**Decision: Accepted w/ Kluge Scholar Recognition **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): 1540: 790M - 750E - 8/8/8 Essay
SAT I superscore (breakdown M/CR/W/Essay): Took in one sitting
ACT (breakdown): N/A
ACT superscore (breakdown): N/A
SAT II (subject, score): 800 Physics - 800 Chemistry - 750 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: School uses 100 point scale: 103
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/317
AP (place score in parentheses): (5) APUSH - (5) Calculus AB - (5) Chemistry - (5) English Language/Comp. - (4) Physics 1 - (4) World History
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP American Govt./Politics, AP English Lit./Comp, AP Physics C, AP Statistics, AP Physics 2, DE Intro to Art, DE Intro to Psychology, DE Calculus 2 (BC)
Number of other applicants in your school: I know of at least one student who was deferred-> rejected, but that’s all
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, etc.): National Hispanic Recognition Scholar
Common Awards (AP Scholar, honor roll, NM things, etc.): AP Scholar w/ Distinction, NMSQT Commended, School departmental Spanish award, High Honor Roll w/ distinction all four years
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (name, grade levels, leadership, description):
Soccer (Captain 9,10, Varsity 11,12)
Volleyball (Captain 10, Varsity 10,11,12)
In the process of starting Science Olympiad (12)
Science League (Captain 10,11,12)
Debate Team (10,11)
NHS (11,12)
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community Service:
Month Long Service Trip to Peru (Summer between 10 & 11)
Habitat for Humanity (10,11,12)
Summer Experience:
Biophysics/Neuroscience Research at TCNJ (Summer between 11 & 12)
Writing (Subject, 1-10 rating, details):
Essays:
Common App: 8/10 - I wrote this the night before the common app was due, no lie. I changed my whole topic last minute because I felt it was cheesy, new topic was more down to earth, and a better picture of who I really am
Why Columbia: 9/10 - Felt this one was very strong. Centralized on a couple ideas that really shows how Columbia fits my aspirations.
Passion: 8/10 - A little unusual, but a good picture of what makes me interested in my passions, and shows some of what makes me unique
Teacher Recommendation #1: Physics 1: 9/10 - One of my teacher’s favorites, had him for two years, known him for three, helped inspire me to pursue physics, coached some of my sports and sponsored my clubs, fooled around a bit during class senior year so that’s why I put 9/10 and not 10/10 XD.
Teacher Recommendation #2: English Lang: 7/10 - Was very involved in class and she liked my writing style, knew my focus was on STEM and not the humanities, but still one of her favorite students with a very friendly relationship
Counselor Rec: 7/10 - Got to read this one, was pretty formulaic, but did include some bits about my personality that seemed unique and genuine
Additional Info/Rec: Research mentor and professor from TCNJ: 9/10- Read this one, spoke highly of my knack for science and ability to pick up new skills quickly, talked a bit about my personality and how I would perform well in research settings in the future.
Interview: Didn’t get one 
Art Supplement: N/A
Other
Date Submitted App: Last day possible… Jan. 1?
Intended Major: Physics/Astrophysics with concentrations in Computer Science and Philosophy/Political Science (still a lot to decide)
U.S. State/Territory or Country: NJ
School Type: Suburban Public
Ethnicity: White Hispanic
Gender: M
Income Bracket Range: High
Hooks (URM, first generation, recruited athelete, development): URM w/ National Hispanic Scholar Recognition
Reflection
Strengths: Target range SAT, Perfect SAT essay, strong why Columbia essay, GPA, research experience, URM
Weaknesses: Lack of spectacular EC’s and leadership positions, lack of SciOly medals which most STEM applicants to top schools have, lack of major awards, 4 on the AP test of my intended major
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: URM might have played a part, but I like to think it’s because I worked super hard in high school to be successful right from the start, and made plenty of sacrifices to put myself in positions to succeed academically.
What would you have done differently?: Started research earlier in high school, started Science Olympiad earlier in high school, entered into some science competitions like ISEF and Siemens earlier to set myself apart more
Where else did you apply?
Accepted: Rutgers Honors College w/ large scholarship, Washington University in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins University, UC Berkeley, Cornell University, Columbia University
Waitlisted: Duke, Brown, Penn, Princeton
Deferred->Rejected: Yale
Rejected: Harvard, Stanford
General Comments & Advice:
For younger kids in HS, the biggest thing is to get involved in your passion as early as possible. Colleges don’t want well rounded students, but rather a well rounded class. The most attracive candidates are ones that are exceptional at their passion of choice, whether it be a scientific field, an instrument, a sport, writing, etc. I wish I could have gotten involved in my passion of research earlier and maybe entered into some Intel and Siemens science fair competitions to set myself apart more. It’s a little unfair that students are expected to make up their minds so early, but that’s what they look for.
For older kids, the college process is sporadic, and chances are if you’re still reading, you will go far not based on what college you end up at, but rather your character and desire to succeed.
Finally, to everyone: The best thing for anyone to do right now is promptly leave this website. I remember staying up late at night reading through countless results threads like this one, and I’d reccomend not doing that; these threads aren’t healthy for someone’s state of mind, and I feel they do not accurately represent the college applicant community. If anyone has any questions, feel free to message me. Good luck to all, and congrats to everyone who was accepted.
I’m excited to be a Lion! #roar22
