OK, updated a few things...

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Posted a few months ago. Since then, I’ve updated my scores and discovered a few things from my guidance office. One of them suggested that I apply to 12-15 schools (so I can get the best financial aid package) and that I not visit any colleges besides my safeties (i.e.-don’t visit MIT unless you are admitted; it can only lead to disappointments.) So, with this in mind, what are my chances at the following schools? (in no particular order):</p>

<li> MIT</li>
<li> Caltech</li>
<li> Princeton</li>
<li> Harvard</li>
<li> Rice</li>
<li> Harvey Mudd</li>
<li> UCLA</li>
<li> UC Berkeley</li>
<li> UC Santa Barbara</li>
<li> Cornell</li>
<li> University of Maryland: College PArk</li>
<li> Johns Hopkins</li>
<li> Stanford</li>
<li> University of Chicago</li>
<li> Virginia Tech</li>
</ol>

<p>All of the California schools were advised by my counselor. If ANY college on my list doesn’t belong (or I missed a college that I should apply to) please let me know.</p>

<p>OK, now the stats:</p>

<p>white male
intended major: physics and/or mathematics
Freshman GPA: 3.65
Sophmore GPA: 3.85
Junior GPA: 4.35 (Note sure how to convert this…)
SAT: 1450 - 770M,680V
1560 - 780M,780V
SAT II: Math- 740 & 800
US- 720 & 800
Physics- 800
APs: Calc BC-5/5
Lang-5
Physics B-4
Chemistry-4
Senior year classes:
AP Lit
Calc3/Diffeq (through Catholic University; also doing an independent study on linear algebra for my internship)
AP Comp Sci (already fluent in C/C++ and Java)
AP Physics C
Latin 3 (also took 3 years of French; just hated the new teacher)
Research Practicum (basically an all year science fair)</p>

<p>I will be doing original research all year at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (only 3 high schoolers in this program) in the area of quantum information science.</p>

<p>ECs:
Eagle Scout
Vigil Honor of the Order of the Arrow (outstanding service to the lodge)
National Junior Leader Instructor Camp
2 years Council Leadership Training Staff
Ceremonies Team 3 years, Committe Chairman 1 year
Chapter Vice Chief 2 years
Troop line positions (SPL, ASPL, QM, TOAR, etc.)
(As you can see, my PASSION outside of school is Scouting)
Varsity Swim team all 4 years
NHS-community service committee, calculus/physics tutoring</p>

<p>I think that is everything…Thanks again in advance!</p>

2

<p>The list looks pretty good, although it sounds like you're applying to most (if not all) of those schools merely because of their reputation and nothing else. While reputation is important, there are other things to consider, like college life, school atmosphere, etc. These are things you should look into, and that you can get a good idea of from visiting.</p>

<p>Plus, most colleges will ask you an essay question like "Why do you want to attend [insert university]?" You can write a much stronger essay if you've visited the university and know more intimate details about it, rather than just submitting a really bland, generic essay. </p>

<p>Oh, and - you need to take the new SAT I (or the ACT+Writing if you prefer) very, very soon. I'm sure several of the schools on your list require it before the rest of your application is even considered.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for posting so quickly!
Yeah, I know my list seems pretty watered-down...Do you not think that my counselor's strategy works? Quite honestly, I would otherwise have only applied to about 6 of them...
As far as the new SAT is concerned, I thought that most colleges were accepting either/or. I'm trying to avoid it (three times seems like too many to me.)</p>

4

<p>Normally that would be fine, but you didn't take the SAT II Writing section, and as of March 2005, it's no longer offered. You'll have to check each individual college's website (and I suggest you do this ASAP) and find out what standardized testing they require.</p>

<p>You'll find that the majority of the schools you're applying to will require either the Old SATI+Writing or the New SATI. </p>

<p>I personally don't like your counselor's strategy, but hey, I'm a high school senior and your counselor's a counselor. :)</p>

5

<p>If you apply to all those schools, you will definitely have to take the new SAT. Some on your list do not require it. However, others on your list will accept only the new SAT. Yet others will accept either the new SAT or the old SAT plus SAT II writing, which is no longer available. I urge you to contact these schools as soon as possible to find out the test requirements at each one.</p>

6

<p>Sorry buddy, you gotta take the new SAT (or the ACT/writing)!</p>

<p>From the looks of it now, half the colleges are reaches, the other half are matches.</p>