OK plan?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Asian male. My main interest is definitely mathematics, which I plan to study in college (I don't think I'll major though, my parents think it'll restrict future job opportunities too much, and to be honest, heh, I don't think I'd be able to handle it). I'm hoping to major in economics/computer science and someday work in quantitative finance (dunno how competitive it is to land a job at hedge funds). </p>

<p>I am applying early to UMich at Ann Arbor, UChicago, and MIT</p>

<p>If I get into UChicago or MIT or both, I will prolly apply to Stanford, Harvard, Princeton regular</p>

<p>If I get into just UMich, I will probably, in addition to the ones I named above (or possibly cut some, not completely sure), apply to Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley.</p>

<p>If I get into no colleges early, then I will probably apply to some instate schools as well.</p>

<p>Does this seem like a decent plan?</p>

<p>Er, so stats and stuff</p>

<p>GPA: UW approx 3.82 to 3.87 (sorry for the lack of specificity here, but the only time I ever saw my transcript was when I got a copy that I had to mail to my car insurance company), W - 4.3 something
Class Rank: definitely top 10%, probably top 5%, but I can't say any more with certainty (heh, I'm noticing a trend here)</p>

<p>SAT: 2250 (760 V 800 M 690 W)
SATII: 800 MathIIC, 770 Physics, 760 Bio M, 720 US History
APs: 5 Calc BC, 5 Macro, 4 American History</p>

<p>Senior year schedule: AP courses in English, Micro, Chem, Physics C Mech, Stat, Comp Sci A</p>

<p>Main Awards:
American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) qualifier, 3 times - (9-11)
5th place individual in Westchester-Putnam Math League - (11)
Westchester-Putnam A Team for New York State Math League (NYSML) - (10-11)
National Merit Semifinalist
score of 99 on Level 6 (highest level) New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Piano Solo (10)</p>

<p>academic activities:
Math Team - (10-11)
attended Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics (HCSSiM), 6 week program in Amherst, MA (summer after 11)
online math class in multivariable calculus from Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY) through Stanford University (12)
online math classes in probability, counting, and complex numbers at ArtOfProblemSolving.com - (10)
Columbia Science Honors Program (Saturday morning program) (SHP) - (10)
Science Olympiad team - (11)
Internship at this startup web company, doing some programming work/see some of the business aspects, just got it so the details aren't exactly known to me, supposedly I'll be working 2-3 hrs a day, but I'm not sure.</p>

<p>EC stuff:
piano lessons - (1998-1999, 2002-present) 7 yrs
violin lessons - (2005-2006) 2 yrs
school concert band, orchestra - (9-11)
racquetball lessons, some local tournaments - 9th grade, started back in 4th grade or so
tennis lessons beginning end of 10th, JV tennis team (11)</p>

<p>Thanks to everyone who offers feedback!</p>

2

<p>good chance at UMich</p>

<p>okay chances at MIT</p>

3

<p>Oh, I forgot to mention that I go to a public HS with graduating class of a little over 300 students. I'm retaking the SAT this Oct (the one I listed was my first/only attempt).</p>

<p>Does anyone know of any other good schools for comp sci/economics/math, besides the ones I listed?</p>

4

<p>u mentioned carnegie mellon, but maybe u didnt knwo that its the #2 best quantitative analysis school in the country.</p>

5

<ol>
<li>Your chances look great. Sounds like a cool plan; you would be a good financier.</li>
<li>Don't restrict your major because of what your parents deem appropriate. It's not their life; it's yours. Study math and studio art if you want, just as long as it's what you really WANT to study.</li>
</ol>

6

<p>Actually, Harvard, Princeton, and especially Stanford will be your reaches. You're not well-rounded enough to have a good shot at Stanford.</p>

<p>However, MIT is only a slight reach / high match for you (hey you're an Asian male, it's nearly the best you can do). Dedication to math is great, and that is something you definitely show. Also, those AIME qualifications will really help you out, as there's a specific spot on their app for those. Did you ever make the USAMO?</p>

<p>Ann Arbor and UChicago are matches. I think you'll be pleased in December.</p>

7

<p>Hmm, some varying responses, but thank you all for responding.</p>

<p>Do you think I should apply to some less competitive schools as well, or is my current list sufficient? I was thinking that I would get into one of UMich and UChicago, and that if I did not, I would find out in time to scramble together applications elsewhere (I'm hoping to finish my UMich application in time to receive notification in one of the early rounds in early/mid November).</p>

<p>In response to your question SinisterCharity, I have not qualified for the USAMO (heh, I hope you didn't make your evaluation based on the assumption that I did). I've gotten a score of 4 all three times that I've taken the exam, hehe. </p>

<p>Quick aside: My freshman year, I expected as much, and I think I got every question that I legitimately answered correct (maybe one careless mistake), but those sophomore and junior year scores should have been higher, I mean, I'm pretty sure I've improved, lol. Ugh, the AIME has go to be by far the most frustrating test I've ever taken.</p>

<p>The fact that HYPS are reaches comes as no surprise, and in fact, are not my top choices (UChicago and MIT are). However, hypocritically (and somewhat guiltily), I must ask, does the fact that my dad went to grad school at Princeton help my application there in anyway? His Ph.D. adviser was this guy: <a href="http://www.ee.princeton.edu/people/Sturm.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ee.princeton.edu/people/Sturm.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Heh, I also have an uncle once removed (I believe that's the term, he's my dad's younger cousin) who just got his Ph.D. from Stanford... man, why'd I get dumber, lol.</p>

8

<p>I'm not sure, but the fact that your father went to Pton for grad school will probably offer a very slight boost, if any, to your application there.</p>

9

<p>Just remember that Ivies are reaches for everyone. Everyone. Regardless of their grades and scores. </p>

<p>But your stuff looks really, really good and you will certainly be a contender for all the schools you're considering.</p>

10

<p>Are there any other schools (where my chances of admittance are higher) that I should apply to, given my interests?</p>

<p>As of right now, I'm sort of counting on getting into UMich (I know of three seniors from my school last year who are there now, at least one of them in the LSA Honors program). But I realize now that this might not such a good idea.</p>

11

<p>Heh, can anyone answer that question? That was my reason for making this post in the first place, lol. I'm having trouble deciding whether or not to apply to more less selective colleges.</p>

12

<p>Hmm, I'm considering forgetting even applying to Stanford or Harvard (or both), and maybe add some different schools, namely Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley. This would make my final list look like this:</p>

<p>Early:
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
University of Chicago
MIT</p>

<p>Regular:
Carnegie Mellon
UC Berkeley
Princeton</p>

<p>Does this seem like a good list??</p>

13

<p>Apply to some safety schools, I think Georgia Tech might be one you'd like.</p>

14

<p>Do I need to add more schools that aren't as competitive?</p>

<p>(This is NOT a poorly disguised bump.)</p>

15

<p>i think u can get in MIT, if ur lucky, cuz that seems like the most important thing in MIT admissions as far as i can see -_-
maybe not EA but probably regular :)</p>

16

<p>ooh can u chance mee please
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/414918-i-love-mit-but-prob-wont-get.html#post4883403%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/414918-i-love-mit-but-prob-wont-get.html#post4883403&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>