Hello! I am a high school Junior, and am struggling to figure out which schools would be best for me to apply to for early and regular decision. I am a US permanent resident (I have Korean citizenship), and am currently attending a top 10 boarding school in Massachusetts.
For the past 2 years, my grades have been fairly consistent, averaging around the 93-94 mark with the following courses: Freshman Year:
- Asian History
- Algebra II Honors
- Honors Physics (I took the AP Physics 1 test)
- Spanish 3
- English
Sophomore Year:
- AP Chemistry
- Precalculus Honors
- Spanish 4
- English
- Ethics
However, once I got to my junior year, I found a lot of my classes far more challenging, and thus my grades have been dropping. This fall, I received a 91.6 average, which dropped to a 91.4 later in the winter term. I am currently taking:
- AP BC Calculus
- APUSH
- English
- AP Biology
- AP Studio Art
- Molecular Biology Research (a post-AP/college course)
I have been quite worried about my lower grades this year, especially with application season starting soon. I know it is usually a red flag to have lower grades your junior year, but given the tougher course load, would this even out in the eyes of colleges?
I’ve taken 2 APs (Physics 1 - 4 and Chemistry - 5), 2 SAT II Subject Tests (Math 2C - 800 and Chemistry - 800), and 2 SAT1 tests (1520 and 1560), and am planning on taking 6 APs and one additional subject test this spring.
In terms of extracurriculars, I have tried to engage myself in a wide array of activities, of which include:
- Coxing for the varsity rowing team for 2 years
- Diving (this is my second year)
- Visual Art
- Music (I play the trombone and euphonium)
- MUN (I have gotten 1 best delegate award)
- Asian Student Alliance (secretary)
- School Newspaper (I write articles and draw graphics)
- Yearbook (I’m a co-editor-in-chief)
- Tutoring
- I co-founded a Liberty in North Korea chapter on my campus, and we’ve participated in some conferences and events
- I gave a TEDx talk last year
- I am planning on competing in the Chemistry Olympiad this year
Additionally, I have attended 2 summer programs (Brown’s STEM II Program and Yale’s YYGS Program under the Politics, Law and Economics course), and have presented and published a research paper on student amphetamine use.
I am currently trying to decide what major I should choose, but am currently leaning towards either Public Health or Chemistry. My dream university is currently either Yale, Brown, UPenn, or JHU, but I am a little worried given the competitive nature of these schools. Given my current profile, are these schools still within my reach? Are there some other colleges I should point towards instead? Thanks so much!