<p>@anniesunshine - I know you are looking for confidence boosters, but I have to say anyone that tells you that you have a 90% chance at UPenn and 100%(!!!) at NU doesn’t know college admissions very well. While I think your chances are good at both, clearly students with your type of credentials do get turned down as well. Again, these final decisions are out of your control. All you control is presenting the very best application you possibly can.</p>
<p>Personally, given your list, Rutgers doesn’t seem like a very good match. For sure check them out and see what you think. But I can’t see, personally, any compelling reason to choose Rutgers over your own state school. I have never heard of Rutgers being mentioned in the same breath with Michigan or Berkeley or even Wisconsin, much less an Ivy. I have no problem with Rutgers, but in all the years I have been around colleges and on here, it just isn’t a school that enters the conversations at that level, at least in my experience.</p>
<p>@fallenchemist Wait, okay, I’m pretty sure I mixed Rutgers up with another school (it was late at night when I posted!), but was it Rutgers that was invited to join the Ivy League but rejected? Or is that just an urban myth? Hmm hmm…</p>
<p>By the way, what is your opinion on private college application consultants/tutors? I know my friend has one, and I’m debating whether I need one as well. But I feel like I’m off to a decently good start (at least I have my college list somewhat prepared!), plus I’d much rather save my money rather than spend it.</p>
<p>I am deleting the most recent posts about anniesunshine and being Asian. They are crossing the line about being rude to a fellow member of CC and the discussion about stereotyping is taking this too far off topic. The main topic is her asking for advice on her applications. To the extant that being Asian plays a role, fine. But we are not going to get into a discussion about Asian stereotyping on this thread. There have been plenty of threads about that and people are certainly welcome to start a new one if they wish.</p>
<p>@anniesunshine - I think that may be true about Rutgers a long time ago (1950’s), I am not sure either. There seem to be differing accounts. But remember that, technically, the Ivy League is an athletic conference which, according to most reports, came under unofficial use in 1937 and became official (this is easily verifiable fact) in 1954. So I can imagine a scenario where Rutgers and other schools might have exchanged a conversation or two in the early 1950’s about being part of this athletic conference. As it turned out it is also easy to equate the league as it is currently constituted with high level academics. But it does explain some of the schools being less like the others, such as Dartmouth being more like an LAC and Cornell being much younger than the others and larger, having state components to it. So it is good to remember the context of the phrase from time to time.</p>
<p>As far as private consultants, I suppose it all depends on how much you are paying and if they are any good. I certainly wouldn’t spend a lot of money on them personally. I think there is little they can tell you that you cannot get on your own and from CC. Having someone that is good at helping with essays can be valuable, but there should be teachers and others that can help you with that for free. I don’t have any personal experience with them, so I am not sure I can or should say too much. Maybe others can comment more about this if they have in fact tried them.</p>
<p>Perhaps also in-state publics with big merit scholarships as well.</p>
<p>If there is no way to afford a school (i.e. those schools with no large-enough merit scholarships), then the school is not worth applying to. Academically, you appear well prepared for any US university, including the elite ones (although admissions-wise, they are reach for everyone), but you do not want to burden yourself with $200,000+ in undergraduate debt, especially if you want to go to medical school which will likely involve another $300,000+ in debt.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus Oh! I forgot why I decided not to list my safeties… But they are University of Minnesota (in state) and
University of Wisconsin Madison (I get to pay in state tuition because of some cool agreement thing). So even if I don’t get a full ride to them, (at least hoping for an offer from one, though), I can pay the in state tuition which is definitely okay for us, as compared to 50k tuition and 10k in extra stuff, like plane tickets.
Thanks for the links! Will keep those for future reference :)</p>
<p>@fallenchemist Wow, that’s all information I definitely did not know. The Ivy League was athletics based? That clears up some discrepancies amongst its members. Thanks also for your insight on private consultants - I read recently that around 25% of students have used a private consultant or company, which kind of freaked me out a bit. But honestly, all of the information is really online, and I’ve got a lot of great tips already!</p>
<p>But if anyone else has had experiences with private consultants, please chime in! :)</p>
<p>@anniesunshine : The title of your post reveals a bit about your personality. You are not just another asian, so hold your chin up. However you need to realize that the stats that you post screams of being “typical asian”. </p>
<p>Hidden beneath this however are some gems that any admissions officer would love to learn more about. The fact that you are a professional model, or your love of Music therapy started your interest in medicine. Salsa and ballet dancing, what an interesting mix. Speak about these (interesting) things in your application, and avoid reciting the standard blah blah achievements that every other Asian has. Best of luck</p>
<p>@sgopal2 I hope you noticed that my title was actually a bit sarcastic (in a good way!) - this discussion topic is full of high achieving students, with amazing accomplishments. I wanted to reflect that in my title, and thus decided to name myself as “Just Another Asian.” Of course, I also wish I set myself apart (although my stats really don’t ) by my EC’s - and I definitely will take your advice to heart and elaborate upon them as best as I can!</p>
<p>annie, you said your are seriously considering BS-MD programs. Do check Case Western’s Pre-Professional Scholar Program (<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Case Western Reserve University”>Undergraduate Admission | Case Western Reserve University). I think your research internship at Mayo will make you a strong applicant (plus your high stats). It is common for Case to give $20,000 to $30,000 merit scholarships to admitted students. The PPSP for medical school does not require MCAT. I think you have good chances if you are really passionate about medicine. </p>
<p>If applying for WUSTL, it’s important to show a lot of interests in the school. A lot of “overqualified” students are wait listed there but they get into HYPSM. It is a very good school for pre-med students but it is hard for its undergraduates to get into its medical school. Beware of Emory’s weeding out of pre-med students.</p>
<p>Personally I do not like to be involved with the “chance” forum but your title: “Just another Asian” caught my attention. I know how it is to be surrounded by the super -high-achieving Asian students. You should establish your own identity. Know yourself truly, stand firm on your faith, and you’ll be able to appreciate those who are better than you without losing self-confidence and enjoy being who you are.</p>
<p>@Bamboolong I actually was looking to Case Western’s BS/MD program, but the only thing is that it’s in Ohio, which isn’t near any cities where I can expand upon my modeling. I’m debating whether I should have that still be a factor in my deciding a college list, as it really is limiting the colleges I can consider (including WUSTL )</p>
<p>Emory weeds out pre-med students… What? I didn’t know that! Can you tell me more? And my title is more of a lightly sarcastic remark than a reflection of how I view myself - I’m hoping I can set myself apart!</p>
<p>Thanks for chancing me! I agree with a lot of what yodude51 said, you are not “just another asian”, and thinking of yourself that way can’t be anything but bad for you and your application. Focus on what makes you different. You skipped a grade, have a perfect GPA and WGPA, and interesting EC’s. The way you took your musical ability and used it to help others by playing at the Mayo Clinic, at church, and teaching piano means you don’t just play music, you use it to make a big difference. Your list is feasible, I would add more reaches. College admissions at elite schools is a lottery, and the more tickets you buy the more chance you have. You also seem like the person who would get into a couple ivys, maybe even HYP.</p>
<p>All your “Okays” are definitely matches/safeties. Your reaches are feasible, and you should add more.</p>
<p>Don’t include 6 recs, and don’t include those ECs you were hesitant about because they are nowhere close to as strong as your other ECs and would just distract from them.</p>
<p>Keep modeling will help pay for your education cost. Since you like U Penn, why not look at Bryn Mawr? It offers merit scholarships without extra application. Great academics (excellent for pre-med students) and convenient location. Opportunities to take courses at Penn and Haverford. Yes, it’s a women’s college but it is very close to Haverford. I think you are a very strong applicant for Bryn Mawr. It may not be your top choice but it is worth your consideration. Mount Holyoke is known its sciences and offers big merit scholarships, but the location may not meet your criteria.</p>
<p>@PMLAPA Thanks for chancing me too! I actually was feeling a bit sarcastic when I wrote the title, and thought of “Just Another Asian” as a catchy title for this thread I hope I’m not just another Asian - although my stats may go in that way, I’m going to make sure that my ECs make me stand out.</p>
<p>Wow, you think I could aim for HYP? I guess I could always give them a chance - either way, all I’m doing is just spending a little extra in application fees! I will definitely expand my reaches to work in some more lottery tickets (a amazing way of stating it, by the way!)</p>
<p>Also, I’m definitely NOT sending 6 recs to each school, haha! I have 6 teachers total who I can count on to write great recs, but I have 2 for sure that are the best. I heard somewhere that you shouldn’t send the same recommendations to each school? I’m not sure if that’s true, and what is against it, but I made sure to have 6 just in case!</p>
) by my EC’s - and I definitely will take your advice to heart and elaborate upon them as best as I can!</p>
)</p>
I actually was feeling a bit sarcastic when I wrote the title, and thought of “Just Another Asian” as a catchy title for this thread