My (Updated) Chances at my dream school?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

HI, I was wondering if any of the CC community could offer some thoughts and advice regarding my chances at admissions at the schools I was researching…(The list is listed, but not exhaustive as I will probably add some additional local safety schools.)

Profile: Asian (Chinese) male - mid-upper socio-economic scale
Coming from competitive Bay Area High school in California
Interested in Poli Sci/Public Policy/Political economy

Interested (but not exhaustive) schools:

  1. Georgetown University
  2. Brown University
  3. Cornell University
  4. University Of Pennsylvania
  5. UC Berkeley
  6. UC Irvine
  7. UC Davis
  8. UC San Diego

Note: Our high school grades by semester; there are 2 semesters (or “terms”) in a school year.

High school courses:
9th grade (1st term AND 2nd term)
Biology
Modern World History
Algebra 1
PE 1
Video Production
English 1

10th grade (1st term)
English 2 Honors (grade: B)
Geometry (grade: A)
Physics (grade: A)
PE 2 (grade: A)
Computer Programming (grade: A)
Latin 1 (grade: A)

10th grade (2nd term)
English 2 Honors (grade: A)
AP Human Geography (grade: A)
Geometry (grade: A)
Physics (grade: A)
PE 2 (grade: A)
Health Education (grade: A)
Latin 1 (grade: A)

11th grade (1st term)
AP Statistics (grade: B)
AP English Language and Composition (grade: A)
AP Environmental Science (grade: A)
AP United States History (grade: A)
Algebra 2/Advanced Algebra (grade: A)
Latin 2 (grade: A)

11th grade (2nd term)
AP Statistics (grade: B)
AP English Language and Composition (grade: A)
AP Environmental Science (grade: A)
AP United States History (grade: A)
Algebra 2/Advanced Algebra (grade: A)
Latin 2 (grade: A)

12th grade (1st term) PROSPECTIVE
AP MICroeconomics
AP United States Government and Politics
AP Psychology
AP Computer Science Principles
Latin 3 / chemistry (have not decided)
Pre Calculus
English (regular, non AP)

12th grade (2nd term) PROSPECTIVE
AP MACroeconomics
AP Comparative Government and Politics
AP Psychology
AP Computer Science Principles
Latin 3 / chemistry (have not decided)
Pre-Calculus
English (regular, non AP)

Leadership/Extracurriculars:
[in SCHOOL]
Vice President of Chess Club as Junior
CA State (junior HS) Chess Championship individual 9th place
2 consective year School chess team State Champions

  • Parliamentary Debate JV 3 years

[OUTside of SCHOOL]

  • Part of local Library Leadership Organization group of 4 students that collaborated to produce a project that gives back to the community - promoting STEM in kids learning, games, activities, etc (~75 hours) (Summer '17)
  • Intern at SF Supervisor’s office (~70 hrs) → Drafted legislation, mentored by legislative aide, office work, media roundups
  • Data Analyst/Opposition Researcher/Canvasser for campaign for Supervisor (~40 hours)
  • Communications director for Local Chess Club (Bright Knights Chess Club of SF)

Finally…Standardized Test scores…[drumroll…]

SAT: 1420 (Took it November of Junior Year…should i re-take it??)

These are some of my classifications…I was wondering if the CC community could provide some advice, criticisms towards my “resume” so far…Also, which class’ teachers should I try to obtain recommendation letters from? To reiterate, I am interested in political science or public policy which hopefully may ultimately propel me into governmental relations.

If you took your time to read the whole long list, I thank you.
If you did that, and replied, I am indebted to you.

*PS. Should any questions arise, feel free to reply to this thread with your question(s), and I will answer as soon as possible.

Again, thanks so much CC Community!

2

Yes, you should definitely retake the SAT. 1420 is very low for the schools on your list.

3

Did you take the three SAT II exams Gtown wants to see? If it is your top choice school you should do so.
Also agree about retaking the SAT if you want a shot at the top schools on your list.

4

Try and join varsity debate. It seems like it can make a reasonable difference in your extracurriculars. I’m being picky because college admissions officers will be. Congrats on your internship! It seems to be a great opportunity. Enjoy it and it would be great to get a rec letter from an advisor there.

Also, I would strongly encourage you taking AP English next year if you’re school offers it. Since you’re a poli sci or poli sci related major, you’ll want to have taken ALL English and social studies for APs offered at your school - especially for those big Ivy names.

5

I was planning on taking Math level 2, English, and United States History - Do you think it would be possible to score 750+ on all of those in one year?..Considering I am only taking algebra 2 in my Junior year…Also, do you know if the English subject test is easier or harder than the AP English Language and Composition exam vs. the SAT I English portion? Lastly, should I take a science course in my senior year (like Chemistry), or my third year of Latin? As for science courses, I took biology in 9th grade, physics in 10th, and AP Environmental Science…Thanks

6

I am already flooded with work this junior year, so i am not sure if I can put in the time and effort to make varsity. (As that would require one to score well at several tournaments) Do you recommend me to ask my Supervisor for a recommendation letter? I can definitely obtain one from my “advisor” or legislative aide there… In terms of AP English for seniors, it would have to be AP English LITerature and Composition…I am already taking AP English LANGuage and Compostion as a junior…From what I have heard, Lit is a lot more difficult and rigorous than Language…My history and English progression has been (and will probably be):

9th grade: Modern World History, 10: AP Human Geography 11: AP United States History 12th: AP US Gov, AP Comp Gov, AP Micro/Macro Econ, AP Psychology…The only AP Social studies that I would NOT have taken will be AP World History and AP European History.

English: 9th: English 1, 10th: English 2 Honors, 11th: AP English Language & Composition, 12th: AP English Literature & Comp.??
If I do opt to take AP Literature, my senior schedule would be a rigorous one: 1) Latin III/Science 2) Precalculus 3) AP English Literature 4) AP Psychology 5) AP Gov 6) AP Econ 7) AP Computer Science Principles

7

Your curriculum schedule, grades, and extracurriculars are very impressive. It is okay to have a few Bs in there and it is also okay to not take every single AP. You seem to be taking a challenging enough amount of AP classes so I would stick with your current senior schedule if you think you can manage it.
From my perspective as an ACT/SAT tutor at a tutoring center, I work with a lot of kids trying to raise ACT/SAT scores to get into selective schools-- I think that should be your goal! Raise your SAT score to somewhere around a 1500 (33 ACT). If you are struggling to improve your SAT score, try out the ACT test.

For Georgetown specifically, I would also recommend taking the 2-3 SAT subject tests that are requested by the school. If you can score above a 690 on the SAT subject tests they are good to submit. SAT Subject tests are different from the actual SAT in that you do not have to study as much or study strategies as much - if you took the right classes in high school you can usually get a good score on an SAT subject test by studying just a few weeks beforehand.
If you think you have a good grip on Latin try the SAT subject for that and maybe try a math1 or 2 subject test!

Also remember; although numbers play a big role in admissions, scores and grades aren’t everything. Keeping up with those impressive extra curricular and writing AMAZING essays on the college apps will go a long way :slight_smile:

8

You should be admitted to Irvine, San Diego & Davis, but denied by the rest of your targeted schools due to low SAT score & non-distinctive/distinguishing ECs.

9

The school ECs are chess and debate. The outside includes intern and data analyst, but these are few hours. (The equivanent of two full weeks/1 full week.) OP, anything else you just didn’t include here?

And it seems bio and physics are your only core sciences, neither AP. Then, a decision betweem chem and Latin 3. Missing chem won’t bring you to 3 sci cores, missing a third year of foreign lang is also an issue. (Is this schedule going to be noted by the GC as “most demanding?”) Meanwhile, you loaded up on APs like enviro and stats, psych and two CS courses. Do check the recommended hs prep for all these targets.

We don’t know your SAT breakout, but yes, 1420 is low. No AP scores shown here.

And you’re from one of the areas of the country that produce the most competitive applicants. As a junior, you need to see how you can fine tune the ECs, up the commitment (other than chess,) add some comm service (non-stem, preferably not with younger kids,) and see what you can do with the 12th grade course schedule.

First, make sure you have an idea what those targets look for.

10

Hi @lookingforward , thanks for the comment. First, I did forget to leave out an EC - I volunteered with a local volunteering group named Heart In Motion for about 2.5 years and accumulated around 120 hours. As far as chem and Latin, what would you recommend? I probably will take the SAT again, and my AP scores are as follows…I scored a 4 on AP Human Geo and have not taken any other AP Exams, as I am, again, currently a Junior. Any additional comments and/or advice? Thanks again.

11

Thank you! I had an additional question - what Subject tests do you think I should take? Should it relate to my major? I am currently planning on taking the Math II, US History, and English subject tests…Thanks!