<p>...so I need you to tell me which colleges and universities base admission more on academic merit than on the former.</p>
<p>Usually public institutions are very numbers-driven. In addition, CalTech and Cooper Union are, I believe, very numbers-driven.</p>
<p>Places like HPYS and other highly competitive private college expect strong stats plus strong ECs, and have no problems getting students like that.</p>
<p>I know that. Concerning Public institutions: How about the very good public universities? I'm talking about UIUC, UMAA, UVA, Amherst, and the UCs? Do I have a chance with those if I can demonstrate that I haven't really taken part in public activities, but am an interesting person anyway?</p>
<p>pinkyeti, I was in a very similar situation with you but I decided to "screw the admissions process and go early entrance to a less selective institution" partially because my Asperger's Syndrome pretty much prevented me from being well-rounded with lots of ECs.</p>
<p>If you like reading, like a lot of people without a lot of ECs, mention that. It is a very valuable investment of time. Also, note that most colleges now care about well-rounded student bodies more than well-rounded students. So if you are unidirectional, concentrate on your one interest - you don't have to be well-rounded.</p>
<p>Many public universities use an admissions index based on high school GPA and SAT scores. People with an index above a certain number are auto-admits.</p>
<p>I would also think that less prestigious private schools (e.g. UChicago) aren't as focused on extra-curriculars if you have very good stats. Ivies care so much about extra-curriculars because so many qualified students apply that out of these students, they select the ones who they think would well-represent their student bodies the best. But the applicant calibre of less selective universities could improve and they may be willing to take a student with stellar stats but few ECs.</p>
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In addition, CalTech and Cooper Union are, I believe, very numbers-driven.
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<p>Pretty much everyone who goes to Caltech gets almost-perfect SAT's, lots of 5's on APs, and stellar grades. While Caltech does not care about well-roundedness, one will need research or high scores on nationally recognized (e.g. AMCs/AIME) math competitions to distinguish oneself.</p>