Hi! I am a junior and I just wanted some feedback and maybe suggestions on how I may have a better chance.
Academics
SAT 1: 1520 (740 on math and 780 on reading, but planning to retake)
SAT 2: Bio M 800, Chem 730, and I plan on taking Math 2 in June
Unweighted GPA: 97.5
College courses: AP World History, AP Language and Composition, AP US History, college physics, AP Biology, AP Literature and Composition, AP Calculus BC, AP Macroeconomics (I have taken maximum amount that I can)
Major awards: National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, Gold Medal National Spanish Exam (9th grade), Silver Medal National Spanish Exam (10th grade)
Extracurriculars: Student government (I organized and co-hosted a fashion show that raised $2000 for Alzheimer’s), tutoring at library (I recruit volunteers for this program), UNICEF club (I co-founded this club and am treasurer), Empire State Youth Orchestra, violinist in school’s select orchestra, school newspaper (editor)
Volunteer work: Volunteer 2 hours/week at local hospital since 9th grade, tutor at town library, regional food bank
Research: Alzheimer’s research at Siena college
Job experience: sales assistant at Marshalls (only summer before 11th grade)
School type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Hooks: First generation college student, single parent
You’re a competitive applicant to those school. First generation will most definitely be a hook for you! Applying ED is a good idea cuz colleges usually fill up 50% of their class early.
Duke: Your toughest admit of any of these places, I’d guess you’ll have around a 30-40% chance of admission. You’re competitive, though.
Hopkins: If you’re applying to the general school, and not to BME or anything like that, you’ve got a good chance, around 40-50%.
Brown: A similarly tough admit to Duke, around 30-40% chance
Tufts: Higher chance here, maybe 50-60%
Georgetown: Similar to Tufts, I’d guess around 50-60%
Obviously, add some safeties to your list, but I think that’s a pretty good, if somewhat on the smaller side, college list for you. Keep your grades up, try and figure out what you want to “sell” yourself as to colleges and do things that align with that story. Good luck, you’re on track to be a solid applicant.
Tufts is your best bet. For the other colleges, I would recommend trying to separate yourself from other Asian applicants and think about something other than violinist and newspaper editor. Consider something that is truly unique.
Your National Spanish Exam awards do set you apart, I think. I agree that you should think about some different extracurriculars, since charity/government/tutoring/violin are all pretty standard. What are you planning on majoring in?
I would say Tufts and Georgetown lean in, Hopkins likely waitlist, and Duke likely rejection. If you could strengthen your extracurriculars a bit, maybe over the summer, your chances would be a bit more optimistic.
Chance me back?
You’ve got some good academics and first-gen is definitely a hook but being Asian is definitely gonna set you back. I’d say you’ve got a decent shot (60%ish) at getting into Tufts and Georgetown, JHU is probably a tossup, probably waitlist (as long as you’re not looking to get into BME), and Duke is gonna be a waitlist/rejection I think… I’d take a look at some of the things you do outside of school. Make sure you really have something you’re truly passionate about that you spend a lot of time on so you can use that as a basis around which to build your essays. Best of luck!