I’m currently a junior.
SAT: 2140 (670 Math, 740 CR, 730 Writing)
Though math is usually my best section, so I’ll likely be able to boost this up to around a 2200 by my 2nd try. I might get an 800 on it since I’ll be focusing on math over the summer for fun and maybe gain some insight that will help.
-GPA: 95/100 (Unsure of what that is in a 4.0 scale)
-Class Rank: 9/110 (Top 9%)
-AP: AP Biology, AP Language and Composition. These are two of the hardest APs my school offers, and the school only allows a maximum of 2 APs per year. I might take three as an exception though. I’ll be taking AP Calculus, AP European History, and possibly AP Physics if it’s offered.
-EC’s: National Honor Society, National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, Chess Club (President, have won official tournaments), Comic book club, Member of the Bronx Scifest Research Program at Lehman, Vice President of Student council.
Volunteer activities: Tutoring in algebra, chemistry, and trigonometry; Science lab assisstant; Parent-teacher translator; Park ranger assisstant. In total 110 hours
Notable events: Finalist at MiT iNSPiRe; Enrolled in Cornell Summer College for 6 weeks
State: New York
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Male
School type: Public School
Hooks: Taught myself operational calculus without knowing it; Known as a motivational speaker in my school ; Curious about things that nobody thinks about too hard (i.e. baskets); Push myself to solve problems alone when everybody else wants a solution spoonfed
lncome: 30,000-48,000 (Household of 3)
Regents: ELA REG 79 (I’ll be retaking this)
GLOB HIST REG 98
ALGEBRA REG 100
GEOMETRY 96
LIV ENVIR 86
CHEMISTRY 94
I may end up being salutatorian/valedictorian of my school. I’m looking to apply to Harvard, Cornell, Massachussetts Institute of Technology, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, Brown, Duke, and the University of Chicago. Would anyone care to chance me?
I think your ECs are pretty generic. Your academic are decent though. It’s really hard to tell in your case. You’re Hispanic, and that will help quite a bit. I think you’ll make into at least one top 20 school.
It’s great to want to apply to those high-end schools, and you have a decent shot. However, please, please, fill out your list with other “backup” options. It doesn’t have to be CC, but a school that you are comfortable attending and that you will be able to afford. You need to be prepared in case there is a fluke or none of those schools admit you.
Do as the others say, but you’re a URM and wouldn’t have bad chances even if you weren’t. Great job.
Oh yeah, of course I’m applying to backup schools guys. I just wanted to see how I would fare for schools that perhaps weren’t quite in my reach yet. All schools I listed above are ideal choices, as in if I get accepted and receive sufficient money I’d be very happy to go. But there are several others I’m considering applying to, like SUNY Binghamton, CUNY Hunter College, Boston University, Stony Brook University, University of Alabama, Mount St. Mary’s University, etc. I just didn’t have a very refined list of backups yet because I haven’t visited enough of them to get a feel for their environment. I’ll be narrowing down my backups to around 5-10 schools this summer, and will be applying to the schools above and those 5-10 backups.
Thank you all for your honest inputs. I might’ve forgotten to include a few things on that list (I just realized I could’ve put down that I’m a translator and have a few leadership experiences), but I just wanted to know if I had a shot in the first place.
OK, I know of a low income hispanic student class sal, 2350 800/800 rejected to Stanford SCEA last year. Got into one of those colleges you mention applied several. Also got a couple other good offers. I felt there was an arrogance in the essay that maybe you share and that is the kiss of death. Keep it humble.
I don’t think I’m ever arrogant. As a matter of fact, I’m the least arrogant person ever and no one can deny that or me!
Poor ironic jokes aside, I appreciate the advice. I don’t think I’m one to flaunt my accomplishments (and/or lucky shots) in front of others for pure self-indulgence anyway, so I don’t believe that will be a big issue in my essay. I understand that after a certain point, the difference in academic achievements becomes a miniscule detail and everyone is pretty much on a fairly even playing field, with their character as the main divisor of their success level. So I’ll definitely keep it humble. I’m just a person among people after all. (: Thanks again!