I’m new to this so I’m just asking for opinions. I am a Native American student(rising senior) with a 3.8 UW-GPA
21 out of 492 class rank public California school 34 ACT 2120 SAT(both first time). Team captain volleyball as well as
tutoring kids in math. I want to apply early action to HYP and Stanford. What are my chances?
If you’re registered isn’t it an automatic in? I’d say you’re a good shot in if you’re registered.
If you are registered, then you have a good a shot (slightly better for being URM) as anyone. Be wary about SCEA and REA policies though.
You sound qualified based on limited information, and your Native American status should give you a huge boost. You should also consider applying to Dartmouth, whose charter involved educating Native Americans.
Yes, look up Dartmouth’s Native American program. Rather unique at a top university
You can only apply early to one of those schools since they are all single choice early action. You have a shot at all of them due to your Native American status but the schools will want to see what your level of involvement with your heritage is. Your EC’s are practically non-existent so I hope there is a lot more that you are not telling us. Best of luck!
Thank you all for initial input. My tribe is not federally recognized but has been recognized by the state of North Carolina for many years. I have an official CIB(Certificate of Indian Blood) and card from the tribe. My understanding is that all the schools that I listed(HYP and Stanford) are non-binding early action. The EC’s are by far my weakest point. There are a few other things that I can add(accepted into Los Angeles Pediatric Society MD shadow program this summer for example.) I am a SAG member due to some TV and commercial work but that is not service related. Should I list that? I know it is important to have great EC’s but at this point in the game is it possible to remedy the situation?
Confirming HYPS are not open EA, so you’d need to pick one. Even though you’re not “registered”, your evidence should probably suffice if you explain its significance.
That is true, but they all use “single choice” or “restrictive” (which is the same thing) early action: you can only apply to one of the 4 early action, though you are not bound by an acceptance and can go ahead and apply RD to other schools. The benefit to you is that you show heightened interest in 1 school which increases your chances, and if you get in you don’t have to worry about safeties. The benefit to the school is that it forces highly qualified applicants to put some thought into which of those 4 ultra-elite schools they prefer, which increases the enrollment rate for accepted applicants.
There have reportedly been violations of this policy, but if reported they could result in an admissions offer being rescinded, so I wouldn’t recommend it.
One, if you parse down on admissions at the listed schools, the accepted rates for Native students is actually closer to 18-19%, so, one can see that these institutions that that feature as a serious hook. I would go with your ACT, not SAT, where applicable.
Also, I would take great consideration in your personal statement to integrate your relationship with your native community and how that affects both your education and career aspirations. Without telling you what to write, having an articulated responsibility back to your tribe will go a long ways and resonates with admissions folks. By way of background, middle D is at Y, and native. PM if you need more specific assistance or counsel.
I’m so grateful that you all clarified the EA situation. Saved me from huge mistake. I will try to narrow down to Yale or Stanford and apply Dartmouth RD. Any thoughts about Y vs. S? I love Yale but I love California weather. My high school counselor told me that while lots of EC’s are great but it is better to do fewer things well and for multiple years. Any thoughts?
I’d visit both (if at all possible) and make a clear choice. Any thoughts on a major? You’re already in California so it may be beneficial to apply to Stanford (unless you want to travel far to CT).
Just to clarify, you can apply to all of HYPS. It’s only EA where you have to pick one (and also not apply EA or ED to any other schools, if you do go that route).
Just to clarify for example, I would apply only to Stanford EA and HYP RD? Correct?
Yes.
If you apply to (say) Stanford REA and get in, you are golden. You already have an admission to a top school, and you wouldn’t have applied REA if it wasn’t your #1 or #2 choice at that time. Some people never go further. Others apply to a handful of competitive schools, to keep their options open, to see who offers the most financial aid, or for other reasons.
Ditto, Rdad hit it on the head.
I want to go into Economics or Medicine. I am worried that lack of EC’s will keep me out of top schools. Presently have Volunteer Math Tutor at school that target potential failures, Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Program, Team captain on high school volleyball team, SAG member(don’t know if this counts), YCS(Youth Citizenship Seminar) at Pepperdine, Kitten Foster Care Project, Getting Spirit Foundation(helping homeless in Los Angeles). What more can I do at this point?
It sounds good because it shows dedication and passion for a few intrinsic things. It also shows leadership. I’d just talk thise activities up on your apps to further help your case.