Long List, Hoping to Narrow Down

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>WARNING: LONG POST</p>

<p>I haven't chosen a major yet, but I'm narrowing it down between linguistics/foreign languages, physics/astronomy, or engineering with a likely music minor (possibly double major depending on where I go). List is VERY long right now, but hopefully I can narrow it down after this proves to me that I have little-to-no chance at some of these schools:</p>

<p>(in somewhat of an alphabetical order)
Bennington College
Caltech
Case Western Reserve University
Columbia
Darthmouth
University of Rochester
Olin College of Engineering
Harvard
Johns Hopkins
Lawrence University
MIT
Middlebury College
Northwestern
Oberlin
Princeton
Rutgers (New Brunswick campus if that matters)
UC Berkeley
UC Irvine
UC San Diego
University of Michigan
University of Southern California
Vassar College
Yale
Cambridge University (BIG maybe)</p>

<p>School Stuff:</p>

<p>-Racially-mixed male attending a decent/kinda below average public high school in Northern California
-GPA: 4.0 UW (all of high school)
Freshman Year: 4.0 W
Sophomore Year: 4.125 W
Junior Year: 4.83 W
-Rank: 1-4/470ish (We stopped ranking two years ago, but I'm one of the few people to have straight A's in practically all AP/Honors classes)
-Took most challenging courses available during all years
Freshman Year:
English I
P.E.
Wind Ensemble
Geometry
Spanish II
Biology</p>

<p>Sophomore Year:
English II
P.E.
Wind Ensemble
Algebra II/Trigonometry
Spanish III
Honors Chemistry
World History</p>

<p>Junior Year:
Honors English III
Wind Ensemble
Honors Pre-Calculus
AP Spanish IV (AP Spanish Language)
Honors Physics
AP U.S. History</p>

<p>Senior Year (Probable):
AP English IV (AP English Literature)
Wind Ensemble
AP Statistics
Honors Spanish V (may have to take at a community college due to a scheduling conflict)
AP Biology
AP Art History (may end up with AP Psychology instead if schedule will not permit)
AP U.S. Government & Politics/AP Microeconomics (each class is one semester long)</p>

<p>SAT: 2060 (680CR, 700M, 680W without prep)
Will likely leave off of application and submit ACT instead unless I can raise to 2250/2300+.</p>

<p>ACT: 33 (33 English, 32 Math, 34 Reading, 33 Science without prep)
Retaking in September, hoping for 34/35+.</p>

<p>SAT Subject Tests:</p>

<p>Biology M: 720
Chemistry: 700
Spanish: 710
U.S. History: 750
Math II: 800</p>

<p>Considering taking Spanish w/Listening, Literature, and Physics to round out/bring scores up in humanities and sciences.</p>

<p>APs:</p>

<p>None allowed Freshman/Sophomore Years</p>

<p>Junior Year:
AP U.S. History (5)
AP Spanish Language (5) (non-native/heritage speaker)
AP Calculus AB (5) (self-study)
AP Music Theory (5) (both subscores: 5) (self-study)</p>

<p>Senior Year:
All listed in schedule.
Self-studies:
AP Calculus BC
AP Chinese Language and Culture (taken courses at community college, non-native/hertiage speaker)
AP Macroeconomics (depending upon college choices)
AP Environmental Science (depending upon major)
AP Physics B & C (depending upon major)
AP Computer Science A (depending upon major)</p>

<p>May add/remove depending upon where I end up applying and for what.</p>

<p>ECs:
Deficient in community service (30 hours, maybe)</p>

<p>Clubs at my school don't do anything and leadership roles are simply a popularity contest, so I dropped most of them.</p>

<p>School Marching Band section leader (this year)
School Wind Ensemble section leader (since freshman year)
1st chair in district honor band (last 5 years, middle and high school)
1st chair in county honor band (last 2 years, high school)
3rd chair in state honor band (this year)
1st chair in state honor orchestra (this year)
1st chair in outside band ensemble (last 2 years)
1st chair in outside orchestra (this year, and likely next year as well)
1st place in 3 or so local competitions.</p>

<p>In all, about 25+ hours devoted to music each week. (Will likely send in supplements where applicable.)</p>

<p>Letters of Rec. will probably be from APUSH and AP Spanish teachers, possibly with band director/EC orchestra director if necessary/applicable.</p>

<p>I mainly need to know which schools are simply impossible for me to get into, as this is as short as I have been able to get my list so far. Since CommonApp opens tomorrow, I want to know where I shouldn't bother wasting money. At this point, Berkeley and Michigan are I think my top choices, save the Ivies, but I'm not able to judge how competitive my application is. Thank you so much everyone!</p>

2

<p>Bump…Anyone?</p>

3

<p>What is your race?</p>

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<p>I probably won’t put it on applications, but I’m half Japanese and half white (Polish, Italian, Hungarian, Romanian, Czechoslovakian).</p>

5

<p>Did you drop all of your EC’s but band related things? I’d say if you had a few more decent EC’s you’d be competitive for all of the schools on the list with a great essay and recs. Obviously the top schools are hard for everyone, but your stats are in the ballpark.</p>

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<p>pixels: For the most part, yes. I still belong to clubs at my school (multicultural, French, and mock UN) but don’t have any leadership roles. Futhermore, they have no point and do nothing at/for our school. I realized this year that to remain competitive for music I would have to devote much more of my time to practicing, ergo few ECs. I have done 10+ years of gymnastics in the past, and though I stopped 3 years ago, I plan to restart this month. I’m not sure if that makes any difference, but thanks for the reply!</p>

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<p>Yeah, it definitely does make a difference. Gymnastics is a good one, and you can list others that you said you participated in, just so you don’t have only 1 EC. If you do that and write a GREAT essay, I don’t see why you couldn’t get into any of those schools.</p>

8

<p>Do you plan to study or otherwise pursue music in college?</p>

<p>I don’t see why you need more activities if you focus so much (and do so well with) music. Colleges aren’t looking for a laundry list of activities. An application showing depth should be fine.</p>

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<p>I do plan to at least minor in music and will definitely continue through college. I may end up starting gymnastics again simply for the exercise and to be in shape for college. I never did it competitively, only recreationally, so if it doesn’t take up too much of my time I’ll likely start again. Whether I indicate on my application or not is a different story though, as I may or may not continue it in college. Thanks for your input!</p>

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<p>I’ve got here three points.

  1. You really need Community service.
    Community service is emphasized by every schools. 40 hours graduation requirement is not enough. 100~200 hrs is a necessity and over it is recommended. It has to be ideally consistent throughout your high school years too. Might turn out to be a disadvantage even if you were to miraculously get 200 hours during this summer -as it wasn’t consistent.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Your Standardized test scores aren’t stellar.
I see you have a great GPA. And I’d say that is awesome. However, your SAT and SAT II scores don’t really follow up to your GPA. SAT should be over 2300 for any Ivy Leagues -especially when you’re emphasizing your “nerdy” aspect. Your subject test scores also should be over 760 to prove your knowledge, and low 700s won’t really serve as a benefit.</p></li>
<li><p>Your activities are very narrow unless you’re going for music major.
All your ECs are geared towards musics major. Problem is, you aren’t very decorated in that musics direction -with not many awards/distinctions. That means your band activities won’t help too much. And you have nothing else to fill the vacuum.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I perceive you want to push your academic aspect of your application. However, GPA and curriculum alone aren’t enough. And don’t say you didn’t have any clubs or leadership positions available; everytihng is up to you to carve out. If clubs don’t do anything, you could go in and shape it into a functional and competitive one. That is not only academics but leadership itself.</p>

<p>So overall, with your lack of ECs including community service, leadership and the lack of proof for your academic achievements -with the low SAT II scores- I must say that Ivies and any of that tier are dream (reach) schools. Johns Hopkins is also a reach school, as well are the UC schools -though these may be easier.</p>

<p>*would you mind chancing me back? I will be posting mine in a day or two. Thanks!</p>

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<p>i think u can get in2 all of these skools! espacially prnceton cuz i have a 3.6 weighted gpa, 27 ACT, skool president, and ECs are jv cheer (hopefully being recruited), sadd, gsa, and reading stories 2 my grandma 2x per wk in the summer 4 2 hrs and im prbably gonna get in2 prnceton and maybe harvard standford and yale and definitely the easy ones that every1 gets in2 like dartmouth and cornell, so u def should be able to.</p>

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<p>this has to be a joke haha^</p>

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<p>Wow…Please don’t take this as an insult or anything, but you honestly don’t seem all that focused right now. You provided a fairly standard list of “top” colleges that really have nothing whatsoever in common except that US News says they’re good schools. Your possible majors are also completely unrelated. You say you’re interested in science but have no extracurricular experience in that area. I actually think it’s good that you’re so dedicated to music–colleges like to see commitment and focus–but you haven’t demonstrated the level of talent that would turn it into a “hook” for college.</p>

<p>Now for the schools:
*Bennington: Jazz band only, likely fewer than 5% of students are science majors; no engineering. Safety.
*Caltech: Band and other music activities available, but I doubt they even offer music as a minor. Reach for anyone; ACT is in range but you’d probably need more science-related activities.
*Case: Strong in music, engineering and science. Academic match based on ACT.
*Columbia: Reach for anyone. Engineering available; strong music program.
*Dartmouth: Reach for anyone but ACT in range. Majors in engineering and science but not music available; music-related activities available.
*Rochester: Very strong in sciences and music. Low match/safety.
*Olin: Top engineering programs but no music. Don’t even bother applying unless you’re 100% sure you want to be an engineer; the application process seems very time-consuming and somewhat weird.
*Harvard: High reach for anyone. You’re not in a bad position academically but your ECs aren’t there.
*Johns Hopkins: Strong programs in sciences, including engineering. I don’t think they have a major or minor in music although they do have music activities. Match.
*Lawrence: Tiny, remote college in Wisconsin unlike your other colleges, which are universities. Great for music but no engineering and not great for science. Safety school.
*MIT: Doubt they even have a music major. Extremely high reach for anyone; not feasible for you without science ECs.
*Middlebury: Great for languages; not so much for science. No music or engineering major. Match.
*Northwestern: Strong programs in science, engineering and music. High match.
*Oberlin: Outstanding for music and pretty good for science; but no engineering. Very different in terms of campus culture from the other schools on your list. Seems like a match admissions-wise unless the music program is extra-selective.
*Princeton: High match for anyone. Offers engineering but no music major.
*Rutgers: Great science/engineering; no music major. Probably safety.
*UCB: Great for engineering; no music major. Couldn’t find ACT range; match based on SAT. Not sure if you’d get in, I’m really not very familiar with UCs.
*UCI: Engineering and sciences offered but not music major. Low match/safety?
*UCSD: Great science/engineering, no music major. Low match?
*Michigan: Great for engineering, music and science. I’m thinking low match/safety OOS.
*USC: Great for engineering and music major available. Match based on ACT/GPA.
*Vassar: No music or engineering major and not especially strong in sciences. Match.
*Yale: High reach for anyone. Engineering available; very strong in music.</p>

<p>Unless you have a thing for LACs, I’d suggest keeping only Case, Rochester, Northwestern, Michigan and USC. Maybe keep UCI and UCSD if you need in-state options for financial reasons and can live without majoring in music, Oberlin for the sake of the conservatory and/or Yale as a reach. Eliminate the others. Consider adding Carnegie Mellon University (very strong in both sci/engineering and music), Boston University, Vanderbilt and Rice.</p>

<p>Instead of adding random new clubs, continue focusing on music. Apply for national music awards, even if they’re small. Start your own little band or set yourself up as a solo act and perform at weddings, coffee shops and local events, especially music festivals. Practice a lot and get to be amazing at one or two pieces which you can record and send in with your application to catch band directors’ eyes (ears?). If your worried about community service, tie it in to music: teach music to inner-city kids or, if you want to go big, organize a concert or CD for charity. Maybe sign up for one science-related club or internship to show you have a serious interest in it. Don’t bother retaking the SAT; your outstanding ACT will be enough to meet entrance requirements. Don’t even send your SAT.</p>

<p>If you’re seriously interested in science, I would suggest applying to colleges as a potential music major, then minoring or double-majoring in science or engineering, building up a resume in that area and attending a top grad school. Good luck!</p>

14

<p>Thanks everyone for the replies. I’ll take all of them with a grain of salt though. :wink: I really do appreciate the time everyone took to respond, so thank you again! I think I’ve decided to try to add some sort of science EC. I was thinking of starting a school club, but my school is a bit stringent with the requirements (ex. “The club must have a petition with names and signatures of at least 35 members before a charter will be granted,” when no one really wants to join clubs that do actual work :/). Otherwise, I’ve looked into some research/engineering oportunities and internships in my area that hopefully would boost my resume. I also realized I left a few things off of my original post, so:</p>

<p>-runner-up in county science fair (would have gone to state, but partner was too young to be eligible)
-will be performing in a solo charity benefit recital in Carnegie Hall in summer 2013 (won’t have taken place by the time I send in applications, so probably can’t list I’m assuming?)
-several music festivals/state and national adjudications, both in solo and ensemble
-semi-professional gigs with local ensembles</p>

<p>Not that it matters much at this point though. This is just sort of my reference for remembering a lot of things to write on college applications, though if anyone would still care to reply, feel free to! :wink: Thanks again everyone for all your help.</p>

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<p>Adding on for my own reference:</p>

<p>-Miscellaneous school music/academic awards
-Tutored/tutoring underclassmen in various subjects
-Started (with a few friends) a free program at my former elementary school to give kids a headstart on learning foreign languages. Between all of us, we’re currently teaching Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Mandarin, and Japanese. We’re trying to get our middle school to let them test out of basic Language 1 courses and start Language 2 courses (at least for Spanish and French, since they don’t offer the others). Eventually, it’d be great if the schools could also offer some of the other languages, since they are offered in AP (even though that would probably require a lot of effort on everyone’s part, especially since our high school has dropped all except Spanish and French too.) (I don’t really know how I left this off…too much on my mind lately I guess)</p>

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<p>The activities you left off definitely improve your chances although it wouldn’t hurt to get a few more music-related honors. And you’re right to take what we say with a grain of salt, although just to let you know my information about all those colleges comes from the Fiske Guide and the lists of majors and activities in the College Board’s College Handbook. At the very least I would advise you to rule out any schools that don’t offer a major in music, or you won’t come across as all that serious about it… I would also add that you should consider contacting the band directors of your top schools, the same way athletes contact coaches to try to get “recruited”, and consider sending in a recording as a supplementary material.</p>

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<p>mmmgirl: Thanks again for the additional advice! I’m definitely sending in a supplement, my teacher and I already know what I’ll be putting on it, when we’re recording, etc. and I’ve already e-mailed some of the music directors at the schools. I’ve definitely been able to eliminate some of the schools based on your info, so thank you again!</p>

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<p>Regarding engineering vs. liberal arts, there are some very good liberal arts schools (including Oberlin) that participate in a 3/5 (I think) LA/Engineering program. I don’t know all the details, and you’d have to research it, but if you are accepted into one of these programs you do your first years (again, I think three but don’t quote me) at a liberal arts college, including some basic math and science courses and assuming you don’t screw up you are then guaranteed admission to an engineering school. Wish I had more info but I’d wager that if you posted an inquiry on CC, people would know.</p>

<p>That being said, as to Oberlin they have a conservatory music program. On the one hand, sounds like you might well be qualified for it, but based on your interests not sure being in a conservatory program would be for you. Don’t know how much music you can do there without being at the conservatory.</p>

<p>In terms of standardized tests, your SAT II scores are OK, but not up to snuff for the top tier of schools. Your AP scores on the other hand are great, and your Junior year GPA is likewise impressive. If you are just hitting your stride now, and there’s a reason for the upward trajectory, you will definitely want to highlight that in your applications.</p>

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<p>OneToughMommy: Thanks for reminding me! I keep meaning to look into such programs, but everytime I log onto a computer, I forget. I’m checking right now.</p>

<p>In terms of scores, I’m retaking the ACT in September, hoping for an extra point or two, and the SAT in October. My first time was the day after a late concerto concert that ended around 11:30 so hopeuflly it’ll go better this time. And then I’ll be taking SAT IIs in Physics and Literature in November (and maybe Spanish w/listening) and aiming for 760+ on both.</p>

<p>Lastly, my GPA should be even higher this year because I’ll (hopefully) have a zero period AP/honors class, which I haven’t been able to do before. Also, in previous years, I wasn’t able to take many, if any, AP/honors classes as an underclassman, so I’ve made due with what I have. Thanks for all the advice regarding everything everyone; it’s made things a bit clearer for me, though I still don’t know exactly what to major it. Of course, I’ll see what the future has in store and with some luck I’ll know what to do. Thanks again!</p>

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<p>(forgot to add into above post)</p>

<p>I’ll be planning to apply to my safety schools EA for as many as possible, since my current test scores should hopefully be good enough. Then I’ll be doing RD for the others, since it’ll give me more time to perfect my music supplement and improve my test scores.</p>