that has visitors from over 69 different countries

I speak Spanish. Hola.

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The cousin at Yale would help.

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Alright- thanks! This is good info to know.

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^ Cousins don’t help. Being a Harvard legacy does.

You need to (1) bring your standardized test scores up (they are below the 25th percentile for top schools, a big red flag, and (2) present yourself with a clear “narratige”. Right now you kind of have a laundry list of activities.

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Alright- thank you! I think I can easily connect things together- but good to know. Thanks again!

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Very unlikely. The ACT is too low and there’s no hook.

The legacy is a bit of a hook, but I don’t think will be enough unless there’s a building or two with your name on it.

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Nothing makes you really stand out.

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What would be some helpful “hooks”? I guess I don’t quite follow…

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^^ Nvm. Being a founder a small research company is pretty cool xD

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Yeah? Thanks! I was Hopi g that could overshadow the 30 ACT, but I still plan to take it again- thanks tho! :slight_smile:

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The research EC definitely helps. Everything else looks good but you need a 33+ ACT to be competitive.

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Cool- this is good stuff. I plan to take it again, but +33 is what I keep hearing. Thx!

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Okay I think I’m going to re-draft this post- thanks all for the major input!!

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Hi MCurie! After reading about all your impressive accolades and work, I think you’ll have a great chance at all the schools you’re considering.

Though I’m from Australia and therefore not entirely familiar with the US education system, people from my school who weren’t as impressive as you have been successful in getting into the ivy leagues (and they weren’t exactly adding to diversity - all female, most of them were white and had family incomes of about US$100,000). What I’ve learnt from speaking with the 2-3 lucky girls from my school that manage to get into the ivy leagues each year is that as long as your essay is brilliant, even slightly less impressive extracurriculars and/or grades are alright. So write some brilliant essays, try to get a 32 or higher in your ACTs, and you should be successful with at least 1 ivy league.

Sorry I couldn’t be of more help - I wish I knew more so that I can form a more valued and educated opinion. For example, I don’t actually know how difficult it is to be involved in extracurriculars in the USA when considering the number of opportunities available. As long as you show that you’ve done well and challenged yourself in academics and extracurriculars (which, from what I’ve read, I definitely think you have) relative to the number of opportunities presented to you, you’re all set for a future in a great college! :slight_smile:

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Everything looks competitive except for your ACT. Good work and good luck!

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Thank you @anxioussenior1 !!! Good luck to you too!!!

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@hiddenfalls thank you so so much for the feed back! Thanks for taking the time to read through all that!! And it sounds like you have an impressive track record as well!! Good luck, and hello from the US!! You got this!!

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@MCurie You’re very welcome! It was nice reading about your accomplishments - distracted me from all the months and months of waiting until mid/late March rolls by. And thank you for the luck! Good luck to you too, and maybe we’ll see each other at Princeton next year!

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How can you connect it all?